Gilliam Soil & Water Conservation District

Gilliam and Wheeler Counties
Request: $10,000

Gilliam Soil and Water Conservation District is requesting funding to pay the transportation costs needed to deliver donated hay to agricultural producers affected by the 2026 wildfires in Gilliam and Wheeler Counties.

Approximately 100 tons of donated hay have been identified or requested; however, transportation remains the primary barrier to getting this resource to affected producers. Available hay is currently located in Redmond, Oregon, approximately 143 miles one way from the anticipated distribution area, and Klamath Falls, Oregon, approximately 223 miles one way. These distances create significant trucking and fuel expenses even though the hay itself is being donated.

Current hauling estimates are approximately $6.50 per loaded mile, with an average transportation cost of approximately $48 per ton and about 30 tons per truckload. The final cost will depend on how much hay is available at each location, the number of truckloads needed, trucking availability, and whether deliveries are made to one or multiple distribution sites.

Fire-affected producers have experienced losses to pasture, standing forage, winter feed, haystacks, fencing, livestock-water systems, and access to normal grazing areas. Immediate delivery of hay will help producers maintain their livestock while they complete damage assessments, access emergency grazing opportunities, repair fences, and pursue assistance through FSA, NRCS, and other recovery programs.

GSWCD and its partners are coordinating producer-needs surveys, mapping affected properties, identifying delivery sites, arranging unloading equipment, scheduling producer pickups, and tracking the hay received and distributed. Funding through this request would be used specifically to transport donated hay from Redmond and Klamath Falls to coordinated distribution locations in or near Condon and Arlington or, when practical, directly to affected livestock producers.

This request would remove the immediate transportation barrier and allow donated hay to reach producers who need it as quickly and efficiently as possible.