Farmers Find All of Their 32 Cows Dead in One Big Pile

A lightning strike tragically left 32 cows dead on a Missouri farm, shocking the Blackwelder family. Jared and Misty Blackwelder, dairy farmers in Springfield, never expected such a devastating loss after feeding their herd one Saturday morning.

32 Cows Dead in a Single Lightning Strike

In June 2017, the Blackwelders thought the worst of the flooding had passed in their area. They let their 32 cows graze, despite storm clouds gathering in the distance. When they returned to the farm hours later, they found all 32 cows dead in a pile, victims of a lightning strike. The sheer number of cows killed in one blow left the couple in disbelief.

How Lightning Killed 32 Cows in One Blow

A local veterinarian confirmed that lightning had caused the deaths. He suggested that the cows huddled together for shelter during the storm, making them more vulnerable to the strike. The vet added that he had never seen so many cows killed by lightning at once. Although lightning-related cattle deaths occur, the scale of this tragedy was truly rare.

Emotional and Financial Impact of Losing 32 Cows

The loss wasn’t just emotional—it was financially devastating. Each cow was valued at approximately $2,000, resulting in an estimated loss of over $60,000. Jared Blackwelder expressed the emotional strain, saying, “They’re not pets, but you raise them every day. It’s hard to lose them.”

The Wright County, Missouri Farm Bureau later urged the community to offer their support and prayers to the Blackwelders during this heart-wrenching time.

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