Early livestock evacuation reduces risks and increases operational flexibility

A survey by INTA Paraná compared the operational decisions required to evacuate cattle during Paraná River floods in Villa Urquiza, the Victoria islands and an area near Puerto Gaboto. The analysis concludes that there is no single river level applicable to every farm because levee elevation, access to corrals and loading points, vessel capacity and navigation times differ among locations. Evacuating 500 animals in Villa Urquiza was estimated to require 18 river trips, carrying 29 head per trip, and the work of 12 people over three days. INTA recommends that each farm establish its own preparation and evacuation thresholds, update livestock inventories and coordinate vessels, personnel, corrals, trucks, receiving fields, feed, water and animal health services in advance, using current official forecasts.