Wildfire leaves ranchers dealing with loss of feed
Comanche County Emergency Manager John Lehman estimated Thursday that the wildfires in his county have burned up to 40,000 acres, mostly grassland, destroying a few hay trailers but no buildings.
The burned grass should come back quickly, but ranchers will probably have to feed cattle more hay or other feed until the grass is available, Lehman said.
Despite the danger posed by the fires, one of the benefits is the flames consumed a “whole bunch of cedar” that take over the landscape and starve out grass, he said.
An immediate need for area ranchers is hay.
Corona Hoch, a Barber County Farm Bureau insurance agent in Medicine Lodge, was busy Thursday morning taking phone calls of clients reporting loss – to livestock, fences, pastureland and buildings.
In the three decades she has lived in Medicine Lodge, there have been many fires but none like this, she said.
Tim Potter of The Wichita Eagle
To help
The Kansas Livestock Association reported that the Farmers Cooperative (S. Central Ave.) in Coldwater and Farmers Cooperative Equity Co. (1447 NW River Road) in Medicine Lodge have been designated to receive hay donations. Tractors will be available to unload. Questions on delivery logistics can be directed to Sandra Levering at (620) 518-2247 for Coldwater or Chris Boyd at (620) 243-2584 for Medicine Lodge.
The Kansas Livestock Foundation (KLF), the charitable arm of the KLA, is accepting cash donations to help those affected by the fire. Make checks payable to the Kansas Livestock Foundation and put “Disaster relief” in the memo line. Send to 6031 S.W. 37th St., Topeka, Kansas 66614.
Proceeds from the progressive sale of a heifer donated by KLA president-elect David Clawson and Clawson Ranch Partnership will be sent to the KLF as part of the relief effort for wildfire victims. The heifer will be re-sold several times March 31 at Pratt Livestock to generate funds.
American Red Cross
The American Red Cross set up emergency shelters for people displaced by the fire. For more information about the Red Cross, visit www.redcross.org/.
This story was originally published March 24, 2016 at 3:17 PM with the headline "Wildfire leaves ranchers dealing with loss of feed."