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October 1, 2014 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association

Atlas Blizzard Cattle Ranch South Dakota Winter storm

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Ranchers Reflect on Community One Year After Atlas Blizzard

Image courtesy of Weather.com

It’s hard to believe, but this weekend marks the one year anniversary of the Atlas Blizzard. The unexpected early-season storm targeted a region surrounding western South Dakota, burying thousands of ranches below feet of snow, killing thousands of livestock, and leaving hundreds of ranchers devastated, cleaning up the aftermath. The event, largely going unnoticed by national media, resulted in the national ranching community gathering in support, raising millions of dollars toward cleanup and recovery efforts, along with many ranchers donating replacement heifers to aid those who had lost nearly everything.

While many ranchers and communities from the region are far from complete recovery after the storm, many are thankful for the support from their peers and reflect on the reactions as we approach this anniversary. The following is a letter sent out by those affected and we want to share those with you today.

Thank you from those impacted by Atlas…

As we near the one-year anniversary of winter storm Atlas, the ranching people and communities devastated by the storm would like to say “thank you” to everyone who rallied behind us and extended such kindness and generosity toward us over the course of the past year.

It is an indescribably humbling, blessed experience to be on the receiving end of such grace and giving as that which poured into western South Dakota and the surrounding area in the weeks and months following the storm. You have impacted our lives in the most powerful, positive way, restoring our faith in humanity and increasing our love and appreciation for our lifestyle and those we share it with.

To those who donated livestock or money to the cause, we did receive them but at times without the original donor’s name attached. As you likely know, there is no greater gift to a rancher than a good bred heifer or cow, and while we found it difficult to accept such a costly and incredible gift, they have made all the difference. The same can be said of the monetary donations that found their way to our mailboxes. We are the independent type, as you likely are, and we hold ourselves accountable for making it on our own. But, those dollars came at critical times for us and covered bills that would have been difficult to find funds for otherwise.

There are those who donated their craft to auctions to generate funds, the communities and individuals who organized and delivered amazing Thanksgiving and Christmas baskets, and those who took the time to write, call or email personal words of encouragement. There were the people who traveled to areas impacted to help rebuild following the storm, the businesses who donated their goods and services, and those who developed online resources to help both those impacted and those wishing to help.

This is only a smattering of the countless acts of kindheartedness executed on our behalf. A glimpse into the hours individuals, families and companies put into helping us make it through the effects of the storm. Because of these efforts we are going to make it, and if you didn’t hear it from someone personally, please take it from all of us – thank you! You have made a magnificent difference in our present and future success, and we thank God for each and every one of you who took the time to help us in your own way. While we hope to never have to repay the favor, we stand ready with the example you set in our minds eye should the time ever come. May God bless you and American agriculture.

Sincerely,
The ranching families and communities hit by winter storm Atlas in Oct. 2013

Immediately following the storm, ranchers in the area’s hit hardest by the Oct., 2013 winter storm Atlas searched and were devastated to find a staggering number of animals had succumbed to the record breaking snow, wind and cold wrought by the storm.

It took 16 days for power to be restored to every household in western South Dakota following the Atlas blizzard. West River Electric Association employees as well as over 100 additional helpers worked tirelessly to get power back on in both rural and more populated areas.

Numerous thoughtful donations found their way into the homes of those impacted by Atlas, including a complete Thanksgiving feast organized and delivered by North Dakota communities. From homemade pies and loaves to bread to a turkey, thermos and hope inspired artwork, gifts such as this touched the hearts of those on the receiving end.

T-shirts made by the Lauderdale County Junior Cattlemen’s Association of Alabama to commemorate their trip to South Dakota to help families in the Union Center area in the summer of 2014. More than 30 young people stayed with area ranching families, providing free labor in addition to 21 donated yearling heifers.

A first-calf heifer donated to a ranching family who lost livestock in the Atlas blizzard takes a peak outside with her newborn calf in the spring of 2014.

