Lettelier Brangus says Lightning killed 5 cattle in Marion County
Lightning killed four cows and a calf at Lettelier Brangus in northern Marion County late Saturday night as severe thunderstorms moved through the area. The animals were found beneath a tree after the storm passed.
The farm said the loss included several of its top-bred donor cows. In a social media post, Lettelier Brangus wrote, “Today we woke up to a sight no cattle farmer ever wants to see.”
Lettelier Brangus loss
Lettelier Brangus is a private cattle breeding operation, and the dead animals were part of its herd genetics. The farm identified LB Ms. Stormi, LB Ms. Black Pearl and LB Ms. Jolene as some of the cattle lost.
“While we are devastated to lose some of our top cattle, we know their genetics will continue to be represented in our herd for years to come,” the farm said.
National Weather Service warning
The National Weather Service in Jacksonville said it provided information about the lightning strike and offered a safety reminder after the incident. “No place outside is safe during a thunderstorm. That includes under a tree,” the agency said.
The agency also said that if thunder can be heard, a person is close enough to be struck by lightning. For people working outside in Marion County or anywhere else during storms, that leaves the safest option the Weather Service described: get out of the open before the thunder is close enough to hear.
