Cattle Ranchers Seek Feed Amidst Wildfires Devastating Grazing Lands

Pasture lands have been devastated, reduced to a barren expanse of sand after wildfires swept through the U.S. Plains. These fires have not only killed cattle but also obliterated their food sources, posing a significant threat to an already diminished herd, which is closely tied to rising beef prices.

The destruction of grasslands in Oklahoma and Kansas has left ranchers urgently seeking donations of hay to sustain their herds, as many face the grim reality of running out of supplies.

Since last week, the most significant wildfire, known as the Ranger Road Fire, has scorched an estimated 283,283 acres (114,640 hectares) across northern Oklahoma and southern Kansas, according to the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry. As of Monday, the fire was approximately 65% contained.

Related: Texas Fire Threat to Worsen as Oklahoma Panhandle Burns

“Grass is gone,” stated Collin Domer, a 36-year-old volunteer firefighter with the Laverne Fire Department in Oklahoma who responded to the blaze. “It’s sand. Take a sand pit and cover that over 285,000 acres.”

Cattle Supplies Lowest in 75 Years

Additional fires have ravaged thousands more acres in Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas. While some cattle have perished, state and industry officials have not provided specific estimates on the losses.

“There’s been a lot of cattle loss,” remarked Bryce Boyer, spokesperson for the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry. “There’s been a lot of hay loss. Many ranchers who still have cattle are now without grass to feed them.”

U.S. cattle supplies are already at their lowest levels in 75 years, driven by high prices and a persistent drought that has forced ranchers to send more animals to slaughter instead of retaining them for breeding. Last year, Brazil overtook the U.S. as the world’s leading beef producer, according to industry estimates.

U.S. President Donald Trump has promised to lower beef prices for consumers. However, retail prices for ground beef reached a record high of $6.75 per pound in January, reflecting a 22% increase from the previous year, largely due to low supplies and strong consumer demand, as reported by U.S. government data.

Cattle Flee Fire

Farmers took drastic measures, cutting fences to allow cattle to escape the wildfire last week. Unfortunately, some animals did not survive, while others suffered burns after being trapped, according to Heather Lansdowne, spokesperson for the Kansas Department of Agriculture. Veterinarians are collaborating with ranchers to provide the best care for injured animals.

“While many cattle were saved, those producers now lack adequate feed for their livestock,” Lansdowne explained.

Once the fires are extinguished, it may take longer than usual for pastures to recover, depending on the extent of damage caused by the intense heat, noted Michael Kelsey, executive vice president of the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association. “That’s a long-term issue for some of those ranches,” he added. “They’ll need to allow more time for recovery.”

In the interim, Domer is leading efforts to collect hay, feed, and other essential supplies for ranchers, receiving donations from as far away as Montana and Michigan. The Kansas Livestock Association is also coordinating hay donations, with offers coming in from Kansas, Wisconsin, and Illinois to support local ranchers.

“The grass resources have been burned up,” stated association spokesperson Scarlett Madinger. “They need immediate feed for their livestock.”

Reporting by Polansek; Editing by Emily Schmall and Rod Nickel.

Topics
Catastrophe
Natural Disasters
Wildfire

Pasture lands have been devastated, reduced to a barren expanse of sand after wildfires swept through the U.S. Plains. These fires have not only killed cattle but also obliterated their food sources, posing a significant threat to an already diminished herd, which is closely tied to rising beef prices.

The destruction of grasslands in Oklahoma and Kansas has left ranchers urgently seeking donations of hay to sustain their herds, as many face the grim reality of running out of supplies.

Since last week, the most significant wildfire, known as the Ranger Road Fire, has scorched an estimated 283,283 acres (114,640 hectares) across northern Oklahoma and southern Kansas, according to the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry. As of Monday, the fire was approximately 65% contained.

Related: Texas Fire Threat to Worsen as Oklahoma Panhandle Burns

“Grass is gone,” stated Collin Domer, a 36-year-old volunteer firefighter with the Laverne Fire Department in Oklahoma who responded to the blaze. “It’s sand. Take a sand pit and cover that over 285,000 acres.”

Cattle Supplies Lowest in 75 Years

Additional fires have ravaged thousands more acres in Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas. While some cattle have perished, state and industry officials have not provided specific estimates on the losses.

“There’s been a lot of cattle loss,” remarked Bryce Boyer, spokesperson for the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry. “There’s been a lot of hay loss. Many ranchers who still have cattle are now without grass to feed them.”

U.S. cattle supplies are already at their lowest levels in 75 years, driven by high prices and a persistent drought that has forced ranchers to send more animals to slaughter instead of retaining them for breeding. Last year, Brazil overtook the U.S. as the world’s leading beef producer, according to industry estimates.

U.S. President Donald Trump has promised to lower beef prices for consumers. However, retail prices for ground beef reached a record high of $6.75 per pound in January, reflecting a 22% increase from the previous year, largely due to low supplies and strong consumer demand, as reported by U.S. government data.

Cattle Flee Fire

Farmers took drastic measures, cutting fences to allow cattle to escape the wildfire last week. Unfortunately, some animals did not survive, while others suffered burns after being trapped, according to Heather Lansdowne, spokesperson for the Kansas Department of Agriculture. Veterinarians are collaborating with ranchers to provide the best care for injured animals.

“While many cattle were saved, those producers now lack adequate feed for their livestock,” Lansdowne explained.

Once the fires are extinguished, it may take longer than usual for pastures to recover, depending on the extent of damage caused by the intense heat, noted Michael Kelsey, executive vice president of the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association. “That’s a long-term issue for some of those ranches,” he added. “They’ll need to allow more time for recovery.”

In the interim, Domer is leading efforts to collect hay, feed, and other essential supplies for ranchers, receiving donations from as far away as Montana and Michigan. The Kansas Livestock Association is also coordinating hay donations, with offers coming in from Kansas, Wisconsin, and Illinois to support local ranchers.

“The grass resources have been burned up,” stated association spokesperson Scarlett Madinger. “They need immediate feed for their livestock.”

Reporting by Polansek; Editing by Emily Schmall and Rod Nickel.

Topics
Catastrophe
Natural Disasters
Wildfire