OCA: Producers Will Need To Address Fencing After Wildfire Season

The industry may never know just how many cattle were lost in wildfires in Oregon this year. But, whether an operator lost one or 100, government programs are available to help offset some of those cattle losses. Other programs will look to help rehabilitate pasture and rangeland. Matt McElligott president of the Oregon cattlemen’s association said one of the biggest challenges with the later effort might be fencing.

“That's going to be the single biggest expense in front of these ranchers that have lost their pastures to fire, cause the fire in places was so hot. Even if the fence is still standing, the wires are sagging and unusable, so that all the fences that were damaged by fire will need to be replaced."

McElligott says the cost per mile is $15,000, and there many of damaged fences across the state that are in need of replacement. But the OCA has collected money to help along with the federal government assisting as well.

“And the reason they're doing that also is for Environmental Protection is we, if we fence these pastures as they were, then we can still have, you know, good rotation and good forge management.”

Producers are encouraged to reach out for help by contacting the Oregon Cattlemen’s Association or their local Oregon State University extension office, or the local USDA Service Center.