Hurricane Delta Prompts Reopening of La. Farm Bureau Hay Clearinghouse

By Avery Davidson

The Voice of Louisiana Agriculture

Ranchers in Southwest Louisiana are bracing for a rare, second hurricane landfall as Delta approaches the Gulf coast. Hurricane Laura made landfall there as a category 4 storm on August 27. That’s why the Louisiana Farm Bureau Livestock Advisory Committee is resuming its Hay Clearinghouse for the second time this year.

“I have one hay barn left and it’ll probably leave Friday evening,” said Cameron Parish Farm Bureau President James “Bozo” Cox. “All my pasture’s wiped out. I can’t bring cattle there. So, I know I’m going to have a need for some hay.”

Cox moved all of his cattle to his high ground which is 21 feet above sea level.

“The last thing our farmers and ranchers need right now is another storm,” said Louisiana Farm Bureau President Jim Harper. “But this is what we’re getting, so Farm Bureau is going to do what it does best and that’s get together and help each other out.”

The Hay Clearinghouse connects ranchers with hay or pastureland with ranchers who need hay or somewhere to put their cattle.

“This program worked well when we started it in March of 2016,” said Louisiana Farm Bureau First Vice-President Marty Wooldridge. “We know there is going to be a need. Cattle have to be fed to stay alive and if those cattle die, our ranchers there may go out of business. That’s not good for those rural communities that depend upon agriculture to hold up the economy.”

If you can donate hay or pasture, or you need hay or pastureland, visit https://lafarmbureau.org/hayclearinghouse-forms and submit your information or call 225-922-6200.