From wildfires to extreme weather, being prepared isn't just a safety measure—it’s a vital strategy for protecting your family, your livestock, and your legacy.

In the MD, we know that emergencies can arise with little warning. Whether it’s a natural disaster, a disease outbreak, or a sudden accident, having a proactive plan in place ensures that you can act quickly and decisively when every second counts.

1. Build Your Farm’s Roadmap

A solid emergency plan is more than just a document; it’s a toolkit for survival. When building your plan, ensure it includes:

• Detailed Mapping: Mark all buildings, power and water sources, access points, equipment locations, and hazardous chemical storage.
• Evacuation Logistics: Designate a clear meeting place and plan for safe transportation, feed, water, and shelter for evacuated animals.
• Animal Identification: Use ear tags or tattoos for visual ID, and keep a secure file of all identification and ownership records.
• Communication: Maintain an up-to-date emergency contact list including neighbors, transporters, veterinarians, and feed suppliers.

2. Prepare Your 72-Hour Kits

During a crisis, you may need to be self-sufficient for 3 to 5 days. Ensure these kits are easily accessible to both family and staff:

• For the Household: Potable water, non-perishable high-protein food, a battery-powered or crank radio/flashlight, personal medications, and copies of essential documents and cash.
• For the Livestock: Feed and water that doesn't require power to access, first aid supplies, handling equipment (ropes, halters, fence cutters), and a master list of health and sale records.

3. Leverage Alberta’s Traceability & Alerts

Traceability protects your investment. By registering your livestock and poultry with Alberta’s Premises Identification (PID) Program, you enable local authorities to better protect and track your animals during a regional emergency.

4. The "Buddy Farm" System

Don’t go it alone. Partner with another farm that can temporarily house your animals if you are forced to evacuate. Discuss transportation, feeding schedules, and space requirements in advance, and check with your insurance provider about extending liability coverage to the "buddy" property.

More Resources for MD Producers

The MD of Lesser Slave River is committed to supporting our agricultural community in times of crisis. We encourage all producers to review and utilize the specialized Animal Emergency Plan tailored for our region. For those looking to mitigate specific risks, the Farm and Acreage: A Guide to Reducing the Risk from Wildfire is an excellent resource for proactive property management.