Trucks to haul livestock needed

The need is for 18-wheelers with a 50,000-pound capacity that will haul 50 or more head per load. Officials say a truck could make several round trips a day and the need will continue into next week.

The Associated Press

9/25/2008

AUSTIN — Large trucks are needed to haul cattle from two Southeast Texas counties inundated by the storm surge from Hurricane Ike.

Texas officials on Wednesday announced they've gotten permission from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to pay for the trucks on a per-loaded mile basis.

The need is for 18-wheelers with a 50,000-pound capacity that will haul 50 or more head per load. Officials say a truck could make several round trips a day and the need will continue into next week.

Agriculture officials estimate that 20,000 cattle were displaced when Ike hit the Texas Gulf Coast on September 13.

Those who can help should call the Texas Department of Agriculture at (877) 429-1998 or (800) 835-5832.