US Ag Secretary Rollins Visits Firefighters, Ranchers, in Western NE
- 1 day ago
- 1 min read
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins met Monday with firefighters, ranchers and state leaders in western Nebraska, emphasizing federal support and rapid response as communities recover from devastating wildfires.
Joined by Gov. Jim Pillen and members of Nebraska’s congressional delegation, Rollins described the “vastness” of the fires.
The secretary described hearing “testimonies of resilience and God’s grace” from ranchers who have lost grazing land and livestock, calling their stories “one of the most encouraging and inspiring” aspects of the visit. “We’re all on Team Nebraska right now,” she said.
Rollins said the scale of the destruction is difficult to grasp from the ground, pointing to aerial views of burned rangeland. The fires come as the U.S. cattle herd sits at a 75-year low, even as beef demand remains strong, compounding the challenge for producers.
Rollins said the Trump administration is “fully actuated” in its response.
The USDA is also mobilizing emergency assistance programs.
“We have to have action right now to keep herds going or move,” Rollins said, adding that relocating cattle is a last resort. The Natural Resources Conservation Service is also prepared to assist with recovery efforts, including watershed programs.
Rollins said federal agencies, including FEMA, are engaged as recovery begins. She closed her remarks with a call to action: “We bow our heads and get to work.”
The secretary said she plans to return to Nebraska during her tenure to continue working with producers and state leaders on long-term recovery.