Louisiana Beef Producers Seek Help, Hay After Hurricane Rita

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CowCop

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EHAY WEEKLY
A PRIMEDIA Property
October 4, 2005

If you want to view this on the web go to:
http://enews.primediabusiness.com/enews ... ower/v/158

--Louisiana Beef Producers Seek Help, Hay

Southwestern and south-central Louisiana beef cattle producers have endured a devastating hit from Hurricane Rita, reports Ed Twidwell, Louisiana State University extension forage specialist. "Many livestock producers are without hay and fencing materials," Twidwell says.

He's asking the nation's hay and livestock producers to consider lending a hand with this dire situation.

The Louisiana Ag Summary suggests that over 175,000 cows reside in the hardest-hit parishes. Although information is still somewhat vague due to communication difficulties, LSU officials know that thousands of beef cattle are stranded and without hay and fresh water. Early reports suggest that, in Cameron Parish, 3,000-4,000 cattle are in need of hay and water and 4,000 may have been killed. Likewise, Vermilion Parish was two-thirds under water as of last week. "A tidal surge wiped out the lower part of the parish, drowning many cattle and displacing thousands more," reports Howard Cormier, an extension agent in the parish. "We're working to get cattle out of flooded areas. Many are along roadsides. Abortions are common, as cattle drink salty water and deal with stress and hunger." Up to 10,000 head of cattle are in need of feed and water in that area as well. "We're in need of hay to feed the cattle on higher ground. If anyone can donate round bales, please let us know," Cormier says.

Louisiana officials are seeking veterinary supplies, round bales, range cubes, portable corrals and fencing equipment. Staging areas for beef cattle relief have been set up at five locations in southwestern Louisiana. If you or someone you know is interested in donating hay or other supplies, please contact Jason Rowntree of the LSU Agricultural Center at 225-578-3345 or [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]), or call Cormier at 337-898-4335 to ask about the emergency effort.
 
They might try the Astrodome in Houston where many of La leading citizens relocated. You can bet your butt no assistance was offered to any of the farmers or ranchers in East Texas with the exception of loans, that you can beat the intrest rates at the local bank.
I see lots of good people suffering that have paid taxes all their life.
 
Hit the nail on the head there Campground. Trust me we saw the same thing here last year. Seems the government no only like to hand out welfare they like to pass out checks to these folks for about any reason.

I didn't witness this but was told by a friend who went to one of the supply trucks for water last year that a small group of dark skinned folks got mad because they weren't passing out money. They didn't want any water or food. The folks working the trucks told them the only had food and water the other folks said "we wants some money, no damn food".
 
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Bad apples in every bunch, doesn't spoil the whole orchard.

There was a horrid drought in Florida in 1986.
The crops didnt grow at all.

This event was so bad that a large percentage of cattle in the state were sold to other states or slaughtered.

I was doing research at the time and our "test" herd of 800+ was sent to slaughter.

The only "relief" that farmers in the area got were TRAIN LOADS of hay sent down from many many northern states.
Loaded by hand by fellow farmers--of all ages-- who donated it from their hillside farms.

I know I cheered with pride when the greenest, sweetest hay,
from Vermont, was unloaded by dozens of needy Florida farmers.

These trainloads of "Farmer to Farmer" hay went on for months.

Instead of criticizing a few bad citizens, how about helping your fellow farmers over come a devastating situation.

It's hard enough ASKING for help, and then humilitating to be criticized for it when you still honorably need the assistance.

Mississippi cattlemen are not doing too well either:

http://www.mscattlemen.org

Read the updates/Monday Memos.
 
I agree CowCop. I like to think the people like us that raise cattle and such are better than those you see on the evening news.

Sure is disheartening though when you see and hear stories about people like we have lately. Kinda scary when I think about my little girl growing up with those kind of idiots out there, but I also believe that if i teach her right and keep her around the right people (cattle/horse people) then she will be ok.

