In Missouri, the occasional thunderstorm with its rumble of thunder and streaks of lightning is nothing out of the ordinary, especially this time of year. However, the recent string of severe weather and flooding has caused significant damage throughout the region, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.

On a Saturday morning in Springfield, farmer Jared Blackwelder and his wife Misty were going about their usual routine, feeding their dairy cows. As they finished up, they heard some loud noises outside but didn’t think much of it. After all, they had grown used to the frequent storms that often hit this time of year.

But as Blackwelder headed back out later in the day to bring the cows in for the evening milking, he was confronted with a scene no farmer ever wants to see: all 32 of his dairy cows were lying lifeless, piled on top of one another in the field. The heartbreaking sight left him in shock.

Stan Coday, the president of the Wright County Missouri Farm Bureau, spoke to CBS News about the tragic incident. “Jared went out to gather the cows, and that’s when he found them,” Coday explained. “Unfortunately, it’s not an uncommon occurrence. It does happen. But what makes this particularly devastating is the sheer number of animals that were lost at once.”

After a local veterinarian inspected the scene, it was confirmed that the cows had been struck by lightning, a conclusion that was difficult to accept but entirely possible. The cows likely huddled together under the trees for shelter when the storm hit, and tragically, that decision proved fatal.

“You’re always at the mercy of Mother Nature,” Coday noted, pointing out that he had personally lost a cow to a lightning strike several years ago. For farmers, weather-related risks are part of the job, but that doesn’t make the losses any easier to bear.

Blackwelder, who had personally raised each of his cows, said the emotional toll was significant. “They’re not exactly pets, but with dairy cows, it’s a little different. You work with them every day, twice a day, and you really get attached,” he told the Springfield News-Leader. “Losing them all at once hits hard.”

The financial impact is just as devastating. Blackwelder estimates that each of his certified organic dairy cows was worth between $2,000 and $2,500, making his total loss close to $60,000. While he does have insurance, he’s uncertain whether it will fully cover his losses.

“It’s a huge financial blow,” Coday commented. “Most farmers don’t carry insurance for this type of loss. When you lose a cow, it can feel like you’ve lost everything.”

In response to inquiries from neighbors about whether the meat from the dead cows could be salvaged, Coday quickly dispelled any hopes. “Unfortunately, the animals were severely damaged, and by the time they were found, they had already been dead for several hours,” he said. “There are strict processes for preparing animals for consumption, and in this case, the meat would not have been safe for human consumption.”

Coday also pointed out that many farmers in Missouri, like Blackwelder, don’t have dedicated barns for their cows due to the relatively mild weather in the state. While barns can offer protection from storms, they’re not common in areas like Missouri where farmers tend to rely on the natural environment to shelter their animals.

For Blackwelder and his wife, the loss of their herd is not only an emotional tragedy but also a financial hardship that will take time to recover from. Unfortunately, the unpredictability of nature is something every farmer must contend with, no matter how prepared they might be.