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Nebraska’s cattle industry heavily impacted by weather events

Flooded farm near Fremont, Nebraska (photo courtesy Nebraska Governor’s office)

Recovery from historic flooding and a violent March blizzard is underway across Nebraska and neighboring states.

Pete McClymont, executive vice president of Nebraska Cattlemen, says the livestock industry was hit hard by flooding in the eastern part of the state.

“People are still in the process of dealing with things,” McClymont says. “We’ve heard horrific stories where some (cow-calf) pairs have gotten caught up in the rising flood waters and been washed away.”

The blizzard hit western Nebraska ranch country in what, for many, is the middle of calving season. “As of last night, I know members that were still digging out because of excessive snow,” McClymont says. “One member said they had a drift in their yard, that would access their calving pasture, that was ten feet high. They were trying to dig that out just to get to the cattle.”

McClymont says they’ve have been in regular contact with state and federal officials about the situation.

“Yesterday we attended a meeting that included FEMA and NEMA officials to start the coordination on how to get support and how to disperse it—and those conversations are going to continue.”

He says receiving a federal disaster declaration may take some time. “In our federal government there are guidelines for which those disaster declarations can be made, and that includes the assessment of damage. That’s the challenge here because we won’t know the damage that’s done that will allow the President to create a declaration for Nebraska’s benefit. But it will happen. There’s no doubt that will happen.”

The Nebraska Department of Agriculture says it is ready to assist livestock producers affected by the blizzard and flooding. The department is asking producers in need of hay, feed stuffs, fencing materials or other assistance, and those who are willing to donate any of those items, to call the department at 1-800-831-0550.

The Nebraska USDA Farm Service Agency is reminding farmers and ranchers of the federal disaster safety net programs that are available, such as the Livestock Indemnity Program, Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-Raised Fish Program, Emergency Conservation Program and Emergency Loan Program. Contact your local FSA office for details.

Nebraska Farm Bureau has created a disaster relief fund and information exchange portal to connect those in need with those who can help. Go to nefb.org/disaster.

AUDIO: Pete McClymont

AUDIO: Comments from Nebraska Cattlemen president-elect Ken Herz

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