From the Field
Helene’s wrath is widespread, but producers are meeting the challenge.
October 23, 2024
A barn flooded from Hurricane Helene in Greeneville, Tenn., taken September 28, 2024. [Photo by Joshua Moore from Getty Images.]
When Mother Nature’s power is unleashed upon the land we call home, the initial devastation and harsh change in daily life can be difficult to wrap one’s head around. As an industry, many of us have faced an uphill battle in the form of wind, water or flames. Considering the damage Hurricane Helene inflicted upon the eastern United States, we’re flipping the usual script of “From the Field” to hear from Regional Manager David Gazda on the scope of Helene, current concerns for producers and how fellow cattlemen are stepping up to lend a hand.
Once-in-a-lifetime event
In the hours ahead of Helene’s landfall on Sept. 26, 2024, it would be safe to say residents of areas expected to be affected did all they could to prepare. After landfall, the storm maintained its strength while heading inland — unleashing strong winds and an onslaught of rain that triggered unprecedented damage throughout the Southeast.
“I think this was a once-in-a-lifetime storm. Many people I know who have farmed for years — and some of the older people throughout Georgia — said that they have never experienced anything like this before,” says Gazda, who covers Florida, Georgia and South Carolina for the Association. “Some of those folks have gone through lots of storms in their lifetime, but even though [the media] talked about this storm so far in advance, nobody really expected Helene to be this devastating so far inland.”
While producers in Georgia and South Carolina expected to feel some discomfort from Helene, instead of weakening as it moved further inland, the outer bands of the system produced extremely powerful winds that inflicted heavier damage than many residents could have ever expected. Moving further into western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee, locals experienced devastation that even their oldest loved ones may have never seen in their lifetime, Gazda says.
A new normal
Once Hurricane Helene passed and landowners were able to access properties, a new set of challenges were brought to light, including the downed fences and keeping cattle confined in secure areas while further repairs were underway.
“The first thing they were doing is getting out on their farms and ranches, trying to walk the fences, trying to get trees off enough so they can get fences back up,” explains Gazda. “I talked to someone the other day at a sale that said they had to push everything they owned into one place just because it was the only area they could get put back together quick enough to hold cattle.”
In addition to fences being down, the disruption of routine for livestock can present further challenges when it comes to grazing and watering after the event. While immediately following a storm, cattle can tend to group up, eventually hunger and thirst can lead to wandering and escapees, notes Gazda.
Containing livestock may be the first concern — for their own safety, as well as the safety of anyone traveling roadways. Yet an equally important concern is ensuring cattle have access to fresh water and adequate forage. Whether you’re a small- or large-scale operator, cattle in multiple locations can present a problem when the power is out and watering must be done manually.
“How do you water cattle that are on multiple locations when you don’t have a running well? Does that mean you have to have a backup generator large enough to run your wells?” questions Gazda. “But the biggest thing is just having large enough containers to serve as nurse tanks where you can fill those and go out to water. It’s taking these people all day just to get around to water cattle.”
Another concern for producers is the lack of power and fuel to power generators, whether those generators are needed to power wells or, in the case of farm-to-table operations, freezer units. Regardless of the application, potential loss of resources and profit because of power outages can add up quickly, says Gazda.
Producers helping producers
Shortly after the storm passed and locals had the chance to assess the state of their communities, immediate needs for food, fuel and other necessities were being met by good-hearted people from across the country. Setting up at schools, churches and in parking lots, volunteers provided for the immediate needs of those affected by Helene and in some cases, saw thousands of faces a day, notes Gazda.
The wish to help is alive and well within the ag industry, as well with local processors donating beef throughout the Augusta, Ga., area while still more individuals donated sale lots to contribute toward assisting those living within Helene’s path.
“The gifts themselves might be a drop in a bucket when compared to the overall damage, but if you can give those funds to a cattleman’ s association that knows this family needs this or needs that, that can make a huge difference,” stresses Gazda. “We had a deal at the Georgia National Fair in Perry, Ga., where families filled four trailers with food, diapers and paper goods that were then distributed to families in south Georgia that had been affected.”
Families helping families and producers helping producers. A lot of that is taking place post-Helene, says Gazda. While natural disasters tend to bring out the best in mankind, it probably doesn’t come as a surprise that fellow ag industry members are supporting one another through another one of life’s storms.
For details on how to help cattlemen recovering from the recent hurricanes see “Country Strong: After the Hurricane” in this edition of the Angus Beef Bulletin EXTRA and “Hurricane Helene Disaster Resources” in the Oct. 11 edition.
Editor’s note: “From the Field” is a regular Angus Beef Bulletin EXTRA column featuring advice, industry news and Angus updates from regional managers of the American Angus Association. For information on how to contact your regional manager, click here.
Angus Beef Bulletin EXTRA, Vol. 16, No. 10-B
Topics: Business , Equipment / Facilities , News , Management
Publication: Angus Beef Bulletin
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