On Monday, March 4, Michael Kelsey, the Executive Vice President of the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association, gave an update on wildfire issues, resources from OCA, and more.
As many ranchers are getting back onto their properties and assessing the damages, Kelsey said OCA wishes them well as they tackle these issues.
“There is such an emotional side to this issue because when you are dealing with cattle that have either perished, or you have to take care of an unrecoverable animal, that can be a really difficult and a very emotional situation,” Kelsey said. “Our hearts and prayers go out to all that are having to deal with that.”
Regarding the relief efforts, Kelsey said Oklahomans have responded generously with hay and other resources. The Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Foundation website has more information on these applying for these resources, drop-off locations, donation links and more at https://www.oklahomacattlemensfoundation.com/wildfire-disaster-relief.
Ranchers in Texas who have been impacted can also utilize the Texas Panhandle Fire Relief Fund established by the Texas Farm Bureau.
“From the OCA side, we are also working for disaster declarations, as well as offsetting some of the regulations regarding hay hauling and some of those types of things…,” Kelsey said.
Kelsey said Oklahoma’s Secretary of Agriculture has done a phenomenal job of helping with the efforts, and she will be traveling to northwest Oklahoma on March 6th to see what more needs to happen to provide more relief.
If you’re looking for a drop-off location to donate hay or more information on how to support our fellow ranchers affected by the wildfires, visit the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Foundation website at the link below.
Your contribution can make a world of difference in providing essential resources during this challenging time. Let’s stand together in solidarity and support those in need.
oklahomacattlemensfoundation.com/wildfire-disaster-relief
ODAFF has also been updating producers on their Facebook page as well with options for Carcass Disposal
Do you have a plan for carcass disposal in the case of catastrophic loss? Proper management of animal mortalities is vital to every operation.
For both routine and catastrophic mortalities, the state approved methods for carcass disposals are burial, landfills, incineration, rendering and composting.
LEARN MORE: https://ag.ok.gov/…/2020/11/carcassdisposaloptions.pdf
Fire Ants:
We ask you to use caution before moving hay around Oklahoma as we hope to mitigate the potential movement of fire ants.
Counties in the quarantine area include:
-Bryan, Jefferson, and McCurtain (1986);
-Marshall (Additional Infested Area 1987);
-Carter, Choctaw, Comanche, Johnston, and Love;
-Le Flore, Pushmataha, Atoka, Coal, Pontotoc, Garvin, Murray, Stephens,
-Jefferson, Cotton, Tillman, and Jackson (2009);
-Latimer (2017); and
-Pittsburgh (2020)
Here is an article from OSU Extension with more details: https://extension.okstate.edu/…/2021/stotts-fire-ants.html
