After wildfires ravaged over a million acres of Texas Panhandle hayfields and killed over 7,000 head of cattle, Alabama jumped into action by sending 21 truckloads of hay.
In mid-March, the Alabama Department of Agriculture & Industries (ADAI) coordinated an immediate effort to truck hay for Texas cattle producers who had suffered catastrophic losses from the wildfires in the Texas panhandle. ADAI partnered with the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association (ACA) and the Alabama Trucking Association (ATA) to coordinate the gathering and transportation of hay for Texas cattlemen.
“The response and generosity from Alabama farmers has been overwhelming,” said Agriculture & Industries Commissioner Rick Pate. “Five truckloads of hay were delivered to Texas last week, seven loads are on their way now and nine additional loads are scheduled later this week, for a total of 21 truckloads altogether.”
“The hay relief effort has directly helped Texas cattlemen in a matter of days. Once the hay arrives at the delivery point, it is immediately unloaded and distributed to farmers in need. This effort would not have been possible without cooperation from ACA and ATA,’” he continued. “Transportation has been the biggest challenge of effort to provide hay to our fellow cattlemen in Texas. ADAI would like to recognize and thank several trucking companies who have stepped up to help. These companies are Boyd Brothers Transportation, Inc., DMT Trucking, LLC and P&S Transportation.
Many Alabama cattlemen have donated entire truckloads of hay, so the initial strategy has shifted to load the hay directly from those farms.
Alabama had at first designated drop points for those wishing to donate hay. With the donations of entire truckloads, the drop points have been put on hold until the “on the farm” pickups are complete.
Jim ‘Zig’ Zeigler writes about Alabama’s people, places, events, groups and prominent deaths. He is a former Alabama Public Service Commissioner and State Auditor. You can reach him for comments at ZeiglerElderCare@yahoo.com.
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