By Rep. Paul Anderson
We did the right thing last week when both the House and Senate took quick action to pass a measure that will assist farmers in recovering from near-record amounts of snow that have fallen all across the state.
It was several weeks ago that heavy snow and high winds pummeled southern Minnesota, and that storm was followed by more of the white stuff hitting our part of the state. To add insult to injury, heavy rains also fell over widespread areas which made the snow perched atop buildings even heavier. As of late last week, nearly 50 agricultural buildings had suffered roof collapse, with most of those being dairy structures. One occurred just west of Sauk Centre when portions of a barn went down. Luckily, only three cows were lost, with the rest hauled to other dairy facilities where they could be milked.
Last Thursday, the Legislature deviated from the normal rules of business to address the situation quickly. When the measure came to the House chamber from the Senate, the body voted to suspend the rules and allow the bill to be heard immediately and acted upon. It was a unanimous vote, 127-0, to pass and send to the governor legislation that would allow buildings damaged by heavy snow and roof collapse to be eligible for zero-percent loans from the Rural Finance Authority.
As bad as we’ve had it, our neighbors to the south and west have been hit even harder. In Iowa, 21 counties have received disaster declarations. I saw footage of ranchers in South Dakota digging with shovels, trying desperately to free cattle trapped in snow drifts. And maybe the hardest hit state is Nebraska. Whole towns have been inundated by flood waters, the result of heavy rain on top of a deep snow pack, along with tropical-force winds. A dam collapsed and caused major damage. I saw pictures of Highway 81 near Columbus, Neb., looking like a jig saw puzzle, with huge pieces of pavement tossed about. I visited with folks who were driving home last week from southern locations. One told of getting close to Omaha and having to detour anyplace they could find an open road because I-29 had been closed due to flooding. Numerous semi rigs were strewn about, he added, the result of high winds and dangerous road conditions.
When we raised beef cattle on our farm, baby calves would start coming in February and March. I know the amount of work farmers and ranchers devote to their herds, trying to save every calf that’s born. It’s hard to comprehend working in weather conditions like those which occurred in South Dakota when your cows can deliver at any hour of the day or night. If those newborn calves don’t get dried off and stand up to start drinking milk within a few hours, most likely they will not make it. And for a beef producer, those calves represents his only chance at a profit!
We look forward to the end of winter, with the calendar telling us that spring officially starts this week on Wednesday. Let’s hope Mother Nature relents and we can return to a more settled weather pattern. For some, though, this winter may be the last straw, the event or series of events, that causes them to “throw in the towel.” Our hearts and prayers go out to all who have endured harsh weather events this winter.
Rep. Anderson may be reached at his legislative office by emailing rep.paul.anderson@house.mn or by calling (651) 296-4317.
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