02/01/06 Katrina aid follow up

Katrina Aid Follow-up Some months ago I told you about Katrina hurricane aid that was headed to cattleman. I'm Jeff Keane in one minute I'll tell you some results of those efforts. Last October I told you about cattlemen helping cattlemen through the efforts of several cattle industry organizations such as the Livestock Marketing Association, National Cattlemen's Beef Association, and several State Beef Councils. The Livestock Marketing Association started its relief program with a truckload of donated goods and then established the Livestock Marketing Association Market Relief Fund. The LMA started the fund with $30,000 then the association member markets contributed to the total while the Texas Cattle Feeders Association added over $66,000 to the account. At this time the Fund has collected in excess of $118,500 and has distributed over $110,000 back to producers and participating markets. Livestock markets in the hurricane affected areas provided supplies or services to producers, then these markets were reimbursed from the Relief Fund after an audit of their costs. Reimbursement checks were sent to at least nine livestock markets ranging from $2,000 to over $18,000; one market returned its check back to the fund. This substantial, industry-driven relief fund got needed supplies to producers in a timely manner without all the bureaucratic red tape and political argument that we heard on the national level. The cattle industry showed what could be accomplished by just seeing a need and providing help. I'm Jeff Keane. Western Livestock Reporter January 11, 2006