Gov. Scott Walker and other officials are urging farmers to document and report losses after a mid-April snowstorm dropped 2 feet of snow across much of northern and northeastern Wisconsin.
The snowstorm caused several barns and roofs to collapse, in some instances killing dairy cows. Now, farmers are facing a financial storm.
Brothers Leroy and Dennis Gohr milked 150 cows at their farm in Sobieski, just northwest of Green Bay.
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The roof of their feed alley fell down during the storm, trapping much of their herd and killing six cows. Dennis said even though the debris has been removed, his cows are still feeling traumatized.
“We are down in milk,” Dennis said. “They were under a lot of stress. And a dollar value? I couldn’t tell you right off.”
Walker visited the Gohrs’ farm Wednesday, and he encouraged farmers anywhere in the state who believe they incurred storm-related damage to document it, adding that farm disasters are treated differently than other natural disaster declarations.
“Unlike a federal declaration that you would have in a tornado or other natural disaster, in this case the assistance would be through the United States Department of Agriculture,” Walker said.
Once the damage is reported, Walker said claims will be sent to USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue.
From left to right, Gov. Scott Walker, Leroy Gohr and Dennis Gohr at their farm’s feeding alley where the roof collapsed killing six dairy cows. Patty Murray/WPR
“We can make a request through a letter to the secretary and it becomes a secretary declaration. I think from what I have seen we are on track to be able to do that,” Walker said.
Farmers are instructed to do three things: contact their private insurance companies; document things like building damage, dead animals and rendering costs to prove loss of production from after the storm compared to before; and take their evidence to their county farm service agent.
Sandy Chalmers, the state executive director of the USDA Wisconsin Farm Service Agency, joined Walker on the tour of several damaged farms Wednesday. She said farmers should include possible future losses in their documentation.
“There may be pneumonia or other health issues secondary to the blizzard,” Chalmers said, adding that the goal is to paint a picture of what it was like before the blizzard and what it is like after.
Chalmers said it is too early to tell if the federal government will declare a disaster and issue low-interest loans to get producers recoup.
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