'Gruesome' and 'sickening' describe livestock losses
Full impact of blizzard livestock deaths unknown
by Jack Siebold, MyTown editor
It is still anyone’s guess as to the livestock losses from the Oct. 4 blizzard that battered western South Dakota as well as Wyoming.
Thursday, Governor Dennis Daugaard and Senator John Thune did their own surveys … first via a windshield tour and then with a National Guard Black Hawk helicopter. It gave them a “real world” view of the devastation that South Dakota producers are still reeling from.
“Gruesome.” That’s what Thune called the scene of a herd of cattle that died in Sulphur Creek in northeast Meade County. “Pretty gruesome when you see the loss of life and economic hardship and impact that creates for so many families in western South Dakota,” the senator said.
Describing what he saw in the aerial tour, Daugaard said it was a “sickening” scene. “My heart goes out to those families whose livelihood is threatened by the devastating loss.”
It is still anyone’s guess as to the livestock losses from the Oct. 4 blizzard that battered western South Dakota as well as Wyoming.
Thursday, Governor Dennis Daugaard and Senator John Thune did their own surveys … first via a windshield tour and then with a National Guard Black Hawk helicopter. It gave them a “real world” view of the devastation that South Dakota producers are still reeling from.
“Gruesome.” That’s what Thune called the scene of a herd of cattle that died in Sulphur Creek in northeast Meade County. “Pretty gruesome when you see the loss of life and economic hardship and impact that creates for so many families in western South Dakota,” the senator said.
Describing what he saw in the aerial tour, Daugaard said it was a “sickening” scene. “My heart goes out to those families whose livelihood is threatened by the devastating loss.”
The state has contracted a rendering service to begin clearing carcasses from South Dakota highways, ditches and right-of-ways. Counties and ranchers are responsible for clearing the dead cattle from other roads and private property. Carcasses may be burned, buried to a depth of four feet or disposed of by a licensed rendering plant. Carcass disposal guidelines may be found on the SDAIB website: http://aib.sd.gov.
When disposing of carcasses, the state will try to document ownership. Livestock owners need to do the same thing … thoroughly document the deaths. This way, if indemnity funds become available, livestock producers can get some financial relief.
When disposing of carcasses, the state will try to document ownership. Livestock owners need to do the same thing … thoroughly document the deaths. This way, if indemnity funds become available, livestock producers can get some financial relief.
Relief could come in the form of the federal Farm Bill, if Congress can get its act together. Thune is confident that will happen. “The best thing they can do right now (livestock producers) is document their losses and when that Farm Bill passes, then they’ll be able to apply for help.”
That help is capped at $100,000 per producer. “Obviously, if you look at the loss of cattle in this storm, a lot of producers lost more than that. At about $1,000 a head it adds up fast,” Thune said.
Include dates, photos, description of animals (type of livestock, number of head, weight, sex, age, etc), vaccination records, pregnancy test records, hauling receipts, collection of all identification tags and any other information that would verify the loss. A third-party signature and statement to verify losses will most likely be required. Veterinarians, extension and many other resources may be verifying third party agents. Employees and family members are not eligible.
A Rancher Relief Fund has been established by the South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association, Stockgrowers Association and Sheep Growers Association, in conjunction with the Black Hills Area Community Foundation to provide support and assistance to impacted producers. “Our ranchers need to know that they are not facing this alone,” Daugaard said.
To donate to the Rancher Relief Fund, visit www.giveblackhills.org and search “Rancher Relief Fund.” Donors can also mail checks to Rancher Relief Fund, PO Box 231, Rapid City, S.D. 57709.
There will also be an economic ripple effect later on, due to blizzard. Agriculture is South Dakota’s leading industry, pumping in more than $21 billion a year and employing more than 122,000 people. What that translates into in dollars and jobs isn’t known yet.
That help is capped at $100,000 per producer. “Obviously, if you look at the loss of cattle in this storm, a lot of producers lost more than that. At about $1,000 a head it adds up fast,” Thune said.
Include dates, photos, description of animals (type of livestock, number of head, weight, sex, age, etc), vaccination records, pregnancy test records, hauling receipts, collection of all identification tags and any other information that would verify the loss. A third-party signature and statement to verify losses will most likely be required. Veterinarians, extension and many other resources may be verifying third party agents. Employees and family members are not eligible.
A Rancher Relief Fund has been established by the South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association, Stockgrowers Association and Sheep Growers Association, in conjunction with the Black Hills Area Community Foundation to provide support and assistance to impacted producers. “Our ranchers need to know that they are not facing this alone,” Daugaard said.
To donate to the Rancher Relief Fund, visit www.giveblackhills.org and search “Rancher Relief Fund.” Donors can also mail checks to Rancher Relief Fund, PO Box 231, Rapid City, S.D. 57709.
There will also be an economic ripple effect later on, due to blizzard. Agriculture is South Dakota’s leading industry, pumping in more than $21 billion a year and employing more than 122,000 people. What that translates into in dollars and jobs isn’t known yet.
Furthermore, we haven’t seen the end result of the storm’s impact on agriculture. Livestock losses, according to SDSU Extension Veterinarian Russ Daly, may continue for some time. “Ranchers may still face problems with their animals in the days and weeks following the storm,” he said.
Prolonged stress, especially on younger animals, affects the immune system. “Long-term stress can have the effect of shifting the immune system towards production of antibodies and away from cell-mediated responses. In practical terms, this means that the body has less of an ability to respond to diseases caused by viruses,” Daly said.
He added that in growing cattle, respiratory diseases are often caused or started by Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis (IBR, or “red-nose”), Bovine Respiratory Syncytial Virus (BRSV), and Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus (BVDV). “Respiratory diseases in cattle generally have an incubation period of seven to 14 days. Therefore, ranchers might expect that cattle affected by the blizzard could break with these illnesses over the next two weeks,” Daly said.
Prolonged stress, especially on younger animals, affects the immune system. “Long-term stress can have the effect of shifting the immune system towards production of antibodies and away from cell-mediated responses. In practical terms, this means that the body has less of an ability to respond to diseases caused by viruses,” Daly said.
He added that in growing cattle, respiratory diseases are often caused or started by Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis (IBR, or “red-nose”), Bovine Respiratory Syncytial Virus (BRSV), and Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus (BVDV). “Respiratory diseases in cattle generally have an incubation period of seven to 14 days. Therefore, ranchers might expect that cattle affected by the blizzard could break with these illnesses over the next two weeks,” Daly said.
Anyone impacted by the recent western South Dakota snow storm can call 2-1-1 or 877-708-4357 for any storm-related concerns. Producers living in Harding, Perkins, Ziebach, Shannon, Jackson, Jones, Bennett and Mellette counties will need to call 877-708-4357 to reach the helpline.
The helpline can answer questions regarding animal removal from agricultural properties, documentation of livestock losses, livestock identification and provide contact information for other assistance programs.
Producers experiencing emotional distress can also call for support or to find counseling resources. Agencies needing volunteers and individuals interested in volunteering to help should dial 2-1-1 or call 877-708-4357 for assistance.
The helpline can answer questions regarding animal removal from agricultural properties, documentation of livestock losses, livestock identification and provide contact information for other assistance programs.
Producers experiencing emotional distress can also call for support or to find counseling resources. Agencies needing volunteers and individuals interested in volunteering to help should dial 2-1-1 or call 877-708-4357 for assistance.