ORLANDO, Fla. – A lightning strike killed four cows and a calf on a Marion County farm during severe thunderstorms over the weekend, according to the National Weather Service in Jacksonville and the farm owner.
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Lettelier Brangus, a private cattle breeding operation in northern Marion County, said the animals were found beneath a tree after storms moved through the area late Saturday night.
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The farm said the loss included several of its top-bred donor cows, identified as LB Ms. Stormi, LB Ms. Black Pearl and LB Ms. Jolene.
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“Today we woke up to a sight no cattle farmer ever wants to see,” the farm said in a social media post. “While we are devastated to lose some of our top cattle, we know their genetics will continue to be represented in our herd for years to come.”
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The National Weather Service shared condolences with the family and used the incident as a reminder about lightning safety.
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“No place outside is safe during a thunderstorm. That includes under a tree,” the agency said in a statement.
The NWS said that if thunder can be heard, a person is close enough to be struck by lightning.
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