Western United Dairymen officials say that dairy producers in California are still assessing the damage the triple-digit heat wave that lingered in the state during the month of July. More than 20,000 dairy cows were lost in the severe weather. Federal agencies plan to make low-interest emergency loans available to farmers.

The estimated value for total livestock losses is $52 million. Milk-production losses are estimated at $228.6 million. “Because the dairy industry is so dominant in so many of these communities … it has a very significant ripple effect. Dairy suppliers, trucking companies, feed suppliers, a whole bunch of industries that are tied directly to the dairy industry will also feel that effect until we’re able to get ourselves back on track,” says Michael Marsh, chief executive officer of Western United Dairymen in Modesto.