Wildfires Leave Lasting Impact on Nebraska Ranches: ‘You Have to Have an Unwavering Amount of Optimism’

A Nebraska rancher says his land may not support cattle this year after 2,000 acres were burned in recent devastating wildfires across the state.

FRONTIER COUNTY, NEBRASKA (RFD News) — Wildfires in Nebraska have left behind significant damage, with ranchers now facing the aftermath.

Collin Thompson, a rancher and Frontier County Farm Bureau member, says about 2,000 acres of his land were scorched as the flames spread.

“I’ve never been to war, but if I could describe a war zone, it would look like what it looks like up here,” Thompson said. “There are areas where you see nothing but tree skeletons, and charred grass and charred hillsides.”

Thompson says the experience was surreal and that the damage could impact his operation moving forward. He does not expect the land to support grazing this year due to a lack of moisture.

Despite the loss, he says support from others in the community has made a difference.

“I guess that’s part of being in ag,” Thompson said. “You have to have an unwavering amount of optimism that the future is going to be better than what it is today.”

Those looking to help can donate to the Nebraska Farm Bureau’s disaster relief fund through its website.

Related Stories
Dr. Derrell Peel says long-term price relief will depend more on rebuilding the U.S. cattle herd than increasing imports.
The Iowa cattle operation was recognized for its focus on soil health and sustainable farming practices.
Public lands advocates say the repeal could ease regulatory pressure on ranchers.
ASFMRA’s Paul Burgener shares updates on the Hunggate Fire, Panhandle wildfire conditions, infrastructure damage and potential impacts to agriculture in the region.
Alan Bjerga with the National Milk Producers Federation shares how teens are helping fuel stronger demand for traditional U.S. dairy products.
The latest Meat Demand Monitor shows strong retail demand for beef products like ribeye steaks and ground beef.

Knoxville native Neal Burnette-Irwin is a graduate from MTSU where he majored in Journalism and Entertainment Studies. He works as a digital content producer with RFD News and is represented by multiple talent agencies in Nashville and Chicago.


LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

A split-interest transaction involves one party acquiring a temporary interest in the asset (such as a term certain or life estate), with the other party acquiring a remainder interest. That is the topic of today’s Firm to Farm blog post by RFD-TV Agrilegal Expert Roger A. McEowen.
Show producer Donna Sanders shares her perspective on filming the latest episode of Where the Food Comes From at Splenda Stevia Farms, a company growing a sweet specialty crop here in the U.S. that is typically imported from overseas.
As I try to catch up on my writing after being on the road for a lengthy time, I have several recurring themes in my legal work. Another potpourri of random ag law and tax issues — that is the topic of today’s Firm to Farm blog post by RFD-TV Agrilegal Expert Roger McEowen.
Splenda’s new stevia farm in Florida is the first of its kind in the United States. Thousands of plants produce millions of leaves that are then turned into plant-based stevia sweetener products. But how do they get the sweet stuff out?
What does Splenda have to do with farming? Sweeteners like monk fruit and stevia are plant-based — so they are just not sugar, but are comprised of those other plants also grown on farms.
Where the Food Comes From producer Donna Sanders takes us along on a behind-the-scenes look at filming the show’s newest episode, “Clemson Blue,” where university cheesemakers reveal how they put the “blue” in their award-winning blue cheese.