A record-breaking storm that dumped 4 feet of snow in parts of western South Dakota left ranchers dealing with heavy losses, in some cases perhaps up to half their herds. Silvia Christen, executive director of the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association, says early estimates suggest western south Dakota lost at least 5 percent of their cattle. Some individual ranchers reported losses of 20 percent to 50 percent of their livestock. The storm killed calves that were due to be sold soon as well as cows that would produce next year's calves in an area where livestock production is a big part of the economy.
Ranchers Lose Livestock From Winter Storm
