MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Alabama's Agriculture & Industries Department (ADAI) is leading an initiative to supply hay to Texas cattle producers dealing with severe losses from recent wildfires in the state's panhandle region. Teaming up with the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association (ACA) and the Alabama Trucking Association (ATA), ADAI is looking to aid Texan cattlemen facing resource shortages.
The Smokehouse Creek Wildfire ranks as Texas's largest on record, the nation's second-largest, and surpasses the top 20 wildfires in California over the past nine decades. This single fire has destroyed over one million acres.
“I reached out to my counterpart, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller, to express my sympathy for their loss of thousands of cattle and millions of acres of pastureland and offer Alabama’s assistance during this disaster,” said Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture & Industries Rick Pate. “We have committed our resources to help provide Texas farmers with hay for their cattle during this devasting time along with our partners at ACA and ATA. When I reached out to the associations, they did not hesitate to offer their services.”
Estimates indicate over 7,000 cattle deaths from the fires, with the final tally potentially reaching 10,000, as ranchers may opt to euthanize severely injured livestock. Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller expressed gratitude for Alabama's support.
“I would like to extend my heartfelt appreciation to Alabama Commissioner Rick Pate and the Alabama Department of Agriculture & Industries for their generous donation of hay in the wake of the Texas Panhandle wildfires,” Texas Agriculture Commissioner Miller said. “This act of solidarity underscores the strength of our agricultural community and the importance of standing together in times of need. We have received unwavering support from our fellow state departments of agriculture and their assistance has been instrumental in navigating the road to recovery during this challenging time."
The wildfires have scorched over 1.5 million acres of crucial cattle land, with more than 85 percent of Texas's cattle population located in the affected Panhandle region. Alabama Cattlemen’s Association has set up a website for farmers who are willing to donate hay by truckload or individual bales.
Hay drop-off points have been established across Alabama. Those locations are listed below:
- Alabama Livestock Auction (800 US Hwy 80 E, Uniontown, AL 36786)
- Baldwin County Coliseum and Fairgrounds (19477 Fairground Rd., Robertsdale, AL 36567)
- Cullman Agricultural Center (17645 US Highway 31, Cullman, AL 35058)
- Frisco City Stockyard (20 Houston St., Frisco City, AL 36445)
- Northwest Alabama Livestock on March 29 & 30 (14330 AL-243, Russellville, AL 35654)
The Alabama Trucking Association (ATA) is responsible for moving over 80 percent of the state's manufactured tonnage, they will be delivering resources to Texan cattle producers.
“During any crisis, truckers answer the call. When we reached out to Alabama truckers to solicit their help to deliver much needed hay to Texas, the response was immediate: ‘just tell us when and where,’” said Mark Colson, president and CEO of the Alabama Trucking Association. “We stand in solidarity with Commissioner Pate, Commissioner Miller, the Alabama and Texas Cattlemen and all of those who have been impacted by this natural disaster. The trucking industry in Texas, led by my friend John Esparza, has been on the front lines helping those in need, and we are proud to play a small role to help bring relief to our friends there.”
For information regarding hay donations or transportation, please contact Reid McGuire at the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association.