In Missouri, springtime storms often bring flashes of lightning and rolling thunder. But for one Springfield family farm, a recent storm brought devastation no one could have predicted.

Farmer Jared Blackwelder and his wife, Misty, had just finished feeding their dairy cows on an otherwise ordinary Saturday morning when they heard loud crashes from the sky. They brushed it off, assuming it was just another storm passing through. However, when Jared returned to the pasture later that day to gather the cows for their evening milking, he was met with a gut-wrenching sight.

Thirty-two of his prized dairy cows lay lifeless, scattered across the mulch and piled on top of one another. The tragedy was almost too much to process.

A Rare but Devastating Event

According to Stan Coday, president of the Wright County Missouri Farm Bureau, such incidents aren’t unheard of. “It happens occasionally,” he told CBS News. “But the sheer number of cows lost in this event is what makes it so extraordinary.”

Lightning strikes killing livestock is a documented phenomenon, but it’s rare for so many animals to perish in one incident. A local veterinarian who examined the cows confirmed that lightning was indeed the cause of death.

It’s believed the cows had huddled together under a tree for shelter as the storm raged above. Tragically, this instinct to seek safety in numbers may have sealed their fate.

“You’re at the mercy of Mother Nature,” Coday added, recalling how he himself had lost a cow to lightning a few years ago.

An Emotional and Financial Blow

For Blackwelder, the loss goes far beyond financial devastation—it’s deeply personal. “They’re not like pets, but I’ve raised every one of those cows since they were calves,” he told the Springfield News-Leader. “When you handle dairy cows twice a day, every day, you form a connection with them. It hits you hard.”

Financially, the loss is staggering. Each certified organic dairy cow was valued between $2,000 and $2,500, bringing the total estimated loss to nearly $60,000.

Although Blackwelder has insurance, he remains uncertain whether his policy will cover the full extent of his losses. And unfortunately, most farmers in similar situations aren’t even insured for such events.

“Most producers don’t carry insurance for their livestock,” Coday explained. “If you lose a cow, you lose everything. It’s a crushing blow.”

No Recovery Possible

In the aftermath of the tragedy, some neighbors asked whether the meat from the cows could be salvaged. Coday clarified that this was not possible.

“Those animals had been exposed for several hours before they were found,” he explained. “For meat to be processed for human consumption, there are strict procedures and guidelines that must be followed. These cows couldn’t have met those standards.”

The loss wasn’t just financial—it also underscored the vulnerability of farmers who depend on their livestock for their livelihood.

The Challenges of Farm Infrastructure

One question that often arises in such incidents is whether better shelter could have prevented the tragedy. However, Coday pointed out that most farms in Missouri lack separate barns for cows, largely due to the region’s mild climate.

“In Missouri, we don’t typically see the harsh winters or weather conditions that require dedicated livestock barns,” he said. “It’s just not a common investment for farmers in this area.”

Instead, most cows are kept in open pastures, where they’re free to graze. While this approach is practical for daily operations, it leaves livestock vulnerable during severe storms.

The Road to Recovery

For Jared Blackwelder, the days following the tragedy have been filled with grief, uncertainty, and tough decisions about the future of his farm. Losing 32 cows represents not just a financial loss, but also an emotional one that will take time to heal.

This incident serves as a harsh reminder of the unpredictable nature of farming life. Farmers invest not only their money but also their time, care, and emotions into their livestock. And in moments like these, it becomes painfully clear how fragile that investment can be.

“Farming is a gamble,” Coday said. “You can do everything right, but at the end of the day, you’re still at the mercy of nature.”

Despite the tragedy, the resilience of Missouri’s farming community shines through. Neighbors, local farmers, and agricultural organizations have rallied around the Blackwelder family, offering support and resources to help them recover.

A Sobering Reality

While lightning strikes on farms remain rare, they are a sobering reminder of the risks farmers face every day. For Jared and Misty Blackwelder, this storm wasn’t just another part of farm life—it was a life-changing event.

In the face of such loss, one thing remains clear: farmers like the Blackwelders will continue to persevere, even when the odds feel insurmountable.

As Coday put it, “Farming isn’t just a job—it’s a way of life. And it takes incredible strength to keep going after something like this.”

The Blackwelders’ story is a testament to the courage and resilience of farmers everywhere, who face the whims of nature with grit and determination every single day.