The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, with support from the Florida Cattlemen's Association (FCA) and Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson, has united with farmers and ranchers throughout the community to keep their animals safe from damage caused by Hurricane Milton.
During the hurricane, hundreds of cattle on numerous farms and ranches faced flooding and nutritional impact due to a lack of a food source. The Agricultural Crimes Squad (Ag Squad) fielded calls during and after the storm from people whose farms were in jeopardy. With a nonstop operation, HCSO and Brevard County deputies rescued 121 head cattle from rising waters.
When the storm passed, Operation Bale Out began. With roads impassable due to flooding and trees falling during the storm, the Ag Squad reached out to the Aviation Section for help delivering supplies to unreachable cattle-filled sections of land. Together, they delivered 232 bales of hay and 6,700 pounds of range pellets via air to help feed cattle in the County. Thanks to donations from FCA and the Department of Agriculture, they have fed nearly 500 cattle.
"It warms my heart to see the community come together to keep our farmers and their herd safe," said Sheriff Chad Chronister. "Farmers are the backbone of our community, and we will do everything we can to ensure they have the tools and resources they need to continue prospering here in Hillsborough County."
The FCA, the FC Foundation, the Hillsborough County Cattlemen's Association, and the Hillsborough County Cattlemen's Foundation donated items like roll hay, bale hay, cattle feed, range pellets, barbwire, and post.
Interviews with Deputy David Thomas of the Ag Squad and Valerie Bullock are provided. Bullock's farm is on Mud Lake Road and had 24 cattle saved by the Ag Squad from rising waters after Hurricane Milton.