There’s a critical need to get water and reliable feedstuffs to cattle in the aftermath of wildfires that have ravaged many parts of southern and western Kansas.

As of Thursday morning, more than 660,000 acres in 21 counties had been scarred, along with numerous evacuations and road closures.

K-State Research and Extension beef systems specialist Justin Waggoner, based in southwest Kansas, says the fires have crippled systems that are ordinarily used for getting water to cattle, which means producers may be forced to haul water to thirsty cattle.

Waggoner-1 you know on a 14-hundred pound cow, we’re looking at somewhere around 10-to-14 gallons of water per day is what it’s going to take to meet those requirements. Getting water to the cattle, I think that’s one of the, you know, the most immediate need that’s probably out there if we do have cattle that have survived in these situatons. (:17)

Waggoner thinks it’s important for producers affected by the fires to know that they’re not alone. Whether it’s a need for hay, any type of assistance, fence supplies or fence rebuilding, he says producers shouldn’t hesitate to ask for help. K-State Research and Extension agents in southern and western Kansas, as well as those throughout the state, are available to help producers.