Wildfires have burned more than 800,000 acres across the state
Farmers from multiple states are sending hay to producers affected by ongoing wildfires.
Since wildfires in Nebraska ignited in March, more than 800,000 acres – roughly the total amount of farmland in Alaska – have burned.
“There’s areas where you see nothing but tree skeletons and charred grass,” Collin Thompson, a rancher from Frontier County, told the Nebraska Farm Bureau.
Now farmers are stepping up to support farmers like Thompson.
Like in Iowa, where 17 farmers collected 203 bales of hay to send to fellow producers in Nebraska.
Hay is “the most important commodity to them right now besides their families and the livestock,” Brock Hansen, a soybean farmer who helped organize the bale collection, told KCCI. “They’ll have something to survive and feed their livestock in the meantime.”
South Dakota farmers also trucked hay to Nebraska farmers.
The Kingsbury County Cattlemen’s Association collected more than 1,100 bales of hay to send to their farm peers.
“It was well received. They were overwhelmed with joy. It was just great. A few of our truckers went down and said it was one of the most meaningful things that they’ve done,” Brad Sneesby, a member of the Kingsbury County Cattlemen’s Association, told KELO Sioux Falls.
In addition, South Dakota’s ag community is raising money for affected producers.
The South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association is matching funds up to a total of $10,000.
That money will cover fuel costs associated with hay delivery.
Nebraska farmers in need of hay or grazing land can also reach out to Nebraska Game and Parks.
The department is making up to 1,000 acres available for livestock producers.
“It’s literally a drop in the bucket,” Pat Molini, a rep with the department, told Nebraska Public Media. But it’s at least something. We’re trying to make an effort to help where we can.”