When devastating wildfires swept through Oklahoma and Nebraska earlier this year, ranchers faced an agonizing reality: their herds were at risk of starvation. One rancher in the affected area had nearly 1,800 head of cattle with critically limited feed options. When we learned about the desperate situation facing livestock in wildfire-affected regions, our team knew we had to act quickly and help deliver hay to the impacted areas. 

The moment our disaster relief team identified the urgent need for livestock feed, internal operations shifted into high gear. The team in charge of coordinating food loss and waste for Tyson Foods immediately coordinated with our disaster relief partners at Arkansas Baptist Disaster Relief (ABDR) to understand the scope of the crisis. 

We have many team members with a passion for helping others, whether that is feeding people during natural disasters, sending protein to food banks that support communities in times of crisis or providing care for animals impacted by wildfires and other emergencies. We took immediate action because animal welfare was a primary concern. 

What followed was a testament to the power of coordinated teamwork. Our Scranton, Arkansas, facility became the command center for relief operations. Dennis Smith, Senior Manager of Garages in our RVI Division, mobilized fleet resources within hours. Logistics coordinator Shelley Turner coordinated transportation. Drivers, like Shawn Weatherford, stepped up to personally deliver loads of hay. This wasn’t just another logistics operation—it was a mission rooted in compassion for animal welfare. 

The Facts Behind the Relief Effort 

The scale of Tyson Foods’ response in the wake of the wildfires demonstrates the genuine commitment from our team. Based on standard feeding estimates, the hay distributed provided several thousand cows with days of feed, helping to sustain livestock across states during a critical period.  

• 11 total loads of hay were distributed to affected ranchers in both Nebraska and Oklahoma 

• 96 bales hauled by RVI Scranton to Oklahoma alone, with approximately 30 large round bales per load to Nebraska 

• Cross-team and partner collaboration to ensure feed resources reached animals in the fastest, most efficient manner 

• Rapid deployment timeline, from identifying the need to delivering first loads within 24 hours 

Each load delivered meant cattle could continue to eat, remain healthy and avoid the trauma and stress of forced herd reductions. 

“This is one example of our relationship with Tyson Foods,” said Randy Garrett, Director of Arkansas Baptist Disaster Relief. “Whether feeding folks in a disaster or helping farmers care for their animals, anytime we need help, Tyson Foods always answers the call.” 

A Broader Commitment to Animal Care 

Tyson Foods’ response to the wildfire crisis reflects our foundational belief: animal welfare is everyone’s responsibility. As a protein company, we understand that animal care is integral to our mission and our values. Our partnerships with disaster relief organizations allow us to extend that commitment beyond our own operations and into communities facing unprecedented challenges. 

The ranchers of Oklahoma and Nebraska have learned firsthand that when disaster strikes, they’re not alone. Tyson Foods, alongside our community partners, will continue to show up. Because feeding the world responsibly means caring for every animal along the way.  

To learn more about Tyson Foods’ community impact and disaster relief efforts, visit our website.