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(AP) - DEADLY STORM: A freak early fall blizzard killed tens of thousands of cattle in western South Dakota. Now ranchers are figuring out how to dig out of the financial hole left.
THE LOSSES: State officials have estimated a loss of 15,000 to 30,000 cattle in the Oct. 4-5 storm that dumped up to 4 feet of snow in some parts. The financial loss is staggering, with each calf worth more than $1,000 and each pregnant cow worth $1,500 to $2,000.
HELP AVAILABLE: Ranchers may get low-interest loans or loan guarantees from a U.S. Agriculture Department program and could get some help from a relief fund set up by livestock organizations.
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