| | Cattle stranded in flooding waters after Hurricane Rita. |
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| | Hurricane Rita killed thousands of cattle, flooded pastures and, like Katrina, destroyed fence lines for miles, leaving cattle to drown in the flooded pastures. |
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The Louisiana Gulf Coast was devastated by hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Katrina killed thousands of cattle, destroyed citrus farms, and in the Florida parishes, pushed over thousands of acres of timber. The subsequent damage left many without electricity to operate dairies, shriveled huge pine tree forests to pulpwood and destroyed fence lines for miles. Within a month, Hurricane Rita made landfall on the Louisiana-Texas border. Rita’s destruction has been well documented; the storm destroyed homes and agricultural buildings, killed thousands of cattle, flooded pastures and like Katrina, destroyed fence lines for miles.
Immediately after Rita’s passing, staging areas were designated all along the Gulf Coast beginning in Cameron Parish, north of the storm’s landfall, stretching to Lafourche Parish, 50 miles southwest of New Orleans. Beginning in late August, several government, commodity and LSU AgCenter entities worked to provide relief to beef cattle, dairy and equine producers. Thankfully, producers, agricultural organizations and many others have provided feed, hay, fencing supplies and other items to help the families and businesses in this challenging time. Without question, Louisiana thanks those for their wonderful support.
The Gulf Coast is now transitioning from a rescue-oriented crisis into long-term recovery; we are looking ahead to repairing and rebuilding farms, wintering livestock and, in time, gaining some much-needed rest. The needs within the affected areas are documented below. Staging areas in Lafourche, Terrebonne and Iberia parishes are in the process of closing. If you live in these areas and are still in need, please contact your local county agent. Calcasieu and Cameron parishes’ staging areas will be condensed to one location.
Calcasieu Parish
A call for hay was made by county agent Tommy Shields. Many Cameron Parish cattle have temporarily relocated to Calcasieu Parish. An estimated 5,000 head of cattle need constant aid. Fencing is a huge issue; a minimum of 100,000 acres need to have fences replaced.
Cameron Parish
Cameron Parish cattle are dispersed throughout the state. Yesterday from Hackberry, more than 40 more head of cattle were rounded up; however, most rescue operations are ending. Cameron Parish will need to rebuild fences around at least 100,000 acres and is feeding a minimum of 5,000 cows daily.
Vermilion Parish
Some 6,000 to 8,000 head of cattle are in need of continuous aid. Andrew Granger, Vermilion Parish county agent, estimates 120,000 acres will need perimeter and cross fences.
Staging Information
Below are identified staging areas for beef cattle relief. If you know of someone interested in donating, please call Bob Felknor at 225 343 3491 or Jason Rowntree at 225 578 3345 or contact the staging areas below:
Calcasieu Parish / Cameron Parish
McNeese University Farm
2907 McNeese Farm Rd.
Lake Charles, LA 70607
Darren Goodwin - (337) 302-5759
Tommy Shields - (337) 842-4245
Gary Wicke - (337) 274-1842
Vermilion Parish
Vermilion Parish Office
1105 West Port Street
Abbeville, LA 70510-5831
Andrew Granger - (337) 296 6852
Hilton Waits - (337) 898-4335 or (337) 658-9889
Monetary Donations
Cash donations can be sent to the following organizations:
Calcasieu Parish Cattlemen’s Association
Attn: Tommy Shields
7101 Gulf Hwy.
Lake Charles, LA 70607
Vermilion Parish Cattlemen’s Association
Attn: Andrew Granger
1105 West Port St.
Abbeville, LA 70510
Louisiana Cattlemen’s Association
Attn: Bob Felknor
I-10 Frontage Road
Port Allen, LA 70767
225 343-3491
Louisiana Farm Bureau
Attn: Ronnie Harrell
P.O. BOX 95004
Baton Rouge, LA 70895