FORT WORTH, Texas — For cattle raisers financially burdened by February’s devastating winter storm and resulting power and water outages, help is on the way.
Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association has opened the application phase of its TSCRA Disaster Relief Fund. Applications will be accepted through Sunday, March 14. The short timeline will allow funds to be distributed as soon as possible, said association president Hughes Abell, a rancher from Austin.
“We know cattle raisers are hurting,” he said. “And they need help now.”
The disaster relief program is designed to provide financial assistance to ranchers in Texas and Oklahoma who are victims of a natural disaster and consequentially are financially needy or otherwise distressed.
Abell said the fund may provide emergency, short-term financial assistance to meet a variety of needs. The fund may also provide supplemental relief for losses sustained due to the natural disaster that will not be satisfied, in whole or in part, by insurance or other relief payments. Relief is open to all impacted producers regardless of membership status in Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association.
Donations are still being accepted, and since the fund is administered through the association’s 501(c)3 organization, all contributions are tax-deductible. Abell encouraged those who can give to do so.
“100% of the funds will go directly to cattle raisers who need it,” he said. “The more we collect, the more we can give and the more who can benefit.”
To apply for funds or make a charitable donation, visit tscra.org/relieffund.
Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association is a 143-year-old trade association and is the largest and oldest livestock organization based in Texas. TSCRA has more than 17,500 beef cattle operations, ranching families and businesses as members. These members represent approximately 55,000 individuals directly involved in ranching and beef production who manage 4 million head of cattle on 76 million acres of range and pasture land primarily in Texas and Oklahoma, and throughout the Southwest. For more news releases and information, visit tscra.org.
–Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association