"Everything Is Gone": Texas Wildfire Ravages America's Cattle-Mecca
https://www.zerohedge.com/commodities/everything-gone-texas-wildfire-ravages-americas-cattle-meccaA devastating wildfire ravages parts of the Texas Panhandle, home to more than 85% of the state's cattle herd. This comes when the nation's cattle herd has collapsed to a seven-decade low, pushing up retail beef prices at the supermarket to record high levels.
Texas A&M Forest Service said the wildfire, called Smokehouse Creek fire, has scorched more than 850,000 acres (344,000 hectares) of grasslands as of Wednesday.
Reuters spoke with state Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller, who warned the wildfire has likely killed tens of thousands of livestock and destroyed grain in storage bins.
"It's almost like gasoline when it goes up," Miller said, adding, "We have now lost over a million acres.
Massive wildfires burning in the Texas Panhandle sent cattle fleeing from the smoke. https://t.co/5PrXIHBO85 pic.twitter.com/RP62inDfKO
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Miller said the wildfire rages in the Panhandle area, where 85% of the state's herd is located. It's important to note that Texas is the top cattle producer in the nation. He said cattle in feedlots and dairies are safe.
The wildfires in the Texas Panhandle are ravaging a major cattle producing area. Beef prices are already rising due to already low herds.