Heifers for South Dakota was started immediately following the storm, and had donated more than 1,000 bred heifers or cows to ranching families who lost livestock in the blizzard as of June, 2014. Many families also received livestock donations directly from friends or family in the months following the storm.

Yearling heifers who survived Atlas as calves, as well as a handful of donated heifers, enjoy the lush summer grass of 2014. Their generation will significantly help in rebuilding herds who suffered losses in the storm.

Montana ranchers donate cattle to South Dakota following deadly blizzard

(Associated Press) GREAT FALLS, Montana — Montana ranchers have donated 45 head of cattle for breeding stock to their South Dakota counterparts who lost thousands of cattle in a freak blizzard in October.

The Great Falls Tribune reports (http://gftrib.com/1aYWoQr ) that the cattle shipped Friday.

Montana ranchers Rene Brown and Alisha Burcham decided they wanted to do something and began gathering cattle donations from Montana’s Hi-Line area in the northern part of the state.

“Twelve hours this way with that storm and that could have been us,” said Brown, a Chinook-area rancher.

ranchers relief fund heifers for south dakota

Rene Brown locks up a cattle delivery at the J S Livestock yard in Havre, Montana Thursday, Nov. 21, 2013. Brown collected cattle donations from area ranchers to send to the South Dakota Ranchers whose cattle was ravaged by the October blizzard. (AP Photo/Havre Daily News, Lindsay Brown)

South Dakota officials say the Oct. 4 blizzard dumped up to 4 feet of snow in the western part of the state, killing about 14,000 cattle, 1,257 sheep, 287 horses and 40 bison.

Brown and Burcham used social media and word-of-mouth to gather cattle donations. Brown’s brother-in-law, Earl Brown, started moving the cattle Friday.

“I told him I wanted to get a pot load of cattle together to send to South Dakota,” Rene Brown said. “He told me I couldn’t do it and that if I did, he would drive them there. We’ll, we did and even have donations for the fuel, so he’s donating his time for the drive.”

The organization Heifers for South Dakota accepted nominations for the donated cattle. The group chose family ranches that had herds of about 160 head, but lost 50 to 60 percent of them in the storm, Brown said.

She said many small producers don’t have insurance because of the cost.

“Congress may approve some disaster aid, but that’s not a sure thing and they can’t even pass a Farm Bill,” she said. “This donation will make a big difference to ranchers in South Dakota. I knew the Hi-Line would come through, but it is humbling to see this come together.”

Learn more about disaster relief efforts and the Ranchers Relief Fund following the devastating Atlas Blizzard, by clicking here. Also, consider purchasing a copy of Big Sky Boots from MSGA’s Foundation – a portion of the proceeds from every sale through December 14th, goes toward the Ranchers Relief Fund.

Montana Stockgrowers Foundation to Donate Book Proceeds to Rancher Relief Fund (mtstockgrowersblog.wordpress.com)
Cattle depart Havre for South Dakota; donations roll in (billingsgazette.com)

October 28, 2013 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association

Disaster Relief Montana Press Release Ranch South Dakota

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Montana Stockgrowers Foundation to Donate Book Proceeds to Rancher Relief Fund

(Helena, MT) Montana Stockgrowers Association Research, Education and Endowment Foundation (REEF) announced today that a portion of the proceeds from each copy of “Big Sky Boots: Working Seasons of a Montana Cowboy” sold through Saturday, December 14, will be donated to support the Rancher Relief Fund. Earlier this month an early season winter storm moved through the area killing tens of thousands of livestock, leaving many ranchers devastated and heartbroken.

“We at Montana Stockgrowers are deeply saddened by the news of our fellow ranchers’ losses,” said Dusty Hahn, MSGA Foundation Chairman. “As ranchers ourselves we can relate when times get hard. MSGA is eager to help our fellow ranchers in South Dakota and surrounding states.”

