Louisiana Farm Bureau Helps Raise Money for Texas and Oklahoma Ranchers Affected by Wildfires

By Avery J. Davidson

Louisiana Farm Bureau News

The Louisiana Farm Bureau is working with Texas Farm Bureau and Oklahoma Farm Bureau and other organizations to provide aid to ranchers who lost cattle, fencing, forage and barns to the wildfires in their respective states.

According to published reports, the Smokehouse Creek wildfire burned more than 1.1 million acres in Texas and wildfires in Oklahoma burned an additional 300,000 acres. CBS News reports the fires killed at least 7,000 head of cattle and that number is expected to increase.

Amelia Kent, chair of the Louisiana Farm Bureau Livestock Advisory Committee, has previously toured ranches in the Texas and Oklahoma panhandles and has heard from her counterparts in those areas the need for fencing, protein tubs and other supplies.

"In times of disaster, it's important for all of us in agriculture to come together and help each other," said Kent. "Both states have come to our aid when our ranchers did not have forage because of floods, hurricanes and drought. We hate that our neighbors are suffering losses, but glad Louisiana is in a position to return the favor."

Aside from Texas and Oklahoma Farm Bureaus’ respective wildfire relief funds, Tri-Parish Co-Op in Slaughter, Louisiana is collecting donations to send needed supplies to affected ranchers. A truckload of protein tubs and other supplies is scheduled to leave Louisiana on April 5th.

To donate to any of these causes, visit https://lafarmbureau.org/wildfire-relief-fund.