"Operation New Fences" Set For April 25th

Texas Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples told ALL AG, ALL DAY today, that April 25 is being dedicated toward efforts to rebuild approximately 1,700 miles of fence line in Chambers, Galveston, Jefferson, Liberty and Orange counties. The project is known as “Operation New Fences" and follows on the heels of last years “Operation No Fences,” a massive post-Ike livestock rescue effort.

Operation No Fences began the day after 20-foot storm surges from Ike destroyed almost all of the fences throughout Chambers and Jefferson counties, forcing livestock to make a desperate run for high ground. Rescue and restoration efforts from that program continue to the present day. Operation No Fences resulted in the delivery of more than 9,000 hay bales, 165 tons of feed and 400 water troughs for ranchers who were unable to feed their cattle, according to Staples.

Staples called on all Texans to “lend a helping hand to ranchers in rural Southeast Texas still dealing with the devastation caused by Hurricane Ike almost six months ago,” including assistance through donating items such as fencing materials and livestock feed. While approximately 30,000 cattle roamed the affected area before Ike, the hurricane’s impact took such a severe toll that now only about 7,000 are able to graze in the region as a result of fence loss and high soil salinity, he added.

Ranchers wanting assistance or those wanting to help may sign up through the new Web site created by the state’s agriculture department, http://www.TexasAgriculture.gov , and clicking on “Operation New Fences.”