FREDERICKSBURG, Iowa - The 30 large round bales of certified organic hay loaded on a semi trailer Thursday morning north of Fredericksburg were graciously accepted Friday by organic farmers in Red Springs, Texas.
Texas ranchers are struggling to feed their livestock due to extended drought.
"It makes me feel good that I can help," said Delbert Pratt, an organic farmer from Nashua. "I've been blessed with a good hay crop."
Pratt and neighbors Herb Remly and Lyle Usher brought a trailer load of organic hay to be shipped to Texas.
Jackie King of P.O.P Acres Ranch in Pursley, Texas, said eight ranches received part of the Iowa shipment.
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"Hopefully it will bide a little time until we can find more,'' King said. "We are so grateful to the Iowa farmers who have donated this top-quality hay."
It the second load of organic hay from northeast Iowa. In October, Bakken Farm at Decorah and John Lubke Farm at Ridgeway sent 30 large round bales.
Dennis Harkrader, a Fredericksburg farmer, is lining up another load of organic hay.
He got the idea after talking to Texan friend Bobby Thurman.
"If organic ranchers can't find organic hay for their livestock, they risk losing their organic certification and that means lower prices for their products," Harkrader said. "We wanted to do something to help."
King put Thurman in touch with the Texas Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association.
"Wildfires and severe drought have left many Texas farmers and ranchers in great need of assistance," said Sue Beckwith, president of TOFGA. "When we got the offer of hay, we put out a call for donations to the TOFGA Disaster Relief Fund and within a week had raised enough money to pay for trucking. We are humbled by this tremendous support."
Farmers and businesses from Ossian, Riceville, Osage, Fredericksburg, Frederika and Nashua donated more than $1,000. . FarmAid provided a $2,500 grant, and individual donors and Texas businesses donated more than $2,000.
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Harvey Drewelow provided the staging area north of Fredericksburg for delivery and loading. Everett Suhr of Suhr Dairy at Fredericksburg unloaded the hay.
Shipping hay to Texas requires special equipment, special handling and wide load permits. Pratt said certifying agencies helped negotiate the hoops to get the proper paperwork done.
King said at least 20 percent of Texas cattle have been sold because there isn't forage to feed them.
"Organic hay is impossible to find,'' King said. "Dennis came right out of heaven with this hay."
Texas farmers pay for the hay if they can. The money goes back into TOFGA's disaster fund to help others.
King said unscrupulous people are bringing poor-quality hay in from neighboring states and charging $200 to $300 per bale.
King said she made a big sign that said "Texas loves Iowa. Thank for the hay" that she put up at the hay distribution.
