Texans Need Your Help after Hurricane Ike Strands Livestock

Photo Courtesy: Smiley N. Pool, AFP/Getty Images.
Click photo for a photo gallery of more Hurricane Ike damage on USAToday.com

The Texas Department of Agriculture is teaming with local, state and federal partners as well as statewide agricultural organizations to meet the needs of thousands of agricultural producers impacted by Hurricane Ike.

I extend this urgent plea to Texans across the state to assist in any way they can to help farmers and ranchers hit hard by the deadly storm. Producers in Southeast Texas are in desperate need of our help to save their livestock. Storm surges from Hurricane Ike have destroyed fences and made forage and water sources harmful to livestock.

We are working with federal and state officials to save the remaining livestock, but also need assistance from fellow Texans to ensure the effects of this catastrophe don’t become worse. State agencies are still trying to assess the financial impact Hurricane Ike has caused Texas agricultural producers; however, at this time, tens of thousands of livestock are without food and are at risk of dying if not fed.

For producers needing aid, it is essential they contact their local emergency management officials who are in direct communication with the state emergency disaster management team and will be able to allocate the proper resources. If your livestock-related needs are not met, you can contact staff at the Texas Animal Health Commission at 1-800-550-8242 ext. 296.

I ask producers who are signed up through the Texas Department of Agriculture’s Hay Hotline to sell or donate animal feed, hay or other resources such as feed and water troughs. Producers in need of these resources are encouraged to call the hotline at 1-800-Tell-TDA or visit our Hay Hotline for more information.

The Texas AgriLife Extension Service is also setting up horse and cattle feed donation and distribution sites. Contact your local extension agent for more information. If you would like to offer financial resources to the animal relief effort, AgriLife Extension Service has set up a foundation on their Web site, or call 979-845-2604.

To see the impact of Hurricane Ike on Texas livestock, watch this video on CNN.com of loose cattle in Baytown.