Written with contributions by Sydney Vanderhoff, former SDSU Extension Beef Nutrition Field Specialist; and Madison Kovarna, former SDSU Extension Beef Nutrition Field Specialist.
On February 26, 2024, wildfires began to spread across a large portion of the panhandle of Texas. As of March 8, 2024, there have been 1,058,482 acres burned by the fire, making this the largest recorded wildfire in the state’s history. While there have been no confirmed reports of the number of cattle and other livestock species lost, the total number is expected to continue rise with cattle that need to be euthanized because of issues attributed to the fires.
Currently, there are wildfire relief efforts being coordinated through the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, along with other local and state resources. Ranchers in the Texas Panhandle have a priority need of hay, feed, salt blocks, protein tubs, and fencing supplies. For those willing and able to donate, information on where to contribute and contact information can be found on Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service’s 2024 Texas Panhandle Wildfire Relief Resources page.
Resources
- Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, Texas A&M University.
- 2024 Texas Panhandle Wildfire Relief Resources, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension.
