Winter Storm Goliath Recovery Resources
Please follow the Texas Association of Dairymen on Facebook and Twitter for #GoliathRecovery updates:
Facebook: /texasdairy
Twitter: @TXDairymen
Financial assistance:
USDA-FSA offers disaster assistance and low-interest loan programs to assist agricultural producers in their recovery efforts following winter storms or similar qualifying natural disasters.
For complete information on available programs and loans, please visit: http://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USFSA/bulletins/13009f1?reqfrom=share
You can find your nearest FSA office here: http://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app?state=tx&agency=fsa
A fact sheet on LIP can be found here: http://www.fsa.usda.gov/Internet/FSA_File/lip_long_fact_sht_2014.pdf
Agricultural operations impacted by Winter Storm Goliath may be eligible to apply for assistance from the State of Texas Agriculture Relief (STAR) Fund, which is administered by TDA and helps farmers and ranchers with agricultural disaster relief efforts, including cost share for rebuilding fences and restoring operations.
To apply for assistance through the STAR Fund, please visit: http://texasagriculture.gov/Home/ProductionAgriculture/DisasterAssistance/STARFund.aspx.
Carcass disposal:
Animal owners and operators are ultimately responsible for the proper disposal of the animals in their care. The methods of animal carcass disposal depend on conditions and include: on-site burial, permitted landfill burial, composting and rendering. For questions about carcass disposal call Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) at 800-832-8224.
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is serving in an advisory role and providing information to the Texas Association of Dairymen and the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers on disposal of animals that were victim to Winter Storm Goliath. The TCEQ is recommending rendering whenever possible. When rendering is not possible, producers are asked to follow these guidelines that address other methods of disposal: https://www.tceq.texas.gov/publications/rg/rg-419.html.
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service offers this article with information on composting large animal carcasses: http://texasdairymatters.org/files/2010/07/Composting-Large-Animal-Carcasses.pdf.
Animal health:
As the snow melts away in West Texas, cattle may not be out of danger from the effects of Winter Storm Goliath. Cow-calf producers should continue to watch their animals for lingering after-effects, including frostbite, mastitis and other health issues, according to a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service specialist.
Learn more: http://today.agrilife.org/2016/01/05/latent-effects-of-blizzard-a-concern-for-cow-calf-producers/
Missing animals:
Dairy farmers, are you still missing cows because of Winter Storm Goliath? Provide the information to the local sheriff in both the county where the cows were initially located, and in the county where you believe they may have wandered. You also can call the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association at 888-517-6638 or MissingCattle@TSCRA.org — the information will be provided to TSCRA rangers and inspectors, who also will distribute it to other sources.
Both dairy and beef producers in areas hit by Winter Storm Goliath are still missing cattle. If you find stray cattle on your property, please report it to the county sheriff. You have five days to notify the county sheriff to be eligible for reimbursement of the costs associated with feeding and caring for stray cattle.
A Facebook Page “Cattle Lost and Found” has been established by a Friona rancher: https://www.facebook.com/cattlelostandfound/
Donations:
How can you help dairy producers and others in agriculture who were hit hard by Winter Storm Goliath? Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller is encouraging Texans to donate to disaster relief efforts through reputable organizations, such as the State of Texas Agriculture Relief (STAR) Fund, which is administered by TDA and helps farmers and ranchers with agricultural disaster relief efforts, including cost share for rebuilding fences and restoring operations.
To donate to the STAR Fund to help Texans in need, please visit: http://texasagriculture.gov/Home/ProductionAgriculture/DisasterAssistance/STARFund.aspx.