By Amanda Brodhagen, Farms.com
Several weeks after an unseasonal October snow blizzard hit South Dakota, the economic impact of the storm is starting to become known. The storm, which is estimated to have killed about 15,000 to 30,000 head of livestock, mostly beef cattle, in western South Dakota is suggested to have an estimated $1.7 billion impact on the area economy.
A state Stockgrowers Association spokesperson estimates the impact of the state’s cattle deaths could be about $1.7 billion. The figure is a rough estimate of the indirect impact of livestock losses which affect area businesses, including feed stores, veterinary services, banks and other spinoff sectors of the economy.
Cattle ranchers who were affected by the storm relied on the Livestock Indemnity Program, which is designed to aid producers in situations like the South Dakota snow storm, but the program expired in the 2008 farm bill. Congress is slated to begin farm bill talks again this week.