More Than 200 Cows Die At Myakka City Dairy Farm During Hurricane Ian

MYAKKA CITY, FL — More than 200 cows at Dakin Dairy Farms in Myakka City died during Hurricane Ian last week, the business shared Saturday on its Facebook page.

The area was hard hit when the powerful storm pummeled Southwest Florida Wednesday. Because of significant flooding to the Myakka River, many residents in the region have been unable to leave their homes and there’s “a massive humanitarian and health initiative” in eastern Manatee County, according to a county news release.

“The devastation caused by Hurricane Ian is unimaginable,” Dakin wrote in a post. “Our dairy took a major hit, and it rocked us to our core. We have lost over 200 head with that number still rising.”

• Stay up-to-date by viewing all Hurricane Ian coverage on Patch here.

Founded by Jeanette and Pete Dakin, the Dakin family has been milking cows in Manatee County since 1973. The family got its start decades earlier in Maine, in 1948, when Pete started a dairy farm there, according to the company’s website.

Today, Cameron, Farren and Jerry Dakin own the three remaining dairy farms in Manatee County.

In the wake of Hurricane Ian, farm tours are canceled, and Dakin’s public area is closed indefinitely as the company recovers.

Dakin called out for community support to help with the farm’s recovery.

On Sunday, the dairy farm posted, “Help! We are in need of someone who is able to hang an electric panel, meter on a new pole, and hook it up. We are also in need of a track skid steer with a grappling bucket. We also need help in that same area with some clean-up of roofing. Please reach out if you know anyone who can help.”

In previous posts, Dakin also put calls out for specialists to treat the surviving cows' hooves, as well as plumbers, electricians and welders.

“Our barns are in shambles and don’t have power to run the fans to keep the girls cool,” the farm wrote.

Though it has its own recovery and restoration, Dakin has also stepped up to serve the local community in Hurricane Ian’s aftermath.

“We are reaching out to the community not only for help, but to provide help, as well. We have power and showers and plenty of milk,” Dakin wrote on Facebook.

On Sunday, they hosted the Ocala Youth Ministries, which cooked and provided hot meals for 500 people.

Dakin is also collecting donations for Hurricane Ian survivors in Myakka City, North Port and Arcadia from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily this week.

Items needed include batteries, flashlights, beddings, air mattresses, tarps, water, non-perishable food, personal hygiene items, pet food, toilet paper and paper towels.

“There are families that have lost everything so we are still trying to collect donations, so we are able to disperse them to people in need,” Dakin wrote. “Please, if you know anyone who is (in) need, please tell them to come to the farm, we will feed them, and give them essential supplies.”

Related Stories:

• Beware Of Scams, Fraud In Wake Of Hurricane Ian, FL Officials Say
• Roads Closed In Manatee County Days After Hurricane Ian
• Hurricane Ian: 100 Deaths, Debate Over Evacuations, 581K With No Power
• More Than 200 Cows Die At Myakka City Dairy Farm During Hurricane Ian