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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For More Information, Contact:
Jerry Rice, FCFI Rapid Response Coordinator 
580-516-1234 jrfarmok@ptsi.net
Boise City, Oklahoma

John Adams, FCFI Rapid ResponseHaylift Coordinator
502-241-4122    fellowship@fcfi.org

Website: www.fcfi.org

“High Plains Blizzard Haylift to Colorado, New Mexico,
and the Oklahoma Panhandle”

Lexington, Illinois ( January 22, 2007)  The Fellowship of Christian Farmers, International is announcing today, its “High Plains Blizzard Haylift to Colorado, New Mexico, and the Oklahoma Panhandle” to help ranchers hit by the December 30-31^st blizzard that produced 40 mph winds and 33 inches of snow.  The National Cattleman’s and Beef Association feared that 100,000 head of cattle were at risk from stress produced by the blizzard and four subsequent snowfalls in the past three weeks.

Hay was already in short supply in the High Plains due to the drought of 2006.  Much of current inventories of hay are covered by deep, hard snowdrifts.   Colorado state officials estimate that 10,000 head of cattle have died in the storms.

Farmers in the Midwest and parts of the country with a good hay crop in 2006 are asked to donate hay for the High Plains Blizzard Haylift.  Farmers with semi’s are invited to provide the trucking for a load of hay in their area.  The Fellowship of Christian Farmers will reimburse the diesel fuel and any permits needed to haul out of state.  Each state’s department of agriculture has been asked to waive the wideload rules so big bales can be shipped just as during the Hurricane Rita haylift.

Visit the Fellowship’s website at www.fcfi.org for more information related to the High Plains Blizzard Haylift.  The Fellowship of Christina Farmers, International will have exhibits at the Iowa Power Farming Show, January 30-February 1^st and the National Farm Machinery Show in Louisville, February 14-17^th, where you can join the effort to help High Plans ranchers get through this disaster.