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SUSSEX - When John Schuttenbeld needed a home for 65 dairy cows, he turned to a local acquaintance at Sussex Farm Supplies for help.

Enlarge Photo

Ray Bourgeois / CanadaEast News Service

These cows, like those on John Schuttenbeld’s farm, were rescued by military barge when the St. John River flooded recently. Schuttenbeld’s cattle are staying at two Sussex area farms until his farm is back up and running.

Schuttenbeld's Maugerville farm, like many, was being overrun by the flooded St. John River when he called Paul Bettle to see if there was anything he could do.

Bettle, in turn, put the call out to local producers to see if there was a way they could take in and care for the displaced cows carried to safety by a military barge earlier this month.

"First two people I called agreed," Bettle said.

Twenty-eight of the cows ended up at the Robinson family's Hazelhill Farm. The rest went to Walkerville Farm in Wards Creek. John Robinson said he has known Schuttenbeld for years and didn't think twice about opening his barn up, but insists anyone else in the farming community would have done the same if asked.

"It was quite an ordeal for them, a lot of work," he said. "Usually when someone needs help or needs a hand there's usually people there. We're more than happy to do it."

The cattle were brought here and were first put up at Coleman Anderson's farm and moved the next day in small groups to the Hazelhill and Walkerville farms.

As it turns out, the Robinsons and Walkers both use the same milking equipment as the Schuttenbelds, which at first may not seem like an important detail, but it is important to the cows.

"There's a lot less stress for the animals if I could get them placed there," Bettle said.

Other local farms are also chipping in by offering extra feed and silage for the host farms while they care for the extra cows.

Thousands of New Brunswickers were forced to fight or flee the rising St. John River when it swelled beyond its banks.

The water has begun its sluggish retreat and the clean up effort has begun in earnest. The damage to the roads and highways alone in the affected areas is said to be in the millions of dollars.