Note: we are republishing this story which originally made the news in May 2017.

A Missouri dairy farmer is facing a heartbreaking loss after a sudden lightning strike killed 32 of his cows in a single moment.

Jared Blackwelder, a Texas County dairy farmer, began his usual morning routine around 4 a.m. Saturday, milking his herd before the sun rose. As he was finishing up and heading back to the barn, a massive lightning bolt struck nearby, sending flames down the fences.

“It was so bright, I could barely see,” Blackwelder recalled.

A Shocking Discovery

Hours later, when it was time for the next milking, Blackwelder made a grim discovery. His cows, huddled together trying to escape the storm, had been struck and killed.

“I walked over the hill and saw them lying there,” he said. “It was just devastating.”

A veterinarian confirmed that the lightning had instantly killed all 32 cows.

Farming Community Rallies Behind Him

The Wright County Missouri Farm Bureau shared the tragic event on Facebook, and the post quickly went viral. Over 14,000 people shared the story, and thousands left words of support.

“Sending prayers from Scotland,” one person wrote. “They weren’t just cows—they were a farmer’s livelihood.”

Another person, familiar with the farming life, commented, “Most people don’t understand how tough farming is. Every day is a gamble. My heart goes out to this family.”

A Costly Setback

Blackwelder said he does have insurance, but he’s unsure if it will fully cover the financial loss. His cows were certified organic, making them worth twice as much as regular dairy cattle. Each one was valued between $2,000 and $2,500, totaling more than $60,000 in damages.

For now, he is waiting on the insurance adjuster before removing the carcasses.

“When cows get hit by lightning, you can’t use them,” he explained. “It basically destroys them from the inside.”

Moving Forward

Blackwelder, who has been in the dairy business since 2007, has lost a few cows to lightning before, but never at this scale.

The veterinarian examining the site said that in his decades of experience, the most he’d ever seen killed in one strike was six—far fewer than what Blackwelder lost.

Despite this huge loss, he remains grateful that he still has 120 cows remaining on his farm near Cabool, Missouri.

His farm supplies organic milk through Organic Valley Coop, which is sold at Mama Jean’s and Ruby’s Market in Springfield.

Blackwelder hopes to rebuild his herd over time, but for now, he’s left grappling with an unthinkable loss.

Sources: Springfield