In Missouri, it’s not unusual for the sky to crack with thunder and lightning this time of year.
Recent severe weather and subsequent flooding have caused widespread destruction in the area.
One Saturday morning, after tending to his dairy herd, Springfield farmer Jared Blackwelder and his wife Misty heard a series of loud thunderclaps but initially dismissed them.
However, when Blackwelder returned to the pasture later to bring the cows in for their evening milking, he was met with a devastating sight: all 32 of his dairy cows lay dead in a heap on the ground.
Farmer Discovers All 32 Cows Dead in a Single Pile After Storm
“He went out to gather the cows and found them all piled up,” Stan Coday, president of the Wright County Missouri Farm Bureau, told CBS News. “Such incidents are not unheard of, but the scale of this loss was particularly striking.”
According to Coday, a local veterinarian confirmed that lightning was the culprit behind the tragic deaths.
It’s likely that the cows had sought refuge behind trees during the storm.
“You’re at nature’s mercy,” Coday remarked, recalling his own experience of losing a cow to lightning years ago.
Coday emphasized the emotional toll of such losses, even though farmers are aware of the risks involved.
“They’re not exactly pets, but you form a bond with the ones you milk twice a day,” Blackwelder shared with the Springfield News-Leader. “It hits hard, especially with dairy cattle.”
The financial impact is also significant.
As reported by the News-Leader, Blackwelder has insurance but is uncertain about coverage for his losses. He estimates each certified organic cow’s value at between $2,000 and $2,500, totaling nearly $60,000.
“Most farmers don’t have insurance,” Coday noted. “Losing a cow means losing a lot.”
Addressing local concerns, Coday clarified that the meat from Blackwelder’s cows could not be salvaged.
“The animals were in no condition for processing after being dead for several hours,” he explained. “They wouldn’t be suitable for consumption.”
Coday also pointed out that many Missouri farmers don’t have dedicated barns for cows due to the state’s generally mild climate.