The South Dakota Rancher Relief Fund was established on October 8, 2013 by the South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association, South Dakota Stockgrowers Association and South Dakota Sheep Growers Association to provide support and relief assistance to those in the agriculture industry impacted by the blizzard of Oct. 4-7, 2013.

In response to the devastation, Hahn said “as Stockgrowers, we’re always at the mercy of Mother Nature, but extraordinary events such as this bring out a sense of community and compassion for fellow producers. The ranching families featured in Big Sky Boots remind us of our neighbors impacted by this storm. REEF hopes that with the sales of Big Sky Boots, we can provide some relief to those in need.”

“Big Sky Boots” is the first in a five-part Montana Family Ranching Series from the MSGA Research, Education and Endowment Foundation Program. In “Big Sky Boots” readers can journey through the ranching year and learn about the great people that take care of the land, livestock and their families. This first book focuses on the cowboys themselves; the men and the seasons.

Copies of Big Sky Boots can be purchased through the Montana Stockgrowers Association website or by contacting the MSGA office at (406) 442-3420.

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The Montana Stockgrowers Association, a non-profit organization representing nearly 2,500 members, strives to serve, protect and advance the economic, political, environmental and cultural interests of cattle producers, the largest sector of Montana’s number one industry – agriculture.

The Research, Education and Endowment Foundation of the Montana Stockgrowers Association (MSGA) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization established to ensure the future of Montana’s cattle industry through producer and public education, and promotion of MSGA programs.

October 9, 2013 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association

Press Release Rancher Relief Fund South Dakota

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Donate to Rancher Relief Fund & Help South Dakota Producers Devastated by October Blizzard

Click for link to Rancher Relief Fund

In wake of the devastating October Blizzard that affected many parts of South Dakota, we at Montana Stockgrowers are deeply saddened by the news of our fellow ranchers’ losses and as ranchers ourselves we can relate when times get hard. MSGA is eager to help our fellow ranchers in South Dakota by forwarding you this information on how you can help. A designated Rancher Relief Fund has been established to benefit those affected by the storm.

BROOKINGS, S.D. – South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association, South Dakota Stockgrowers Association and South Dakota Sheep Growers Association established the South Dakota Rancher Relief Fund Oct. 8, 2013 with the Black Hills Area Community Foundation to provide support and relief assistance to those in the agriculture industry impacted by the blizzard of Oct. 4-7, 2013.

The fund will be administered by the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association, the South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association and the South Dakota Sheep Growers Association for the direct benefit of the livestock producers impacted by this devastating blizzard.

To Donate

To donate to the Rancher Relief Fund visit, www.giveblackhills.org and search “Rancher Relief Fund” or click on this link. Donors can also mail checks to Black Hills Community Area Foundation/SD Rancher Relief Fund made out to the “Rancher Relief Fund.” Address: PO Box 231, Rapid City, 57709.

More about the sponsoring organizations

The mission of the South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association is to Advance and protect the interests of all cattlemen by enhancing profitability through representation, promotion and information sharing. Our vision is to be a producer-oriented organization that consumers and producers rely on for factual information to enhance a profitable business climate and promote environmental stewardship. To learn more visit, http://www.sdcattlemen.org/ or contact Jodie Anderson at 605.945.2333.

The South Dakota Stockgrowers is a grassroots, non-profit organization of independent livestock producers dedicated to the continued success and viability of the domestic livestock industry. Since 1893 our mission has remained unchanged, “to promote and protect the South Dakota Livestock industry.” To learn more visit, www.southdakotastockgrowers.org or contact Silvia Christen at 605.342.0429.

The South Dakota Sheep Growers is the trade association for sheep producers of South Dakota, representing both farm flocks and range operations. We are a state member of the American Sheep Industry, the sheep industry voice involved in: meat safety, marketing, regulations through national education, communication and lobbying and legislation. We focus on lamb and fiber promotion on a state-wide basis and keeping members updated on issues affecting the sheep industry. To learn more visit, www.sdsheepgrowers.org or contact, Max Matthews at 605.490.0726.

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