Cattlemen Stepping Up to Help Fellow Farmers and Ranchers, Evacuees

NOTE: Photos of hurricane damage to agricultural operations are available upon request

DENVER (September 7, 2005) – Cattlemen from across the nation are working to bring aid to victims of Hurricane Katrina. In addition to the catastrophic damage in and around New Orleans, thousands have been left homeless and without power and water in rural areas of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. In addition to making donations to traditional relief agencies, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, state beef councils and state cattlemen’s associations are calling on all agricultural producers to contribute to the recovery effort of farm and ranch families.

"It is very important that all citizens contribute to the American Red Cross, Salvation Army, and other relief agencies as generously as they can," said Jim McAdams, a Texas rancher and president of NCBA. "But cattlemen also naturally want to help their fellow farmers and ranchers, and storm victims located in rural areas of the Gulf Cost Region. NCBA and its state affiliates are coordinating efforts to help make that happen."

The needs of badly damaged farm and ranch operations in the region include supplies, money, food and housing:

Supplies
Those who wish to donate supplies, or have leads on where to find donated supplies, may contact John Braly or Courtney Pollock of NCBA at 1-866-BEEFUSA. Several staging areas and distribution points have been established, with more still being arranged through the state cattlemen’s associations in Louisiana, Mississippi and several surrounding states. To date, 33 truckloads of materials have been donated, but much-needed supplies still include:

Fencing - poly wire, solar fence chargers, barbed wire, t-posts, clips, chain saws, staples, gates, insulators and nails

Building - Lumber, roof tin, concrete, electrical wiring, 50-100 Kw generators, fuel, meter bases

Feeding supplies - feed, hay, water troughs, large stock tanks

Labor is also needed, so NCBA will collect names of those willing to assist with rebuilding fences, gathering cattle and donating trucking or transportation services.

Money
Contributions to the relief effort to assist farmers, ranchers and rural families in the region can be sent to the National Cattlemen's Foundation, Disaster Relief Fund, 9110 East Nichols Ave., Suite 300, Centennial, CO 80112 or call 303-694-0305. As of Wednesday afternoon, over $10,000 in cash contributions had been received or pledged to this fund.

The Texas Cattle Feeders Association (TCFA) has kicked of the Cattlemen’s Katrina Fund with a $25,000 donation to the American Red Cross. TCFA’s goal is to raise $1 million for the hurricane relief effort in the next 45 days through special relief sales at livestock auctions, and donations by feedyards and packing plants equal to the value of fed cattle and individual donations by cattlemen. Checks made out to "Cattlemen’s Katrina Fund" may be sent to: TCFA, 5501 Interstate 40 West, Amarillo, TX 79106, or contact TCFA at (806) 358-3681or info@tcfa.org.

The Mississippi Cattlemen’s Association has also established a special account through the Mississippi Cattlemen’s Foundation to assist relief efforts for cattle producers impacted by the hurricane. Donations made out to the Mississippi Cattlemen’s Foundation and marked "Katrina Relief" may be sent to 680 Monroe St., Jackson, MS 39202, or call 601-354-8951 or email to missca1@bellsouth.net.

Food
The Louisiana Cattlemen's Foundation is accepting donations to help with food relief efforts. Donations will be used to purchase food for evacuees being housed and assisted at emergency shelters, with area cattlemen volunteering to prepare and serve the food. Donations to this relief effort can be mailed to: Louisiana Cattlemen's Foundation, 4921 Interstate 10 Frontage Road, Port Allen, LA 70767, or by calling 225-343-3491.

State beef council investments totaling $100,000 will be used for shelf-stable beef products such as canned beef or beef jerky for distribution to hurricane victims. USDA has approved this use of beef checkoff funds for these efforts, which will highlight the nutritional benefits of beef for those receiving assistance. The goal is to have all products located, purchased, and shipped by September 9.

Housing
Generous farm and ranch families from as far away as California have offered to open up their homes as temporary housing for those in need. Anyone willing to provide housing may also contact John Braly or Courtney Pollock at NCBA.

"The Gulf Coast region is in for a long and difficult recovery, but every little bit helps," McAdams said. "Now is the time for each of us to share our good fortune and reach out to those whose lives have been turned upside down by this tragedy."

McAdams added that through their state and national organizations, cattlemen have a long history of responding to catastrophic events, including the recent hurricanes that devastated Florida, Alabama, and other portions of the Southeast.

"NCBA serves as a valuable national focal point for coordinating and directing aid," McAdams said. "But I really can’t say enough about the efforts of our state beef councils and state cattlemen’s associations. Across the nation, people can be proud that their cattlemen are stepping up without hesitation to meet this challenge with food, money, supplies, labor - whatever it takes to help ease the suffering and get our people back on their feet."

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The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) is the largest organization representing America’s cattle industry. Initiated in 1898, NCBA is the industry leader in education, influencing public policy to improve producer profitability and in preserving the industry’s heritage and future. Efforts are made possible through membership contributions. To join, contact NCBA at 1-866-BEEF-USA or membership@beef.org.