FORT WORTH, Texas – Texans who wish to make financial donations to ranchers affected by the recent Texas wildfires were encouraged to do so last week by the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA) through the Texas Department of Agriculture’s State of Texas Agriculture Relief (STAR) fund.

The STAR fund will use financial donations to help purchase hay and fencing supplies for ranchers in the affected areas. Donations are tax deductible and can be made at
http://www.texasagriculture.gov/starfundor by calling (512) 475-1615.

“Many ranchers across parts of West Texas have been completely devastated by the raging wildfires,” said Joe Parker Jr., TSCRA president. “Thousands of grazing acres have burned, cattle have been lost and hundreds of miles of fences have disappeared. Thankfully, most of these fires are under control; however, the dry and windy conditions continue to pose serious threats, which has us all feeling a little uneasy.

“The flood of support from Texas ranchers, the industry, and state and local officials has been remarkable,” he added. “We here in the cattle industry know what it means to work together to help each other out, which is why the continued effort to support those affected by the fires is so important. TSCRA would like to thank Commissioner [Todd] Staples for his ongoing support and efforts for these ranchers.”

The Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association is the largest and oldest (134 years old) livestock association in Texas. TSCRA represents more than 15,000 beef cattle producers, ranching families and businesses who manage approximately 4 million head of cattle on 51.5 million acres of range and pasture land, primarily in Texas and Oklahoma.