Resilience, Aid Keep Ranchers Afloat After Storm

PHILIP, S.D. (AP) — Many ranchers in western South Dakota are doing better than expected a year after a freak autumn blizzard killed at least 43,000 cattle, but they say it'll be several years before they're fully recovered.

Philip rancher and implement dealer Mark Buchholz says he lost more than 30 percent of his cattle but hopes to make up for it this year while cattle prices are high.

Philip banker Dave Schriever says that's the case for many ranchers who are starting to bounce back thanks to the high cattle prices and plenty of disaster relief that has come in, though some had to take on more debt.

The Rancher Relief Fund gave about $5.5 million to 600 families and the federal Livestock Indemnity Program dispersed about $33 million to around 1,500 ranchers.

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