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tle died of congestive heart failure brought on by stress, according to South Dakota State Veterinarian Dustin Oedekoven.
• There is no firm number on North Dakota's losses, but they are believed to number more than 1,000 animals.
• Donations to the North Dakota fund came from people, businesses, youth groups, civic organizations, breed associations and church groups from across the United States, said Towner rancher Jason Zahn, who's president of the North Dakota Stockmen's Association and the Stockmen's Foundation.
• "We were really happy. We didn't know what to expect," he said. "We also didn't know if we'd get any applications. Sometimes it's tough to get people to admit they need help."
• A committee of Stockmen's leaders evaluated applications and selected recipients based on need.
• "The disaster relief applications were filled with stories of tragedy and triumph," Zahn said. "We empathize with what they went through to protect and care for their herds during that incredible storm."
• The Rancher Relief Fund set up by the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association, the South Dakota Cattlemen's Association and the South Dakota Sheep Growers Association continues to accept donations.
• Stockgrowers Executive Director Silvia Christen said Thursday that $4.2 million has been doled out to about 600 ranchers, and a decision will be made in early April on distributing the rest.
• "We are totally blown away by the generosity," she said. "It's just been an incredible outpouring. We certainly didn't expect this kind of response from around the country. It's been very overwhelming and very humbling."
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• OMAHA, Neb. (AP) -- An economist says a survey of bankers in 10 Midwest and Plains states suggests the regional economy is experiencing slow to no growth.
• The Rural Mainstreet Index rose slightly above growth neutral in March, to 50.1, compared with 48.4 in February.
• The survey indexes range from 0 to 100, with 50 representing growth neutral. A score above 50 suggests growth in that factor in the months ahead.
• Creighton University economist Ernie Goss oversees the survey, and he says the region will need to see more increases in farm commodity prices to push the agriculture-based economy back into healthy growth territory.

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