DENVER – The National Cattlemen’s Foundation (NCF) is coordinating relief efforts for cattlemen in Texas and Louisiana who have been affected by Hurricane Ike.

In the Texas counties of Jefferson and Chambers, only 15,000 cattle have been accounted for out of an estimated 40,000 head. Currently there are approximately 7,000 cattle trapped in water or on levies from Cameron to St. Bernard Parishes in Louisiana.

In-state relief efforts are already underway by the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, the Independent Cattlemen’s Association of Texas and the Texas Cattle Feeders Association, as well as the Louisiana Cattlemen’s Association. The National Cattlemen’s Foundation effort is also being coordinated with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA).

“People from all over the country have always been generous when it comes to offering assistance to those farmers and ranchers who have been devastated by Mother Nature,” says Bob Josserand, a beef producer from Hereford, Tex., and chair of the NCF board of trustees. “We’re hoping that will be the case during this devastation to their neighbors to the South.”

Tax-deductible contributions can be made to this relief effort through the NCF by calling (866) 233-3782 or by visiting the foundation’s Web site at www.nationalcattlemensfoundation.org.

Source: National Cattlemen’s Beef Association