Taking Stock for Disasters: Developing a Large Animal Preparedness Plan
Texas A&M University
When a disaster is on the horizon, timely evacuation can become that much more challenging for owners whose horses and livestock can’t simply squeeze into the back seat. These animals often depend entirely on their owners to shield them from the elements within their pasture, so having a proper plan in place is vital for their safety.
Kyle Johnson, a clinical assistant professor at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, offers insight into disaster risks and preparedness methods for large animal owners.
The Threat of Wind, Water, and Wildfires
Natural disasters that can impact horses and livestock include seasonal concerns like extreme summer heat and winter ice as well as sudden events like hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, and wildfires. Any storm with strong winds brings the threat of flying debris.
“When airborne, this debris can cause traumatic injuries — such as lacerations and puncture wounds — to horses and livestock,” Johnson says. “These high winds can also cause barns, shelters, and other structures to collapse.”
Flooding brought on by a storm’s heavy rain is another major threat for large animals exposed to the elements. “If an animal is forced to stand in floodwaters because it is confined to a stall or a flooded pasture, it can suffer from a variety of injuries, including severe dermatitis, pneumonia, and gastrointestinal or neurological disease — collectively known as submersion injury,” Johnson says. “Floodwater can also be heavily contaminated with a variety of substances, such as petroleum products,
2025 Year-Letter is N
In accordance with the Beef Improvement Federation guidelines, the year-letter animal identification for 2025 is N, and will be followed by P in 2026, and R in 2027. The letter M was the year-letter designated during 2024. Per the BIF guidelines, the following letters are not used: I, O, Q, and V.
Office Holiday Schedule
Monday, September 1
Labor Day
Thursday, November 27 & Friday, November 28
Thanksgiving
Wednesday, December 24, Thursday, December 25 & Friday, December 26 agricultural and industrial chemicals, pesticides, and bacterial organisms like E. coli.”
Christmas .
Completing nature’s triple threat against horses and livestock is the potential harm brought by wildfires. “When these animals inhale the smoke from wildfires, it can cause irritation of their eyes and lungs,” Johnson says. “Animals may cough, have increased respiratory rates and nasal discharge. Fires can also destroy or contaminate any available forage for grazing animals. In these cases, animals will either need to be moved or high-quality forage will need to be delivered to them.
“At times like these, proper animal identification is critical, as it makes returning these animals to their owners and pastures much easier after floodwaters have receded and fires have been extinguished.”
Methods of large animal identification include:
• Microchipping
• Ear tags
• Plastic neck bands
• Branding
• Tattoos
Thinking Ahead
Simply deciding to evacuate your horses or livestock isn’t enough. Having a safe place to go is also a vital part of your plan. Furthermore, knowing how to get there and having alternate routes can also be critical to an effective evacuation.
“A vital first step in any evacuation is the ability to quickly and safely load your horses into a horse trailer,” Johnson says. “Practice makes perfect, so practicing loading your horse can be helpful for when you must leave. It’s also important to ensure that the trailer is regularly maintained.”
DNA Testing Requirements for Herdsires
In January, ASA membership voted to require a DNA test (GGP-100K genomic panel) on all herd bulls/natural service sires born on or after January 1, 2025. This new rule mimics the current DNA requirement for AI sires and donor dams.
Although the rule change isn’t immediately affecting membership, it is never too early to prepare. By collecting and submitting DNA samples on bull calves born this spring and beyond if they'll go on to sire registered calves, producers can avoid future issues.
