Organic Hay Donated to Colorado Cattlemen Devastated by Recent Blizzards
US - Horizon Organic® has donated 100 tons of organic hay to southeast Colorado ranchers whose cattle are still suffering from blizzards that hit the area in early January.
6 March 2007
2 minute read
The effort is being coordinated through the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association (CCA) in Arvada, Colo. The hay, scheduled to arrive in Bent and Prowers Counties this month, will be distributed to producers in the surrounding region.
“As a company that works daily with dairy farmers and runs its own organic farms, we understand that farmers can’t control Mother Nature,” says Jule Taylor, Horizon Organic’s vice president of milk supply. “Farmers pride themselves on the way they treat their animals. No farmer wants to see cattle suffer. Hay in the area is scarce, and Horizon Organic is glad that we are able to help our fellow farmers.”
The organic hay donated by Horizon Organic is worth an estimated $20,000, which was previously being stored at Horizon Organic's dairy farm in Paul, Idaho. Over the years, more than 80 independent farms in Idaho have converted to organic production in order to supply Horizon Organic’s Idaho farm with organic hay and grain to feed its dairy herd.
“The hay effort is all about livestock producers helping each other to feed cattle under really stressful conditions,” says Terry Fankhauser, CCA executive vice president. “Dairy farmers, ranchers, and forage growers across the country have reached out to provide assistance. It’s amazing. We really appreciate this generous donation. The beef industry of southeast Colorado will make it through this weather crisis thanks to the help of Horizon Organic and others.”
Many producers have cattle that are just beginning to calve, which elevates the need for hay. Throughout the month, weather conditions in Colorado had continued to make it difficult to reach cattle with supplies that would help them to survive.
“Horizon Organic is committed to farmers,” notes Taylor. “We’re dedicated to helping farmers even beyond the scope of organic dairy. It is an honor to help these livestock producers. Farmers and ranchers, after all, are the heart of this nation’s food supply.”
Many livestock producers are still trying to dig out from the snow and search for cattle. The CCA estimates that final death tolls will reach somewhere between 8,000 and 15,000 cattle, and the effects of the storms in terms of cattle death tolls will continue into the spring.
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