More drought disaster declarations from USDA

Washington—USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack on July 25 designated 76 additional counties in six states as primary natural disaster areas due to damage and losses caused by drought and excessive heat. During the 2012 crop year, USDA has designated a total of 1,369 counties across 31 states as disaster areas, with 1,234 of those designations due to drought. The additional counties designated on July 25 are in Indiana, Illinois, Kansas, Michigan, Nebraska, and Wisconsin. All qualified farm operators in the designated areas are eligible for low-interest emergency loans. “The President and I are committed to ensuring that agriculture remains a bright spot in our nation’s economy by sustaining the successes of America’s agricultural economy through these difficult times,” Vilsack said. “As USDA officials visit drought-stricken areas to stand with our producers and rural communities, the urgency for Congress to pass a food, farm, and jobs bill is greater than ever. The hardworking Americans who produce our food and fiber, feed for our livestock, and contribute to a home-grown energy policy – they need action now. That is why USDA is taking every possible step to help farmers through this difficult time.” USDA also announced that it will allow additional acres under CRP to be used for emergency haying or grazing. The action will allow lands that are currently classified as abnormally dry but not yet under severe drought to be used for haying and grazing. In addition, USDA is allowing producers to modify current Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) contracts to allow for grazing, livestock watering, and other conservation activities, and has authorized haying and grazing of Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) easement areas in drought-affected areas where haying and grazing is consistent with conservation of wildlife habitat and wetlands. Vilsack also reduced the interest rate for emergency loans from 3.75 percent to 2.25 percent, and announced plans to encourage crop insurance companies to provide a short grace period for farmers on unpaid insurance premiums.