When pastures are subjected to ashfalls and remobilization of ash by wind, evacuation of livestock to areas with good quality feed and water may be prudent. Even after evacuation, long-term inhalation of ash and exposure to fluorine may result in reduced productivity. In some cases, stock may not recover in the long-term, with humane slaughtering being the best option.
Where ashfalls affect a large area, evacuation of stock would be extremely difficult due to the logistics of moving large numbers of stock and sourcing feed in areas unaffected by the ash. This may result in large losses of livestock through dehydration and starvation and the need to slaughter affected animals.