DNA Test for Bovine Congestive Heart Failure (BCHF) Risk Now Available
A test estimating a genomic prediction for risk for development of Bovine Congestive Heart Failure (BCHF) is now available as an add-on the GGP100K ($9.50) or a standalone test ($19.50). This is not an IGS prediction but molecular breeding value based on the Simplot and Neogen partnership studying heart failure in feedlot cattle. Because this is a molecular breeding value, results will be based solely on the DNA marker information and will not include other pertinent information that goes into EPD like pedigree, breed, and performance records. The test returns a molecular breeding value for risk of progeny developing heart scores correlated to BCHF (lower number is better). The average accuracy of animals tested is 0.32 (standard deviation 0.09). At this time the results will be reported through an email but not uploaded to Herdbook. Please contact Jackie Atkins at
W/C Double Down 5014E (ASA 3336150) Pedigree Update
The American Simmental Association has completed a pedigree correction for the bull W/C Double Down 5014E (ASA 3336150) following parent-verification DNA testing on his dam, W/C Miss Werning 5014C (ASA 3211676), which resulted in a change to her recorded sire. This adjustment has altered W/C DOUBLE DOWN 5014E’s pedigree and breed composition, which in turn affects the breed composition and pedigree of his progeny. All impacted records were automatically updated in the ASA database immediately following his dam’s pedigree change. For questions regarding affected animals, please contact the ASA DNA Department at
Seeking Sire Nominations For CMP
Looking to test your top young sire across different environments? Want to enhance accuracy and gain valuable data on your young sire? The Carcass Merit Program (CMP) is for you! Since 1997, the CMP has relied on select cooperator herds to test sires; however, ASA recently added a new CMP testing avenue, which will allow for MORE SIRES to be tested annually. CMP collects vital carcass data on calves, which improves carcass trait predictions and DNA marker predictions for all cattle in the IGS genetic evaluation, and supports breeders in evaluating their young sires and advancing their genetic programs. If you’re interested in nominating a sire, fill out the nomination form at simmental.org (Programs, ASA Programs, CMP).
Sale Catalog Resources Added to ASA Website
Looking to add some information about EPD and indexes, genomics, the IGS multi-breed genetic evaluation, or the benefits of participating in ASA’s programs to your sale catalog? Look no further! ASA has compiled a folder with various resources like logos, camera-ready ads, and answers to frequently asked questions that can be used in sale catalogs or other marketing materials. Visit www.simmental.org and click on “Sale Catalog Resources” under the Marketing tab to view the material.
Hydrops Update: TraitTrac and a Recommended Marketing Statement
ASA has been investigating a developing genetic condition that causes Hydrops pregnancies in a certain line of Simmental genetics. Here are some updates in relation to this research and ASA’s actions/suggestions:
Hydrops has been added to Herdbook’s TraitTrac with WS All Aboard B80 listed as a documented carrier. At this time there are no genetic holds placed on his descendants as there is not a DNA test available yet. Once there is a test, then Hydrops will follow the same policy as other genetic conditions.
Female progeny who are descendants of or are directly sired by WS All Aboard B80 (ASA# 2852207) are at risk for carrying a genetic abnormality called Hydrops. Daughters may develop a serious condition during late gestation that results in excess fluid in the fetal membrane, which typically causes the loss of the calf and occasionally the dam. There is no current test at this time to identify animals carrying this mutation. Research is ongoing regarding the transmission of the abnormality, and to develop a genetic test. Helping our producers navigate this issue is of the utmost importance to us. Therefore, given that there is neither a full understanding of this condition nor a test, careful consideration should be given regarding the question of whether to breed WS All Aboard B80 descendant females until more information is available to breeders.
For questions regarding established WS All Aboard B80 genetics, Hydrops symptoms, reporting an active case, or additional information, please visit the Hydrops Information Center at www.simmental.org or reach out to Jackie Atkins at
Price Adjustment Notification: uLD Genomic Panel, Semen Sample Processing, and TSU Fees
Due to increased costs from ASA’s contracted laboratory, ASA will be raising the price of the ultra-Low Density (uLD or 9K) genomic panel and the processing fees for semen samples, effective immediately. Due to increased costs from the manufacturer, ASA will be raising the price of TSUs from $22/box to $23/box, effective immediately. These price adjustments are essential to cover rising expenses and production costs, and we thank you for your understanding.
If you have any questions, contact the DNA department at
Get BQA Certified
Hall reminds producers about the importance of the Beef Quality Assurance program and encourages all producers and their employees to get BQA trained and certified. The BQA program’s mission is to guide producers toward continuous improvement using science-based production practices that assure cattle well-being, beef quality, and safety. The program provides cattle producers with the resources to enable continuous improvement with the mindset of doing things the right way at the right time.
“When vaccinating or working cattle, be sure to follow BQA procedures,” Hall says. “Including proper injection sites, never mixing two different vaccines in the same syringe, using the proper-sized needle and changing them often, keeping vaccines in a cooler and out of the sun (proper vaccine handling).”
Check out the BQA Field Guide for a quick reference to information. Implementing the strategies suggested by the Extension specialists can significantly improve calf health during the weaning transition, resulting in better performance and increased profitability. .