Donated Hay Helps Those Ranchers Affected by Eastern Oregon Fires

Donated Hay Helps Those Ranchers Affected by Eastern Oregon

As any of us who live in small towns or rural communities can attest, ag communities are generous to their neighbors, whether the need is just down the road or a state away. After the break we will visit about the recent delivery of nearly 500 tons of donated hay, I’m KayDee Gilkey with Open Range after this.

The Oregon Cattlemen’s Association, as a part of the RESTOR Task Force, made emergency deliveries of donated hay in August to fire effected families in Eastern Oregon. This hay will assist in caring for their livestock after the devastating fires destroyed feed sources on ranch and grazing land.

Imagine the sight: 17 semi-trucks stacked with hay lining Burns, Oregon’s main street. 

Curtis Martin, Oregon Cattlemen’s Association President, shares more.

Martin: “Basically in response to the Long Draw and Miller Homestead fires and then consequently also the Halloway fires that combined burn well over a million acres. What made it possible was some very generous donations from one particular ranch -- 500 tons of hay. So that we were able to concentrate with 17 or 18 semis with trailers and basically be able to deliver that hay to four or five different locations. Then from there, eight to ten different ranch families that would be able to get part of that hay.”

Martin credits RESTOR Task Force for making this happen in a relatively short amount of time.

I’m KayDee Gilkey with Open Range on the Northwest Ag Information Network.