Cattlemen from NCBA Region II (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee)gathered last week in Chattanooga, Tenn., for their annual regional meeting. At the top of the agenda was hurricane preparedness – a top priority after the devastation caused last year by Hurricane Katrina. Sammy Blossom, executive vice president of the Mississippi Cattlemen’s Association, explains.

Cut #1         :27          Outcue: "...another event like Katrina."

Blossom said by working in advance, the group hopes to speed delivery of farm supplies and other relief, establish transportation routes, and determine pasture locations that can accept cattle in the event that they need to be relocated.

Cut #2         :29          Outcue: "...quickly as possible."

Blossom added that cattlemen in the Gulf Coast region were assisted greatly last year by NCBA, state cattle associations, and farming and ranching families from across the nation. Though the long recovery is still in progress, the assistance has helped many families in the area to keep pushing forward.  

Cut #3         :40          Outcue: "...for years to come."