Heat Takes Toll On Minnesota’s Cattle, Turkeys [AUDIO]

UNDATED - The state's cattle industry suffered big losses during our recent heat wave.

Minnesota Cattlemen's Association spokesman Joe Marten says they're still assessing the numbers, but several hundred animals have died over the past several days.  He says farmers did what they could to keep the animals cool.

Marten says farmers who lost cattle need to document their losses, then contact their local Farm Service Agency office.  There is federal money available to help recover some of their losses.

Meanwhile, the recent warm temps and high humidity have also taken a toll on the state's turkey farms.  Steve Olson is the Executive Director of the Minnesota Turkey Growers Association.  He says thousands of turkeys were lost over the past several days.

Olson says the past several days were especially tough on the birds because the high temps and humidity at night, which didn't give them any chance to recover.

The federal government also has a loss recovery program for turkey farmers through the Farm Service Agency, but there's a limit of $100,000 per farm.