Over the past few weeks, as cattle producers across Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas fell victim to wildfires, there has been an overwhelming desire among Iowa producers to help. In response, the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association and Iowa Cattlemen’s Foundation are partnering with DreamDirt Farm and Ranch Real Estate in an online auction fundraiser.

The most immediate need has been for hay to feed the surviving cattle. Many Iowans have stepped up and donated hay already, and the ICA is helping facilitate these donations, matching the donations with transportation. Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad on March 17 issued a disaster proclamation, lifting restrictions on oversize and overweight loads of forage throughout the state of Iowa, to help facilitate these donations.

“Our cattlemen across the state are eager to help the cattlemen and women in these other states recover from the devastating fires,” says Matt Deppe, chief executive officer of the ICA. “We are grateful for the governor’s support of our relief efforts.”

Forage and other donations accepted
While forage donations continue to come in, additional needs continue to surface for those farmers and ranchers affected. Milk replacer for orphan calves, fencing materials and seed to re-establish pasture are a few examples. As the needs grow more diverse throughout the recovery process, cash donations will be important to those affected.

Many county cattlemen’s associations in Iowa and individual ICA members have already begun to organize generous relief efforts. The online auction idea is a result of the same desire to help felt by many in Iowa’s cattle industry.

“We couldn’t stand by and not do something," says Jason Smith of DreamDirt. "We know how to raise money, and the idea of an online auction quickly made its rounds in our office. We approached the good folks at the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association with our idea to give Midwesterners a way to donate to the relief efforts, and they were on board from the first contact and have worked with us for days to get this up and running.”

The Iowa Cattlemen’s Foundation, a 503(c) nonprofit organization, will coordinate the donations and auction proceeds, with 100% of the funds going to help the affected farmers and ranchers. Parties interested in donating items to the auction or taking part in the auction should visit iacattlemen.org for more information, or check here for the latest press release.

Details on transportation proclamation
Gov. Branstad on March 17 signed a proclamation to allow the transportation of oversize and overweight loads of forage through Iowa. The proclamation is intended to aid cattle producers in Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas, where wildfires have caused a shortage of forage.

This action allows vehicles hauling forage through Iowa to be oversize and overweight, without a permit, until May 16. The proclamation applies to loads transported on all highways within the state excluding the interstate system. It also applies to loads that do not exceed a maximum of 90,000 pounds gross weight, do not exceed the maximum axle weight limit determined under the non‐primary highway maximum gross weight table in Iowa Code § 321.463 (5) (b) by more than 12.5%, and do not exceed the legal maximum axle weight limit of 20,000 pounds. Also, the loads must comply with posted weight limits on roads and bridges.

The Iowa Department of Transportation will monitor the operation of this proclamation to assure the public's safety, and to facilitate the movement of trucks involved in transporting forage to the impacted states.