Wildfires across Texas over the past several weeks have scorched farm and ranchland in the state. Farmers and ranchers are hoping federal aid will help them recover from the loss of hundreds of livestock, and feed, during the fires.
Joseph Morton is a Washington correspondent for The Dallas Morning News.
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service’s Disaster And Assessment Recovery Unit says the Eastland County Complex fire near Abilene, Texas, resulted in the loss of about 400 cattle and 40 sheep, though a final estimate of livestock lost to that fire, as well as others across the state, has not yet been compiled. More animals are expected to be lost due to respiratory issues caused by smoke and ash. Farmers and ranchers in Blanco, Brooks, Brown, Coleman, Comanche, Eastland, Erath, Grayson, Hood, Mason, Potter, Randall, Runnels, Starr and Williamson counties are eligible for federal recovery aid through the U.S. Department of Agriculture.