Drought Aid Package Available for Producers and Ranchers, Notes NCGA (8-29-06)

In an effort to assist those farmers and ranchers who have been negatively impacted by drought and other weather related events this season, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns today announced a $780 million drought assistance package, notes the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA). The funding package utilizes new, refocused-unused funds and accelerated payments.

The funding includes the new Livestock Assistance Grant Program which will provide $50 million for livestock producers impacted by drought. Also included is nearly $30 million in unused conservation funds ($19 million in unused Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) funds and $11 million in unused Grassland Reserve Program (GRP). The ECP funds will go to 27 states. USDA will also provide for accelerated delivery of an estimated $700 million in 2005- crop year counter-cyclical payments.

In addition, USDA also noted emergency loans and federal crop insurance and noninsured crop disaster assistance programs are also available to help producers in disaster areas.

Fore more information on the USDA drought assistance package, please click on www.usda.gov.