Washington Week: Student Voices (O)

Panhandle wildfires scorch cattle ranches
By Jessica Sondgeroth
Daily Texan (U. Texas)
03/20/2006

(U-WIRE) AUSTIN, Texas — Wildfires in the Texas and Oklahoma panhandles have scorched nearly 1 million acres, killed 11 people and resulted in the loss of at least 10,000 livestock.

The weekend rainfall abated most fires in the area. The remaining damage has left farmers and ranchers in need of cattle feed, building supplies and funds.

Texas Department of Agriculture Commissioner Susan Combs sent a letter to Texas Sen. John Cornyn and the U.S. Department of Agriculture requesting federal aid in the form of funds to cover livestock, land and infrastructure losses.

Cornyn said in a statement that he would work to ensure that the damages see a prompt response from the USDA, according to The Associated Press.

In the meantime, relief efforts are being coordinated by organizations such as the Texas Farm Bureau and the Texas Cattle Feeders Association.

The Gray-Roberts County Farm Bureau — which brings together two counties — put out a call for help, then the Texas Farm Bureau sent out a news release, said Gene Hall, spokesperson for the Texas Farm Bureau.

"The ranching families in the area have just been devastated," said Hall. "They've lost a lot of equipment, a lot of buildings, a lot of livestock."

Cattle have little to nothing to eat, Hall said. Cattle feed, hay and fencing materials are just a few of the items being sent to the Panhandle to replenish supplies.

"The response has been, I would say, it qualifies as overwhelming," Hall said. "We've had county farm bureaus and generous folks all over the state sending items to that part of the state and cash as well."

Disaster Help Austin, formerly Katrina Help Austin, is one of the contributors working with Hall to send relief to the Panhandle. Nick Papatonis of Disaster Help Austin said they will be collecting cattle and livestock feed and fencing materials and recruiting cargo drivers at the San Jose Catholic Church parking lot on South Third and Oltorf streets from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. all week.

"These ranchers don't have a heck of a lot of money," Papatonis said. "Federal aid is going to take a little bit of time to come in and help the ranchers."

Even with relief efforts and federal aid, the damage has the potential to have a long-term crippling effect on Panhandle farmers and ranchers, Hall said.

"They're hurt pretty badly. We think we're going to be pretty well able to help their short term feed needs," Hall said. "But there's a lot of things that we're not going to be able to fix, one of which is all the vegetative cover is gone. I mean, it just looks like a desert out there."

Since the Panhandle is a high-wind area, wind erosion could cause permanent damage, Hall said. Because rain is necessary for the regeneration of grass growth, the severity of damage depends on how long the wind blows before it rains, he said.

"It's a localized disaster, but it's not something that's going to cripple the Texas cattle industry," Hall said.

"When it comes to the market, I mean, [the disaster is] just a blip," Hall said. "If you're a rancher in Wheeler County or Roberts County, this is devastating. It has hurt you badly, but in terms of the overall cattle market, it's not going to affect prices one way or the other."

The drought remains a threat to the industry. Billy Bob Brown, Texas Farm Bureau state director and a farmer, said that the recent rainfall helped abate the wildfires, but much more is needed to end the drought.

"I tell you, these farmers and ranchers here are one tough bunch," said Brown. "They've just put their shoulders to the grindstone, so to speak."

"They're working together and friends and neighbors are coming from all over the state, as well as Oklahoma and Kansas," he said. "They're giving their time, money and materials to help."

Gray-Roberts County Farm Bureau President Jeff Chisum suffered land losses from the wildfires and spent all day Sunday helping deliver hay to neighboring ranchers and farmers in need.

"It's really nice to be associated with those kinds of people," Brown said. "We're going to be here however long it takes for these people to get back on their feet."

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