Recent wildfires in Texas have significantly decreased the essential food supply of hay needed to sustain the state’s livestock population. The series of fires has reportedly wiped out over 1.5 million acres of prime cattle land and impacted up to 85 percent of cattle in the state.
In response to the growing crisis, the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association, the Alabama Trucking Association, and Alabama Agriculture Commissioner Rick Pate offered their support and services to cattle farmers throughout Texas.
“It makes me proud that our cattlemen and trucking communities can work together to get something done so quickly,” said Commissioner Pate. “Within hours, we had plenty of donated hay thanks to Erin Beasley and the Cattlemen, and all I had to do was call Mark Colson at the Alabama Trucking Association to help get it to Texas.”
The carriers transported several hay shipments to Texas. Over several weeks, the coalition successfully coordinated and transported 27 shipments of hay (about 546 round bales), directly to the Texas Panhandle.
President and CEO of the Alabama Trucking Association, Mark Colson, praised the Yellowhammer State’s truckers for their role in delivering the hay.
“During any crisis, truckers answer the call,” said Colson. “The response from Alabama truckers was immediate, ready to deliver much-needed hay to Texas, demonstrating our solidarity with the affected communities and industries.”
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Erin Beasly of the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association, noted the bond shared between cattleman across the country.
“Cattlemen helping cattlemen is something we know all too well in Alabama,” said Beasly. “The Alabama Cattlemen’s Association is proud to come alongside Commissioners Pate and Miller and the Alabama Trucking Association to assist our cattlemen friends in Texas as they recover from this historical natural disaster.”
Officials in Texas were grateful to those from Alabama who took part in the operation.
“The outpouring of support from our fellow state agriculture leaders has been moving during this tough stretch,” said Texas Dept. of Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller. “I would like to give a Texas-sized thank you to our fellow states for having our backs.”
“Their prayers and assistance have served as a source of strength for our communities struggling with the impact of the fires.”
As a token of appreciation for the industry’s efforts, Commissioner Pate and Erin Beasley presented a $25,000 check to the Alabama Trucking Association Foundation.
Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @ShipleyAusten
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