In recent weeks, California has been hit with an unexpected amount of snowfall, causing chaos and disruption for many local farmers and ranchers. Springtime is typically a joyous season for these individuals, as it marks the start of calving season and the abundant growth of grass to feed the newborns. However, this year’s snowfall has left over seven feet of snow covering the grass, causing cows to become stranded and starving for weeks.
As the situation worsened, authorities in Humboldt County came together to create Operation Hay Drop, an emergency response plan aimed at delivering bales of hay to hungry and stranded cattle. This effort echoes a similar operation that was conducted in 1989 when cows were stranded by snow.
The process for Operation Hay Drop begins with authorities identifying the approximate location of stranded herds. Pilots then fly out, scanning the snowy terrain for any signs of life, essentially searching for tracks in the snow. Once located, bales of hay are airdropped in the general area where the cows are, and the pilots then quickly take off. Amazingly, the cows start coming out from under the trees and heading towards the hay almost immediately, a testament to the success of the operation.
As of today, Operation Hay Drop has helped over 2500 cows, providing them with the necessary sustenance to survive until the snow melts and grass starts to grow again. This has been a vital operation in ensuring the well-being of local farmers and ranchers and their livelihoods. Without this intervention, the situation would have been dire, with many cows perishing due to starvation.
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