Discussing recovery strategies at Texas A&M Beef Cattle Conference post-wildfire

Ranchers and ag industry employees converge for two days to discuss how to raise a healthy herd. Almost two months to the day from the largest wildfire in Texas history, raising cattle in Hemphill County is going to be tougher to make profitable management decisions.

“Our ranchers are still trying to figure out how to go forward but every day is a little better than the day before,” said Andy Holloway, Hemphill County ag extension agent.

When it comes to the impact of the Smokehouse Creek Fire the devastation goes on for miles and for many of these ranches, it’s going to be at least two to three years before they get all of their fencing back.

“Twenty miles I’m going to be replacing,” said Craig Young, rancher.

“How are you on feed? I’m not going to have any cattle for the year, ”said Young. “That’s a loss of income for the whole year.”

Young is a third-generation rancher. He tells ABC 7 News that it will be tough to earn revenue after the Smokehouse Creek Fire wiped out the Wagon Creek Ranch except for his house.