WASHINGTON, Dec. 31, 2013 – There’s some good news for South Dakota ranchers whose livestock herds were devastated by an October blizzard.
A fund aimed at helping the ranchers has raised $3 million, three times as much as expected, according to a FoodMarket.com report. The fund was established by the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association, Cattlemen’s Association and Sheep Growers Association.
Bob Fortune, the president of the Stockgrowers Association, told the Associated Press the money was contributed by more than 5,000 donors from around the world. Almost 400 applications for assistance have been processed so far, and additional relief will be given to ranchers who apply after the original Dec. 31 deadline, he said.
At least 21,000 cattle, nearly 1,400 sheep and other livestock died in the October blizzard.
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