Another 39 Counties Added to USDA's Natural Disaster Areas List

By CnAgri2012-07-19 19:06:43 Print

Worsening drought conditions prompted the USDA to designate 39 additional counties as primary natural disaster areas. The agency has designated nearly 1,300 counties across 29 states as disaster areas. The additional counties designated are in Arkansas, Georgia, Indiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Tennessee, Utah and Wyoming.

The U.S. Drought Monitor currently reports that 61 percent of the continental U.S. is in a moderate to exceptional drought. All qualified farm operators in designated areas are eligible for low-interest emergency loans, according to USDA.

Drought conditions have damaged or slowed the maturation of crops such as corn and soybeans, as well as pasture- and range-land.

The agency said USDA subcabinet leaders are traveling to affected areas to augment ongoing assistance from state-level USDA staff and provide guidance on existing disaster resources.