South Dakota Snow Storm Impacts Livestock Producers Financially and Emotionally

The unexpected storm that hit western South Dakota this past week was the perfect storm in many ways - according to Jodie Anderson - South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association Executive Director. Anderson calls it the perfect storm because there was a lot of rain followed by heavy, wet snow and blizzard-like winds at 60 to 70 miles-per-hour. She says animals were not prepared for those weather conditions.

Anderson: “The best way I can explain a lot of the ranchers and livestock producers in western South Dakota that were impacted is shell-shocked. Along with all of the livestock losses, many of the animals that did survived the storm have drifted miles from home. So there is a search underway by many producers for their livestock and livestock that have been found trying to find their owners. We are really in a phase of trying to assess the overall damage to individual herds. It is going to be devastating to a lot of producers -- both emotionally and financially.”

One of the challenges with this disaster is the fact that there’s no farm bill - Anderson says - meaning there’s no immediate disaster assistance available for these livestock producers.

In an effort to provide some relief to these producers - Anderson says the South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association, South Dakota Stockgrowers Association and South Dakota Sheepgrowers Association have setup the South Dakota Ranchers Relief Fund in cooperation with the Black Hills Area Community Foundation.

To donate to this effort - visit www.giveblackhills.org