05/30/07 Tornado aid

A tornado hits and help is on the way. I'm Jeff Keane; I'll be back right after this to tell you who helped who. On May 4, 2007, the southwestern town of Greensburg, Kansas was nearly destroyed by a mile and a half wide tornado. The almost total devastation of that town was shown in a lot of news stories or press releases and even at that we can really only imagine the destruction and never feel the sense of loss those people experienced in lives and property. While not reported on as extensively, the surrounding area was also hit hard by that same tornado. Livestock producers lost fences, buildings and animals, but help was on the way quickly to lessen the blow just a little bit. The Livestock Marketing Association got into action and by May 7th, that association's executive committee had authorized $15,000 for initial financial relief to area livestock producers. The Livestock Marketing Association contacted five livestock markets operating in the affected region and those markets identified losses and needs of local producers. One need was fence posts and wire to replace fencing lost in the storm. A livestock market owner then contacted a supply company that agreed to sell the materials at cost and deliver them at no charge to a central site. No red tape or bureaucracy and even though it was an industry association helping producers, it was more like neighbors helping neighbors. I think that's the way it should be. I'm Jeff Keane. Western Livestock Reporter 5/16/07