During this time of year, in Missouri, it’s quite common to experience thunderstorms and lightning. The recent severe weather and flooding in the area have caused disruptions.
One Saturday morning after Jared Blackwelder and his wife Misty finished feeding their dairy cows on their farm, in Springfield they heard crashes.
At first, they ignored it. However, when Blackwelder returned to the pasture later to gather the cows for their evening milking he was met with a sight. All 32 of his dairy cows were lifeless piled on top of each other on the ground.
Stan Coday, the president of the Wright County Missouri Farm Bureau, informed CBS News that Blackwelder made the grim discovery. He explained that such incidents are not uncommon but what made this situation particularly devastating was the sheer number of cows affected.
A local veterinarian who examined the cows determined that lightning had caused their demise. It’s possible that the cows sought shelter among the trees during the storm. Coday mentioned that when dealing with nature, you’re often at its mercy, recounting a similar incident where he lost a cow to lightning several years ago.
Blackwelder expressed his feelings to the Springfield News-Leader, saying, “They may not be pets, but I’ve raised every one of the cows I’m milking. Dealing with dairy cattle is different because you work with them twice daily, which hits hard.” The financial impact is substantial as well.
Blackwelder stated that he had insurance, but he was uncertain if it would cover his losses. He estimates the value of each certified organic cow at $2,000 to $2,500, resulting in a total loss of nearly $60,000. Coday pointed out that most producers don’t carry insurance and losing a cow can be a significant blow.
He also clarified that the meat from Blackwelder’s cows couldn’t be salvaged, as the animals were damaged, and a specific process is required for safe processing.
Today also mentioned that many Missouri farmers need dedicated cow barns due to the state’s generally mild weather. He stressed that Blackwelder had no control over this situation, and it was something that couldn’t have been foreseen. We encourage you to share this story with your loved ones.
