Drought triggers federal assistance

 

Last updated 6/5/2014 at 4:04pm



A recent disaster designation due to drought in Lincoln County has prompted federal disaster relief for local farmers and ranchers.

A Secretarial (Secretary of Agriculture) Disaster Designation was automatically activated on May 28, 2014 when Chelan, Lincoln and Walla Walla counties reached a D2 drought condition based on the U.S. Drought Monitor for eight consecutive weeks. The designation makes available FSA emergency loans. In addition, the eight weeks coinciding with the grazing season triggers the Livestock Forage Program (LFP) in the designated counties.

Farmers and ranchers have eight months from the date of the designation to apply for emergency loans. The loans are low interest, currently 3.125% percent, with payment terms of up to 40 years. FSA will consider each loan application on its own merits, taking into account the extent of losses, security available and repayment ability.

“The late snowpack in the mountains really helped for irrigation, but much of the precipitation received on the fields in late winter ran off the land as the ground was frozen; many dryland farmers are short soil moisture,” said Melissa Michael, Farm Service Agency County Executive Director for Lincoln County. “These programs can help producers withstand the adverse conditions.”

The Livestock Forage Program provides assistance to eligible producers who have suffered grazing losses due to drought or fire. For drought, LFP payments are equal to 60 percent of the monthly feed cost. Currently, Lincoln County producers are eligible for one month of financial assistance. “This could change if the drought continues,” said Michael.

Additional programs available to assist farmers and ranchers include the Emergency Conservation Program, the Livestock Indemnity Program, the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program, and the Tree Assistance Program. Interested farmers may contact their local USDA Service Centers for further information on eligibility requirements and application procedures for these and other programs. Additional information is also available online at http://disaster.fsa.usda.gov.

 

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