Farmers, Ranchers Recover from Southern Storm

Dairy farmers and cattle ranchers in Texas and New Mexico continue to assess their losses after winter storm Goliath wrecked their operations. An estimated 15,000 dairy cows were killed in the storm, according to the Texas Association of Dairymen (TAD).

After originally estimating upwards of 6,000 beef cattle fatalities, the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association now believes that around 4,000 beef cattle died in the December 26 storm.

Last week, authorities said animals remain missing, and a social media site has proven useful as farmers regroup. A rancher from Friona, Texas, created a Facebook page to help producers locate their livestock after the blizzard.

The cost of the storm on the livestock industry has not yet been determined.

Source: agriculture.com S