State aid helps replace charred fences

BASTROP, Texas (KXAN) - As much as 6,400 miles of ranch fencing has been destroyed in the past year's Texas wildfires, fully half of that in Bastrop alone.

But there is some help available for ranchers. It is called the STAR Fund , or State of Texas Agriculture Relief Fund. It provides some assistance to replace those fences.

Bastrop rancher Larry Miller lost a lot in the fires. Forty livestock, many of his cattle, goats and guardian dogs. He lost hundreds of acres, two tractors, two homes, nine barns, all of his hay and a lot of fencing. He said with a sigh, "37 years, a lifetime full of work, gone in minutes."

Miller is one of 23 Bastrop ranchers receiving $1,000 vouchers this month from the STAR Fund. Fencing can cost $10,000 a mile to rebuild, but Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples said it's important for business and safety.

"When you lose an animal you not only lost part of your income, you're endangering your fellow neighbors," according to Staples. "This fence rebuilding is part of getting a dynamic part of the Texas economy back on track."

Fencing is important in Texas, because the state is the No. 1 producer of cattle in the country.

The STAR Fund was created with donations from McCoy's Building Supplies and other businesses and individuals. Individuals can make a donations to the fund online at www.TexasAgriculture.gov and click on STAR Fund.

Thus far, $70,000 has been paid out.

"It sends a great signal to our agriculture community that people understand the damage they've gone through and want to see good things happen for them," Staples said.

For Miller, the rebuilding will be long, slow and expensive, but like other Texas ranchers he will press on.

"We appreciate, and everybody in Bastrop appreciates, all the help we're getting," Miller said. "We sure do."