The Texas Cattle Feeders Association (TCFA), the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA) and the Livestock Marketing Association of Texas (LMA) have established the Cattlemen's Disaster Relief Fund. The fund, established at the Amarillo Area Foundation, will assist cattlemen affected by wildfires in the Texas Panhandle, as well as similar disasters in other areas of Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico.

Even as fires continue to burn, cattle producers are dealing with dead and displaced cattle, destroyed fences and buildings and the loss of their land and livelihood. Estimates are that upwards of 1 million acres have burned and thousands of cattle and other livestock have died or been injured. Similar to the Cattlemen's Hurricane Fund established last year, the groups will use the Disaster Fund to help cattle producers begin to put their lives back together.

In addition, hay and feed donations are being accepted. Staging areas for donated hay and feed have been established at several locations in the affected areas.

To make a donation, send a tax-deductible check made out to “Cattlemen's Disaster Relief Fund” to 5501 I-40 West, Amarillo, TX 79106. For information on hay donations, contact Burt Rutherford at TCFA at (806) 358-3681.