Cattle Industry Responds to Katrina’s Wallop

NCBA Rep Sees Damage Firsthand

NCBA Southeast Field Representative Melanie Sojourner, who is based in Mississippi, reports that in her area there has been an extreme need for fuel.  As power is being restored, it is getting better but the need is still there.  While there have been efforts to get fuel from neighboring states, some have capped what they will let go at one time.  In Mississippi, numerous fuel stations have been put under control of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) disaster relief efforts. 

Dairies are hard hit and some have been forced to let some cows dry up and others are choosing to disperse their herds.  All their available fuel is directed toward milking, which has been reduced to once a day.

Because the storm hit at the end of the month, cash is in short supply.  Banks are closed and have no power and there is no way for them to access records or for their customers to get cash. Food is in short supply; since there is no power, stores aren’t open and there isn’t enough fuel to make deliveries.

Sojourner visited some of the hard-hit areas in her region and said some of the needs from local farmers include:  fuel, everything for electric fencing including solar panels, t-post, polywire, barb wire, roofing tin, plywood, 2X4’s, nails, screws, electrical supplies, including 200 amp meter bases, wire to handle 110 and 220 currents, generators that are 50-100 kilowatts and water troughs, as many ponds have become contaminated with debris or salt water.  A number of cattle have already been killed due to salt water contamination, and others were killed from falling trees. 

Good quality hay is needed.  Also, a few dairy farmers with excellent herds are interested in finding legitimate buyers to work with as they are considering selling out.  Contact John Braly at 303-850-3396 if you are interested in the dairy animals.

 The National Cattlemen’s Foundation also will compile a list of those willing to assist with rebuilding fence, gathering cattle and donating trucking.

Also, there have been offers of housing from Florida and California.  Should anyone be interested, the Foundation will help coordinate the needs with the available housing.

NCBA is diligently working with industry partners to meet the needs of cattlemen affected by this hurricane. NCBA members are proud to serve this industry at all times, especially when help is most needed. Fellow cattlemen in the damaged areas truly appreciate your sacrifice and help to ease their struggle to rebuild what Hurricane Katrina destroyed.