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In an effort to aid Texas cattle affected by the recent Panhandle wildfires, the Alabama Department of Agriculture & Industries, cattle ranchers, and the Alabama Trucking Association are coordinating relief efforts and are in need of additional volunteer truck drivers to supply hay.
“Truck drivers respond to calls in times of disaster. “Just tell us when and where,” was the quick response we received from Alabama truckers when we asked for their assistance in delivering much-needed hay to Texas, according to Mark Colson, president and CEO of the ATA.
Boyd Bros. Transportation Inc., located in Clayton, and DMT Trucking, a member of the ATA, have expeditiously delivered the first of multiple loads to drop points in theThe situation is still dire, though. We really need more trucks right now to distribute the hay we have, Boswell stated.
In the area where 85% of the state’s cattle reside, more than 1.5 million acres of excellent cattle land were burned.According to preliminary estimates, the fires claimed the lives of almost 7,000 cow heads. The total number directly associated with the fires may come to 10,000 in the end. The Alabama Department of Agriculture & Industries stated that ranchers may think about euthanizing animals who have sustained severe injuries, thus the precise number might not be known for months. To assist affected Texans, ADAI has partnered with ATA and the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association.
In response to the tragedy, ADAI Commissioner Rick Pate said, “I reached out to my counterpart, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller, to express my sympathy for their loss of thousands of cattle and millions of acres of pastureland and to offer Alabama’s assistance.” Together with our friends at ACA and ATA, we have committed our resources to helping Texas ranchers feed their cattle during this terrible time by providing hay. The associations were quick to offer their services when I contacted them.Our solidarity extends to Commissioner Pate, Commissioner Miller, the cattlemen of Texas and Alabama, and everyone else affected by this natural calamity. We are honored to contribute in any small way to our friends’ relief efforts in Texas, where the trucking sector, under the leadership of my buddy John Esparza [CEO of Texas Trucking Association], has been actively supporting those in need, Colson stated.
A webpage has been set up by the state of Alabama for anyone who are prepared to contribute bales or entire loads of hay: TXrelief at www.BamaBeef.org.
ATA has offered to assist with the delivery of donated hay to Texas, which is a crucial component of Alabama’s recovery effort.According to ADAI, “you can make a tax-deductible donation on the same website if you do not have hay available but are still interested in helping the farmers in Texas.”
