SMITHFIELD — Dan Wells is a livestock agent with the Johnston County Cooperative Extension Service. And since Oct. 4, he’s been helping to staff the state’s Hurricane Helene Livestock Assistance Portal, where western N.C. livestock producers can request help.
The good news, Wells said, is that most livestock appears to have survived the devastating storm. “I’ve had very little notice of loss of animals,” he said in an email.
But many producers have no way to feed, water or corral their livestock, Wells said. “Most entries are regarding loss of stored feed or hay, damaged or lost fencing, no ability to supply drinking water to livestock due to power outage,” he said.
And that’s where Johnstonians can help, Wells said. The Johnston County Livestock Arena, at 520 County Home Road, Smithfield, is accepting donations of fencing supplies and veterinary materials. Call Wells at 919-623-3531 to arrange a drop-off time.
“We can also accept small donations of feed or minerals,” he said. “But we cannot accept hay at this location.”