Sale benefits dairy destroyed by tornado

Continuing to feel the outpouring of support from the community, Mike and Cindy Mitchell stepped into the sale ring at Portales Livestock for a $136,375 check.

The check was the result of a benefit sale sponsored by Portales Livestock owner Randy Bouldin to help the couple. The Mitchell’s business, Grande Vida Dairy, was destroyed in the March 23 tornado.

“We feel it was our obligation to help,” Bouldin said. “There was a lot of support from the dairies.”

Cattle were donated by dairies throughout the area to be sold at the auction, said Bouldin.

Cindy used to work for Bouldin at the Portales sale barn, where she met Mike. The couple have been married for almost four years now, she said.

“He (Randy) was my boss and he’s a real good guy,” Cindy Mitchell said.

In a day filled with emotion, the couple was able to purchase heifers that will be used to replace the nearly 250 head of cattle that have been lost so far as a result of the storm, said Mike Mitchell.

“We expect to lose 300 head before it is over,” Mike Mitchell said.

With support from family, friends and the community, the Mitchell’s have been working nonstop to rebuild their dairy. For now the couple are leasing a facility until the dairy is rebuilt.

“We plan to be back in our own facility in four months,” Mitchell said.

The couple isn’t sure what, if any, help they’ll seek from the Small Business Administration or the United States Department of Agriculture.

“We’re confident that we’re going to make it. It’s been a terrible setback,” Mike Mitchell said.

Continuing on in the face of tragedy, the couple expressed the gratefulness to their families, employees and neighbors.

“The communities of Roosevelt County and Curry County have the kindest hearted people of anywhere I know,” Mike Mitchell said.

“We want to thank everybody for everything they have done. Thank you for being so kind,” Cindy Mitchell said.

By the numbers

118,700 — Dollars from heifer sales

20,010 — Dollars in monetary donations

63 — Number of heifers sold

136,375 — Total benefit proceeds