Ranchers Dig Out Following Late Winter Blizzard

Ranchers Dig Out Following Late Winter Blizzard

Russell Nemetz
Russell Nemetz
The dig out continues following last week's late winter blizzard across states like Colorado, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wyoming.

Terry Fankhauser is the Colorado Cattlemen's Association's executive vice president and shares what he's hearing from some of his members following last week's storm.

"For the most part, cattle are very durable animals" said Fankhauser. "They were prepared and had them bedded down. The key in this was to not get them inside a shed or up against something where the snow will drift over them. But they had sustained winds of about 50 to 55 miles per hour with gusts in the 70's. In northeastern Colorado, they didn't get that much snow. But the little bit of snow they had cause whiteout conditions. As you would imagine, as we talk about this significant low-pressure system, cows begin to calve. So, there may be more than average calf losses. But I think for the most part, livestock fared very well."

He says for ranchers who suffered livestock losses, it's important to document those losses and contact their local Farm Service Agency office about the Livestock Indemnity Program.

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