A hay convoy crosses the Cascades to help fire-stricken ranchers feed their livestock.
By Craig Reed
After word got out about helping livestock owners affected by wildfires in Harney County, folks in Douglas County responded in a big way.
On August 1, a convoy of 17 trucks and trailers hauled an estimated 100 tons of Douglas County grass hay over the Cascade Mountains to Burns, where it was distributed to cattle, sheep and horses whose grazing grounds had burned.
The hay, several sacks of feed, and cases of bottled water were donated. The drivers of the rigs volunteered their time to make the 12-hour round trip. Monetary donations were accepted to help with fuel costs, although some of the drivers turned down that offer, resulting in $3,400 left in Burns to be used as needed.
“It’s pretty incredible what the people from Douglas County have done for us,” Harney County Cattlewomen’s Association President Nicole Adamson says. “Our livestock just needed the food.”
About 50 ranches, businesses and individuals stepped up to support the Douglas County effort, including Douglas Electric Cooperative, some of its employees and several of its members.
Douglas County growers say it was a bountiful hay season, so the timing was right to share.
“We were blessed with the amount of hay we had put up, so it was a pretty easy decision,” says Ty Olds, a Douglas Electric lineworker and co-op member. Ty and his wife, Tori, drove 1 of the rigs to Burns.
Douglas Electric General Foreman and co-op member Don Utley and his wife, Sandra, drove another rig with a hay donation from Colton Gow, also a co-op member.
“It was an honor and privilege to help out,” Don says. “We had a great bunch of people who pitched in. Everybody was so generous here in Douglas County, donating hay to help out our fellow ranchers over there. The ranchers and people at Burns were so happy to see all that hay arrive.”
Gary Williamson of Big K Ranch, a Douglas Electric member near Elkton, says it was easy to support the effort. He was asked about filling 1 trailer but responded by saying he would load round bales on 2 rigs.
"We were happy to help people affected by the fires over there,” he says, adding the ranch produced 350 more round bales this year than an average year. “We were stacking hay in places we had never stacked before. The donation request could not have come at a better time for us because we’re flush with hay.
“It’s our duty as ranchers and farmers to stick together and help when there is a need. I have friends who live in the Harney and Owyhee areas. I know for a fact they would make the trip to the west side of the state if the situation was reversed. It was an honor to be involved in this effort.”
7 fires that started in late July and burned through August in Harney County destroyed haystacks, barns, grazing grounds, and cow camp cabins. It’s anticipated that some cattle will be found dead and others severely injured by the fire and smoke.
Umpqua area rancher Drew Fairbairn first pitched the donation idea on social media. Within a few days, donations and transportation were organized for the trip.
“I remember the Texas-Oklahoma fire a couple of years ago and seeing a convoy to help those ranchers,” Drew says. “There was nothing I could do then to help, but when these fires happened here, God tugged at my heart to respond.
“I had a good hay year, and I know others did, too, so I put it out on Facebook. The whole community here came out of the woodwork to help. Once the ball got rolling, there was lots of help.”
Tyler and Karsten Potter—Douglas Electric members who have a cattle and sheep business in the Oakland area—were happy to drive 1 of the loaded rigs.
“My husband and I believe in positive karma,” Karsten says. “Tyler is an ex-rodeo cowboy, and he knows a lot of people there in Burns, so we felt called to haul a load over there. We feel somebody would help us if we were in that same situation.”
Karsten says she talked to a Harney County rancher who was missing 300 head of cattle and had no idea where they might be in the fire and smoke. Another ranch had 2 properties 60 miles apart burn, so cattle from both areas were brought to the home ranch where feed was needed.
Drew says it was the right thing to do. “When the world is getting thrashed around you, caring for folks can help them get through it,” he says. “It was definitely a Douglas County agricultural community effort. All of us working together made it happen.” Karsten agrees.
“This is what community is,” she says. “You step up and help other ranchers. We’ve got to stick together during hard times and good times.”