“Not everyone in California is aware of the situational crisis that’s happening in Tulare, now spreading into Kings County,” said Raudabaugh. “Our members have been underwater. We’ve had to move almost 100,000 cows at this point in emergency evacuation circumstances since Wednesday of last week.”

Moving the cows has been a “herculean” effort, according to Raudabaugh. Industry members have been largely banning together to provide assistance in transporting animals to other locations. Dairy farmers that have not been impacted by flooding are helping out by housing animals where they can. Raudabaugh said some older dairies that have shut down are now being used as “literal lifeboats” for evacuated cows. The next step is getting the cows back on some kind of milking schedule. “We are working with CDFA and the state veterinarian to turn on those milking parlors as quickly as we can getting inspections done. It’s not an easy task and it’s not ideal,” said Raudabaugh.

Dairy farmers forced to move their cows are also looking at continued issues later in the season. The abundance of floodwaters has largely destroyed feed crops in the area.