By DOUG SCHMITZ
Iowa Correspondent

DES MOINES, Iowa — As city residents plowed their way out of last week’s pre-winter blizzard, rural livestock producers – whose remote areas don’t often get immediate snow removal – are especially being advised to prepare for the upcoming winter months.

“With the heavy snow and strong winds that are forecasted, it is important that farmers are taking the necessary precautions,” said Iowa Agriculture Secretary Bill Northey. “Livestock producers in particular need to make sure they are able to continue caring for their animals in case roads are closed or they lose power for a few days.”

The National Weather Service in Des Moines issued a winter storm warning that went into effect last Tuesday evening and a blizzard warning through last Wednesday, with snow drifts of 8-15 feet that were also forecast. In fact, the rural community of Calmar in northeast Iowa received 13.4 inches of snow on Dec. 9, according to KCRG-TV 9 in Cedar Rapids.

Northey said farm families should prepare for potential winter weather to have the resources on hand to be able to handle several days without power and closed roads.

“It is also important that they closely monitor the health and safety of their livestock during the winter storm,” he said.

While travel advisories are generally provided by the Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT) several days in advance of a major winter storm, the IDOT cautioned rural residents to be on the alert.

“That is the window of opportunity for producers to prepare and make sure they have sufficient feed available for the emergency period,” said Dena Gray-Fisher, IDOT director of media and marketing services.

Although the IDOT does have plans in place to assist during various types of emergency situations, Grey-Fisher said these contingencies are generally coordinated through the local law enforcement or emergency management agencies.

“The services the IDOT would provide pertain to the state’s primary highway system, rather than the local secondary roads,” she added.
Currently, IDOT services on the state’s primary highway system are tiered by priority service levels, with the highest priority given to interstate routes, Grey-Fisher said.

“U.S. and state routes are assigned priority according to level of traffic on the roadway, and whether the route serves as an emergency evacuation route (i.e., fire, rescue, etc.),” she said.
“During average winter storms, service is generally restored to all roadways within 24 hours or less – often fairly quickly,” she added. “During a major event, the weather may determine how quickly roads can be restored to normal winter driving conditions, including drifting and snow accumulation.”

Because state producers mainly use county roadways rather than state highways to access their livestock, Grey-Fisher said producers may need to contact their nearest municipalities for immediate assistance.

“In an emergency situation, in particular where feed trucks must reach livestock facilities or propane is needed,” she said, “the producer should contact their local county engineer, who may be able to assist them with access.”

Northey said livestock farmers can prepare for the storm by making sure generators are accessible, ready and in good working condition; making sure livestock have plenty of feed and water; and to have reserve supplies, if needed.

Northey offered three suggestions to farmers dealing with blizzard conditions:

•If livestock farmers need generators to power environmental controls and supply water for livestock, they should contact the Iowa Concern Hotline.

•If farmers have storm-related damage, livestock losses and any critical needs, they should also contact their local Farm Service Administration office.

•If farmers have public safety-related emergencies, they should contact their county sheriff’s office.

“Farmers are experts in dealing with weather challenges, but planning ahead helps make sure you are able to deal with the unexpected,” Northey said.