This could be the largest single loss of cattle in US history as over 18,000 dairy cows have been killed in a massive explosion and fire Monday in the Texas panhandle.

Reports have started coming in that a large explosion and fire consumed the dairy cows at a huge ranch near Lubbock Monday night around 7:30 PM. The ranch is the Southfork Dairy Farm in Dimmit, Texas, there was one person injured in the explosion and fire, that person was a farm worker and she was reportedly life-flighted to a hospital in Lubbock where she remains in critical condition.

UMC-EMS - Castro County Sheriff's Dept Photo
UMC-EMS - Castro County Sheriff's Dept Photo
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The barn area where the cattle were housed is most likely a total loss according to Castro County Sheriff Sal Rivera in the video below.

Dairy Farm Explosion and Fire - Castro County Sheriff's Department Photo
Dairy Farm Explosion and Fire - Castro County Sheriff's Department Photo
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The cause of the explosion and fire is currently under investigation by the State Fire Marshall's Office, but the Sheriff was speculating that it may have been a device that is supposed to remove the manure and wastewater from the area that may have overheated and caught fire causing a chain reaction and explosion.

TX Upwards of 18,000 cows die in explosion - WRAL
TX Upwards of 18,000 cows die in explosion - WRAL
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According to the Castro County Sheriff's Department Facebook Page:

Castro County Sheriff"s Office, the Dimmitt, Hart and Nazareth Fire Departments respond to an explosion and fire at the Southfork Dairy Farms located on the 1600 blk of CR 624 which is approximately 11 miles southeast of Dimmitt. Upon arrival it was determined that one person was trapped inside and fire crews were able to locate the person and remove them from the building. The person was flown to the UMC Hospital in Lubbock. All (other) employees were accounted for. Other first responders that responded to the scene: Tulia FD, Muleshoe FD, Springlake FD, Earth FD, and the Sunnyside VFD, Bailey County Sheriff"s Office, Lamb County Sheriff"s Office, Swisher County Sheriff"s Office, Texas State Fire Marshal Office, Texas Highway Patrol, the Texas Department of Emergency Management, Tulia EMS, AMR EMS, Earth EMS, and the UMC Multi-patient EMS ambus. Emergency crews were on (the) scene until after 11 p.m.

Thanks to WRAL TV for the video below:

Does anyone care to speculate on what may happen to the price of milk?

Where is Castro County, Texas?

Stay tuned...

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