South Dakota blizzard

[WildRoseBeef]

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-201_162-57606402/tens-of-thousands-without-power-after-sd-blizzard/
http://www.kotatv.com/story/23631168/ranchers-to-lose-millions-in-lvestock-loss

Never even knew SD got hit so bad until I seen some Facebook posts on the storm. JHM, how are you fairing, did you get hit with it at all?

Thoughts and prayers go out with the producers who are having a real tough time of it. This is only the beginning for them.

 

[jhm47]

No problems here, we just got some cold rain. The snow was about 200+ miles west of here, in the west river, range area. The cattle were still on summer pastures, summer hair, and no windbreaks. The storm started out with cold rain 3 - 4+ inches, then a very cold wind in excess of 60 mph, followed by 20 - 40+ inches of snow. The ranchers were not expecting snow this early, and didn't have the ability to gather the cows into winter quarters. The cows drifted with the wind till they hit rivers, creeks, dugouts, whatever, and either drowned or died from hypothermia. I have friends who lost up to 300 cows, and possibly many more calves than that. According to the newspapers, there are over 60,000 head confirmed dead so far. Disposal of that many dead cattle is a challenge, and many are digging mass graves and burying them. This is being hampered by muddy conditions. More snow/rain is predicted in the next few days. The coyotes are having a feast, and killing the many cattle that are still weakened by the storm. There are many pictures of facebook and youtube if anyone is interested.

 

[california cowgirl]

That is so awful and we are ranchers as well can not even imagine how heartbreaking and devastating these poor people and those poor animals. Mother nature can be so cruel!!! Prayers go out to them and hope they can recover and save some of the animals and find some hope. I have been seeing the story and hearing about it on a FB site for Ranch wives and some of them are there in the middle of it. Thanks to Karin for posting this and getting the word out. Hope to hear some better news soon.