The Tornado’s Toll: 55,000 Birds Perished or Escaped & Over Two Million Dollars in Damages

Published On: July 16, 2024Categories: History

At MacFarlane Pheasants, our roots run deep. For 95 years, MacFarlane has been dedicated to producing the finest game birds in the US and even the world. Unfortunately, at the end of June, a devastating tornado struck our Janesville farm, bringing unforeseen challenges.

The damage has been significant. This storm has reduced our bird population, and our operations have been greatly impacted. Today, we want to share the extent of the impact and our determined steps toward recovery.

The Loss of Spanish Red Leg Partridges

One of the most profound losses we’ve experienced is the collapse of a building housing Spanish Red Leg Partridges. Sadly, we lost approximately 27,000 Spanish Red Leg Partridges in this disaster, which represents over 30% of our annual red leg production.

28,000 Pheasants Lost or Escaped

In addition to the partridges, our pheasant population has been severely affected. Another brooder barn, crucial to our operations, sustained heavy damage, leading to the escape and loss of thousands of pheasants.

The tornado destroyed over 16 acres of pheasant pens, ripping to shreds the netting that contains the birds. In an average year, due to the elements, our farm replaces 50 to 75 6-inch top posts that hold the netting up. In comparison, over 2,000 posts were broken during this storm. Because of the pen and barn damage, approximately 28,000 pheasants were lost or escaped.

Finding Secure Housing

With this damage, we are now facing the challenge of rebuilding these critical structures. The immediate focus has been on securing temporary shelters and ensuring that all our birds are safely housed, but the road to full recovery will be a long one.

We have worked to secure barns in Orfordville, Jefferson, and Janesville to temporarily house our birds while we work toward recovery.

Financial Impact and Recovery Costs

The financial implications of this disaster are substantial. The cost of repairing infrastructure, renting additional barns, and managing the displaced birds will cost well over two million dollars.

The loss of our Spanish Red Leg Partridges alone represents a significant financial setback, compounded by the broader impact on our operations. Despite these challenges, we are committed to maintaining our high standards and fulfilling our client commitments.

Supporting Our Dedicated Employees

At the heart of MacFarlane Pheasants are our 90 dedicated employees. Each member of our team plays a crucial role in our success, and their safety and well-being have been our top priority throughout this ordeal.

In the aftermath of the tornado, our employees have shown remarkable resilience and adaptability. Many have taken on new roles to assist with the recovery efforts, working tirelessly to stabilize operations and care for our birds.

A Commitment to Humane Practices and Future Resilience

While this tornado has undoubtedly set us back, it has also reinforced our resolve to rebuild stronger and more resilient than before. We are already laying out plans to enhance our facilities and operations to withstand future challenges.

As we move forward, we extend our deepest gratitude to our team for their hard work and to our community for their unwavering support. We are confident in our ability to overcome these setbacks and continue our legacy of excellence and humane care.

For more updates on our recovery efforts and operations, stay connected with us through our blog and social media channels.