And most importantly keep her in the Church house on Sunday's.
 
CowCop":35emg7vt said:
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Bad apples in every bunch, doesn't spoil the whole orchard.
I think it was one bad apple spoils the whole barrel.

CowCop":35emg7vt said:
There was a horrid drought in Florida in 1986.
The crops didnt grow at all.

Funny, I lived through the fires of 86. I didn't get any donated hay from anyone. Then again I didn't ask for any either.

CowCop":35emg7vt said:
This event was so bad that a large percentage of cattle in the state were sold to other states or slaughtered.

I sold my normal calf crop. Didn't even sell a cull.

CowCop":35emg7vt said:
I was doing research at the time and our "test" herd of 800+ was sent to slaughter.

What ranch would that have been?


CowCop":35emg7vt said:
The only "relief" that farmers in the area got were TRAIN LOADS of hay sent down from many many northern states.
Loaded by hand by fellow farmers--of all ages-- who donated it from their hillside farms..

Wonder where it all went as there was none distributed in my area.

CowCop":35emg7vt said:
I know I cheered with pride when the greenest, sweetest hay,
from Vermont, was unloaded by dozens of needy Florida farmers.

Well I guess I thank them for helping. Maybe trains don't stop in my area.

CowCop":35emg7vt said:
Instead of criticizing a few bad citizens, how about helping your fellow farmers over come a devastating situation.

Actually I was thinking about donating some hay. My problem is all the rain down here is preventing most of the hay producers in FLA from cutting. Everyone I have talked to is way behind and worried they won't be able to cut enough to feed their own before the first frost kills all the grass. IF I have any surplus, I will offer to donate it. If not, rest assured I will help them in some way.



CowCop":35emg7vt said:
Mississippi cattlemen are not doing too well either:

http://www.mscattlemen.org

Read the updates/Monday Memos.

I know all too well. I have relatives there. Also we were not talking about cattlemen. We were talking about freeloaders. Many of who had no damage here. ;-)
 
flaboy+":1ni1sbvn said:
I know all too well. I have relatives there. Also we were not talking about cattlemen. We were talking about freeloaders. Many of who had no damage here. ;-)
Iwas of the opinion and understanding that CowCops post is about cattle and Cattlemen and no freeloaders. There are hundreds of thousands of cattle in south La. that have nothing to eat and are drinking the salt water in the marshes which is killing them.I don't call these people freeeloaders.
 
la4angus":275cchkz said:
flaboy+":275cchkz said:
I know all too well. I have relatives there. Also we were not talking about cattlemen. We were talking about freeloaders. Many of who had no damage here. ;-)
Iwas of the opinion and understanding that CowCops post is about cattle and Cattlemen and no freeloaders. There are hundreds of thousands of cattle in south La. that have nothing to eat and are drinking the salt water in the marshes which is killing them.I don't call these people freeeloaders.

Agreed. I assumed (maybe incorrectly) that his statement "Instead of criticizing a few bad citizens, how about helping your fellow farmers over come a devastating situation. " that he had quit talking about cattlemen. I assumed (maybe incorrectly) that this was in response to my report of freeloaders down here not wanting food/water but money.
 
flaboy+":3eucthms said:
I assumed (maybe incorrectly) that this was in response to my report of freeloaders down here not wanting food/water but money.
I say to put the ones to work that want money instead of food and water. They will be to tired at nite to look for a place to buy their dope after unloading feed and hay all day. Just don't let the dumb sob's around the cattle.
 
la4angus":303q2m9p said:
I say to put the ones to work that want money instead of food and water. They will be to tired at nite to look for a place to buy their dope after unloading feed and hay all day. Just don't let the dumb sob's around the cattle.

Again we agree. I just got word I am under a flood watch. Guess my donated hay will have to wait a while longer. Guess it's been a bad year all around for a lot of folks. Let's hope the future is brighter for all of us.
 

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