Covering Up the Big Cow Kill in Texas

No one knows what started the fire at South Fork Dairy Farm in Dimmitt, Texas on the 16th. It was the deadliest fire involving cows in over a decade.

More than 18,000 cows became crispy critters because they couldn't escape the burning pens. One person was rescued by responders and flown to a Lubbock Hospital.

While authorities say they are still investigating the cause of the fire it obviously involved the mountain of manure on the property that went off like a bomb. Residents in nearby counties could hear the massive explosion. 

It's interesting to note that authorities had recently allowed the dairy to increase its manure production by 50%. They went from producing 11,500 tons to 32,000 tons, and it required doubling their livestock.

Another footnote to the big cow kill, wastewater from the farm drains into the Brazos River Basin. The owners have assured authorities (here's some money) that they aren't aware of any environmental impacts because of it. 

The owners also claimed the explosion didn't cause environmental problems and that they will clean up the mess properly.

I would love to see what the state fire marshal's office concludes caused the fire. There are 13 million cows in the state and 59, 361 cows in Castro County alone where the Fork Dairy Farm is.

Just a hunch, but I suspect no one will get into trouble for what happened. There will be no new environmental regulations passed.

As it stands, after all, we're talking about the Republic of Texas protecting their cash cows while thumbing their noses at the environmental disasters their creating.