R-CALF United Stockgrowers of America
Independent Cattlemen's Association of Texas
Phone: 512- 620-0610; e-mail: [email protected]
Partners Create 'Rancher-2-Rancher' Relief Fund
to Help Cattle Producers Hurt by Texas Wildfires
(Billings, Mont.) – R-CALF USA and the Independent Cattlemen's Association of Texas (ICA) have jointly established the "Rancher-2-Rancher Relief Fund" to assist ranchers in the Texas Panhandle who suffered damages as a result of the recent wildfires in the area. This set of fires resulted in the largest and longest-lasting blaze in Texas history.
The fires caused several fatalities, and more than 1 million acres of productive pasture were charred. While original estimates of livestock deaths totaled around 10,000, officials now think it could be less, but advise that counts are still ongoing. At least 2,500 miles of fence were destroyed. Many structures – homes, barns and outbuildings – were ruined, as were numerous vehicles and other pieces of equipment.
Although a timely rain over the weekend helped to quell the flames, several areas still are without electricity and are likely to remain so for several days. Cattle producers must now deal with dead, dying or displaced animals, and must also try to cope with the financial devastation of the tragedy and the uncertainty of what the future holds for their families.
"We want to be able to help these folks get their lives back on track," said R-CALF USA President and Region V Director Chuck Kiker, of Beaumont, Texas. "After a hit from Hurricane Rita last year, my own family had to deal with some significant challenges, and it took a few weeks to get the operation back in order.
"While that disaster was a major setback, we certainly weren't dealing with the total and absolute devastation of our livelihood like many of these Panhandle producers," Kiker continued. "With pasture grazing suddenly gone and hay prices high due to drought conditions across the state, these producers are facing unanticipated expenses that will have a tremendous impact on the survival of their cattle operation. Our hope is that this fund can ease that burden."
ICA Executive Director Bill Hyman said he is dismayed at the reports of damage and loss of livestock and property.
"Ranches that represent generations of hard work have been destroyed overnight, and we need to respond with all the support we can muster to help our fellow ranchers," Hyman emphasized.
To make a donation, send a tax-deductible check made out to the "Rancher-2-Rancher Relief Fund" and mail it to: Rancher-2-Rancher Relief Fund, P.O. Box 30715, Billings, MT 59107.
Fellow ranchers across the country who wish to donate hay can call the Texas Department of Agriculture's "Hay Hotline" at 1-877-429-1998. Also, hay, grain and fencing supplies can be dropped off at Pampa's rodeo grounds and the Roberts County Airport in Miami.
Individuals who want to make various material donations, as well as producers in need of resources or whose homes were damaged by fire can visit www.texasvipers.org so matches can be found. The website is operated by Texas Volunteers in Plains-Area Emergency Response System (Texas VIPERS).
Texas Cooperative Extension (TCE), in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA's) Natural Resource Conservation Service and Farm Service Agency, are holding educational meetings throughout the Panhandle to share information producers will need to make important management decisions due to losses from recent fires. The schedule is: March 23, 9 a.m. CST, Gray County Annex meeting room, 12125 E. Frederic, Pampa; March 23, 2 p.m. CST, First Baptist Church, 206 West 2 St., New Mobeetie; March 23, 7 p.m. CST, Family Life Center, 300 S. Carhart, Clarendon; March 28, 9 a.m. CST, Miami Community Center, 103 Main St., Miami; March 29, 8 a.m. CST, Childress City Auditorium Foyer Room, City Park, Childress; and March 29, 11 a.m. CST, Bura Handley Community Building – Club Room, 10th and Amarillo streets, Wellington.
# # #
R-CALF USA (Ranchers-Cattlemen Action Legal Fund, United Stockgrowers of America) represents thousands of U.S. cattle producers on domestic and international trade and marketing issues. R-CALF USA, a national, non-profit organization, is dedicated to ensuring the continued profitability and viability of the U.S. cattle industry. R-CALF USA's membership consists primarily of cow/calf operators, cattle backgrounders, and feedlot owners. Its members – over 18,000 strong – are located in 47 states, and the organization has over 60 local and state association affiliates, from both cattle and farm organizations. Various main street businesses are associate members of R-CALF USA. For more information, visit www.r-calfusa.com or, call 406-252-2516.
