OSHKOSH, NEB. (RFD NEWS) — Ranchers across central and western Nebraska are facing unprecedented challenges as wildfires continue to sweep through the region, destroying grazing land and fencing and forcing producers to adjust how they care for their herds.
Joe Van Newkirk with Van Newkirk Herefords joined us on Friday’s Market Day Report to share his experience as the fires impacted his operation, which his family has been ranching for 140 years.
In his interview with RFD News, Van Newkirk discussed the safety of his family and livestock, the extent of pasture losses, and how close the fires came to his operation. He also described the fire’s fast-moving nature and the efforts to respond while managing responsibilities during calving season.
“You know, the night of the fire, the wind was just screaming by here,” Van Newkirk recounted. “We had a forest patrolman in the yard making sure we all knew the fire was on its way and for us to kind of evacuate. We kind of turned them down because we’re getting quite a bunch of calves on the ground now, and we kind of want to stick around. The fire itself did not get—only about maybe three miles from our headquarters. We lost four sections of grass that were about 10 miles north of our headquarters, so we consider ourselves very lucky.”
According to Van Newkirk, officials said the fire traveled 10 miles in the first 14 minutes and about 70 miles in about 18 hours. The fire took the local sheriff’s home. He said it is the worst weather event he’s experienced — or really even heard about.
“Probably the only thing kind of this bad—and I didn’t experience it—was the ’49 blizzard,” he said. “I heard about that a lot growing up, but nothing this… I mean, there’s been fires, but there hasn’t been any catastrophe like this.”
Van Newkirk shared what he is hearing from the broader community, including the devastating toll the fires have taken on families, homes, and operations across the region. He also outlined the immediate challenges ranchers are facing, particularly with grazing land, fencing, and caring for cattle.
“You know, right now it’s probably money—more cash than anything,” he said. “The hay—I think they’ve received over 200 loads of hay in this country—and I think that’s a dang sure need. Maybe some fencing supplies, but right now, you know, they just need some relief monetarily. I mean, just to pay the bills.”
Van Newkirk pointed people to the Nebraska Sandhills Ranchers Relief Fund, a grassroots organization where 100 percent of the money goes to the ranchers. He also discussed potential impacts on herd health, including concerns around smoke exposure, and how producers may need to adjust feeding, calving, and overall herd management.
“We just got to keep a real close eye on these young newborn calves, you know, so they don’t get some kind of lung thing,” he said. “And we’re not—I mean, we will not know until next fall when we’re weaning, just to see how these calves are breathing and how healthy they are. I mean, there’s a lot of smoke, and there were a lot of cattle and newly-born calves in the path of that thing. I think most of them got moved out of the way, but the smoke is going to be the problem.”
Van Newkirk highlighted the importance of support from neighbors, organizations, and available resources during the crisis, and addressed ongoing needs as producers begin to rebuild, including feed and other essential resources, and offered advice for fellow ranchers navigating similar situations, as well as those looking to help.
“For sure in our country — I mean, if you did the math, there’s going to be between 35,000-45,000 mother cows displaced by this thing this summer,” he said. “And if we don’t get some badly needed moisture, you know, this summer and through next year—I mean, I think about all this ground is going to have to lay idle for at least one year. This is fragile country—it’s the Sandhills tall grass. There’s a lot of fuel there because these guys are good managers of this area, and they leave a lot of grass. And then it was just, you know, so bone dry since October. And with this wind, I mean, we just didn’t have a chance.”
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