Drought-ridden states seek more help from USDA

Senators from the drought-stricken Dakotas and Montana are pressing for more relief for livestock operators. 

Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., is calling on Ag Secretary Perdue to allow emergency haying in addition to the emergency grazing expansion that was announced June 29. said.

Perdue’s June 29 decision allows emergency grazing of CRP acreage in counties whose borders lie within 150 miles of a county approved for emergency grazing of CRP. In addition, CRP contract holders who are allowed to hay their CRP acreage under their mid-management contract plan can donate their hay to livestock producers without a penalty.

“CRP contract holders still have the ability to sell their hay with a 25-percent reduction in their annual rental payment as they’ve been fully authorized to do in the past,” USDA said.