By Shelby Shank
Field Editor

In a bid to assist their fellow farmers and ranchers in Texas, the Joplin Regional Stockyards in Missouri set up an online store selling t-shirts and auctioned off a steer. All profits and proceeds from the sales will go to Texas Farm Bureau’s (TFB) Texas Panhandle Wildfire Relief Fund.

The wildfires in the Texas Panhandle have caused extensive damage, impacting the livelihoods of many farmers and ranchers in the region. Over 1.5 million acres burned in the fires that started on Feb. 26.

“We saw the fires happening, and it hit close to home,” Clay Ethridge, manager of Joplin Regional Stockyards, said. “We are cattle ranchers up here in Southwest Missouri, and we just thought we have to help our farmers and ranchers in Texas.”

On March 11, the sale barn is auctioned off a steer, with proceeds directed toward the relief fund.

They raised over $31,000 from the steer auction and an additional $4,000 in t-shirt sales.

“We’re glad we could do that, and we want to thank everybody who contributed during the auction and those who bought t-shirts,” Ethridge said.

The initiative taken by the Joplin Regional Stockyards is a testament to the unity and support that exists among the agricultural community.

How to donate
TFB is still accepting monetary donations through the Texas Panhandle Wildfire Relief Fund. Contributions are tax-deductible, and all funds collected will be distributed to farmers and ranchers impacted by the fires.

For more information and to donate, visit texasfarmbureau.org/panhandle-wildfire-relief-fund.

Wildfire resources
Visit TFB’s Wildfire Relief and Recovery Resources webpage for livestock supply point locations, donation needs and other disaster assistance details.