Tyson, Cargill Among Donors To Kansas Wildfire Relief
The Kansas Livestock Association (KLA) reported Wednesday that donations to their wildfire and severe storm relief fund had exceeded half a million dollars. All the proceeds will be used to help producers and a total of 396 donations were made from December 15 through December 21.
Tyson Foods and Cargill each contributed $100,000 to the fund. KLA reported donations to the fund stood at $507,748 on Tuesday.
“Our partnership with family and independent cattle producers is important to us, and we want to do our part to help those whose lives have been affected by the devastating wildfires,” said Shane Miller, group president, Fresh Meats for Tyson Foods. “We’re grateful for the longstanding relationships we have with our Kansas independent cattle suppliers and stand beside them during this difficult time.”
“Like everyone, we’re saddened by the impacts recent severe weather had on farming and ranching operations across Kansas,” said Hans Kabat, president of Cargill’s North American protein business. “Cargill has long been a trusted partner for farmers and ranchers and we’re proud to stand with KLA and the Kansas Livestock Foundation to offer our support in helping families begin to rebuild.”
KLA also said an online an online stallion auction raised $47, 485, and four Farm Credit Associations of Kansas, Oklahoma Ag Credit, Premier Farm Credit, Farm Credit of Southern Colorado and CoBank are donating a total of $141,000.
KLA Chief Executive Officer Matt Teagarden expressed thanks to the many generous donors whose support “will go a long way in helping Kansas livestock producers impacted by the fires and severe weather rebuild.”
Donations still are welcome and encouraged to help producers rebuild. To donate, click here. Checks can be sent to KLF, 6031 SW 37th Street, Topeka, KS 66614. Please put wildfire relief in the memo line.
For hay and fencing supply donations, Heartland Regional Stockyards at Plainville and the Russell County Fairgrounds in Russell are serving as collection and distribution sites. Contact the auction market at (785) 688-4080 and the extension office at (785) 483-3157.
A supply donation site for those impacted by fire in southwestern Lane County and surrounding counties has been set up at 3 E Rd 120, Dighton, KS. To coordinate a drop-off, call Erik Steffens at (620) 397-1687.
The Kansas Forest Service has revised down the number of acres burned in last week's wildfires. The agency posted on Facebook Tuesday that around 163,000 acres burned on Dec. 15, not the 400,000 that was first estimated. The Forest Service released a map showing the number of burned acres in each county. The posting said the Forest Service and the National Interagency Fire Coordination Center are using a new satellite data system to map ongoing wildfires.