Independent Cattlemen's Association of Texas
Phone: 512- 620-0610; e-mail: [email protected]
Partners Create 'Rancher-2-Rancher' Relief Fund
to Help Cattle Producers Hurt by Texas Wildfires
(Billings, Mont.) – R-CALF USA and the Independent Cattlemen's Association of Texas (ICA) have jointly established the "Rancher-2-Rancher Relief Fund" to assist ranchers in the Texas Panhandle who suffered damages as a result of the recent wildfires in the area. This set of fires resulted in the largest and longest-lasting blaze in Texas history.
The fires caused several fatalities, and more than 1 million acres of productive pasture were charred. While original estimates of livestock deaths totaled around 10,000, officials now think it could be less, but advise that counts are still ongoing. At least 2,500 miles of fence were destroyed. Many structures – homes, barns and outbuildings – were ruined, as were numerous vehicles and other pieces of equipment.
Although a timely rain over the weekend helped to quell the flames, several areas still are without electricity and are likely to remain so for several days. Cattle producers must now deal with dead, dying or displaced animals, and must also try to cope with the financial devastation of the tragedy and the uncertainty of what the future holds for their families.
"We want to be able to help these folks get their lives back on track," said R-CALF USA President and Region V Director Chuck Kiker, of Beaumont, Texas. "After a hit from Hurricane Rita last year, my own family had to deal with some significant challenges, and it took a few weeks to get the operation back in order.
"While that disaster was a major setback, we certainly weren't dealing with the total and absolute devastation of our livelihood like many of these Panhandle producers," Kiker continued. "With pasture grazing suddenly gone and hay prices high due to drought conditions across the state, these producers are facing unanticipated expenses that will have a tremendous impact on the survival of their cattle operation. Our hope is that this fund can ease that burden."
ICA Executive Director Bill Hyman said he is dismayed at the reports of damage and loss of livestock and property.
"Ranches that represent generations of hard work have been destroyed overnight, and we need to respond with all the support we can muster to help our fellow ranchers," Hyman emphasized.
To make a donation, send a tax-deductible check made out to the "Rancher-2-Rancher Relief Fund" and mail it to: Rancher-2-Rancher Relief Fund, P.O. Box 30715, Billings, MT 59107.
Fellow ranchers across the country who wish to donate hay can call the Texas Department of Agriculture's "Hay Hotline" at 1-877-429-1998. Also, hay, grain and fencing supplies can be dropped off at Pampa's rodeo grounds and the Roberts County Airport in Miami.
Individuals who want to make various material donations, as well as producers in need of resources or whose homes were damaged by fire can visit www.texasvipers.org so matches can be found. The website is operated by Texas Volunteers in Plains-Area Emergency Response System (Texas VIPERS).
Texas Cooperative Extension (TCE), in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA's) Natural Resource Conservation Service and Farm Service Agency, are holding educational meetings throughout the Panhandle to share information producers will need to make important management decisions due to losses from recent fires. The schedule is: March 23, 9 a.m. CST, Gray County Annex meeting room, 12125 E. Frederic, Pampa; March 23, 2 p.m. CST, First Baptist Church, 206 West 2 St., New Mobeetie; March 23, 7 p.m. CST, Family Life Center, 300 S. Carhart, Clarendon; March 28, 9 a.m. CST, Miami Community Center, 103 Main St., Miami; March 29, 8 a.m. CST, Childress City Auditorium Foyer Room, City Park, Childress; and March 29, 11 a.m. CST, Bura Handley Community Building – Club Room, 10th and Amarillo streets, Wellington.
# # #
R-CALF USA (Ranchers-Cattlemen Action Legal Fund, United Stockgrowers of America) represents thousands of U.S. cattle producers on domestic and international trade and marketing issues. R-CALF USA, a national, non-profit organization, is dedicated to ensuring the continued profitability and viability of the U.S. cattle industry. R-CALF USA's membership consists primarily of cow/calf operators, cattle backgrounders, and feedlot owners. Its members – over 18,000 strong – are located in 47 states, and the organization has over 60 local and state association affiliates, from both cattle and farm organizations. Various main street businesses are associate members of R-CALF USA. For more information, visit www.r-calfusa.com or, call 406-252-2516.