NCBA Helps Florida’s Cattlemen in Aftermath of Hard-hitting Hurricanes

DENVER (Sept. 7, 2004) - In the aftermath of Hurricane Charley's devastating blow to Florida, the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) began working with the Florida Cattlemen's Association to coordinate relief efforts from across the nation.

Approximately 65 percent of Florida's cattle-producing areas were affected by the hurricane.  Hurricanes Charley and Frances have caused extensive damage to six of the largest livestock markets in the state. Excessive rain is causing cattlemen to move their herds to a limited supply of high ground. The need for help among agricultural producers there, cattlemen in particular, is urgent.

"Hurricane Charley hit as our Summer Conference was coming to a close and a lot of states wanted to know what they could do," said Jim McAdams, NCBA's president elect.  "Hurricane Frances certainly has increased the amount of rebuilding that needs to be done.  We talked with Jim Handley of the Florida Cattlemen's Association and agreed to coordinate national relief efforts through our office.  As is usually the case when disaster strikes, cattlemen come to the help of their friends and neighbors -- even when they're on the other side of the country."

"As you are probably aware by now, none of this effort is wasted," said Ashby Green, a Florida cattleman and NCBA member.  Green also is the chief of Animal Disease Control for the Florida Department of Agriculture. "Everyone has been so cooperative and helpful in this effort, and NCBA will be especially remembered for 'cattlemen helping cattlemen.'  You all make me so proud to be a NCBA member! It makes it all the more special to be able to call you friends."

In Washington, D.C., NCBA's dues-funded policy staff is working with the Florida legislative delegation to identify the kinds of disaster relief that are available, including emergency funding to help remove debris and rebuild fences. Congress is expected to take up the issue of appropriating funds for USDA relief efforts when it reconvenes after Labor Day.

"NCBA forwarded to the Florida Cattlemen’s Association a list of disaster counties and the appropriate local Farm Service Agency contacts in Florida so producers can get USDA help," said Colin Woodall, manager of legislative affairs for NCBA.  "USDA confirmed that the two disaster relief programs that Florida cattlemen would qualify for are the Emergency Conservation Program and the Emergency Loan Program." 

On Aug. 27, President Bush instructed USDA "to use existing authorities and resources to assist growers impacted by Hurricane Charley in their cleanup efforts and to compensate them for lost crops and trees."  It is likely that help will have to be increased to include those hit by Hurricane Frances, and the President has called for increased aid to Florida.

"We are certainly grateful for the aid we've received already and thankful that the NCBA has been there to help us, not just with the needed supplies but in Washington, D.C.," said Jim Handley, executive vice president of the Florida Cattlemen's Association.  "The support we have received is a testament to the friendships we have built through our national organization."

Handley said that the first need is to secure perimeter fencing to stop cattle from wandering across highways.  The hurricanes hit just as Florida's cow-calf producers get ready to start shipping their calves to feedlots, a season that continues through October.

”Our state relies heavily on calves coming out of Florida to keep our industry strong and as one of the larger affiliates of NCBA, we felt like it was not only our desire but responsibility to reach out to those in our industry in a time of need," said Dee Likes, executive director of the Kansas Livestock Association.  "The relationships we have between our state offices and our national office are critical, and helping out in times of need reinforces our commitment to those partnerships.

“I will never forget when we had a similar situation in our state brought on by the prolonged drought.  Our producers were desperate for help and in the mail I got a check from the Louisiana Cattlemen’s Association.  It really knocked me back -- the meaning of getting this money from another state affiliate that I knew didn’t have money to spare.  That is what our industry and our association network is about,” said Likes.

To help get some of those cattle out of Florida and to the feeding states, Priefert Ranch Equipment of Mt. Pleasant, Texas, has loaned one truckload of panels and gates to the Florida Cattlemen for use through December.

NCBA members who are signed up for the eAlert service will get updates on the situation in Florida.  Information also is available on the industry Web site, BeefUSA.org.

Individuals or associations who wish to contribute should contact Melanie Daye at 303-850-3388 or mdaye@beef.org.

Contributors through the end of August include:

Fence Material - The NCBA states in Region II -- North Carolina, Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama and Louisiana -- sent a load of fencing material, including 3,000 metal T-posts and 520 rolls of barbed wire.  Marion and Alachua County Cattlemen’s Associations sent a gooseneck load of material on Aug. 23.

Cash Donations - Kansas Livestock Association; Louisiana Beef Industry Council; District #9 Da-Ko-Tah Cattlewomen, Wildrose, North Dakota; Ohio Cattlemen’s Association; Oregon Cattlemen’s Association; Texas Cattle Feeders Association; Wenger Farms, Myerstown, Pa.

Cattle Handling Equipment - Priefert Ranch Equipment, Mt. Pleasant, Texas, a truckload of panels and gates on loan through December.

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