WASHINGTON, D.C. (KWWL) -
As the drought continues across the country, US Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack is now offering up new disaster assistance for farmers and ranchers.
First, Vilsack is expanding emergency haying and grazing on approximately 3.8 million acres of conservation land to bring greater relief to livestock producers dealing with shortages of hay and pastureland.
Second, the Secretary announced that crop insurance companies have agreed to provide a short grace period for farmers on insurance premiums in 2012. As a result, farming families now have an extra 30 days to make payments without incurring interest penalties on unpaid premiums.
There are also now 218 additional counties in 12 states, including Iowa, considered primary natural disaster areas due to damage and losses caused by drought and excessive heat. More than half of all counties in the US have been designated disaster areas this year, mostly due to drought.
"President Obama and I will continue to take swift action to get help to America's farmers and ranchers through this difficult time," said Vilsack. "The assistance announced today will help U.S. livestock producers dealing with climbing feed prices, critical shortages of hay and deteriorating pasturelands. Responding to my request, crop insurance companies indicated that producers can forgo interest penalties to help our nation's farm families struggling with cash flow challenges. The Obama Administration intends to continue helping those who farm or ranch and live and work in rural America through this period of hardship."
Newest counties in Iowa added to the disaster declaration:
Iowa
Appanoose
Benton
Black Hawk
Boone
Bremer
Buchanan
Butler
Cedar
Clayton
Clinton
Davis
Delaware
Des Moines
Dubuque
Fayette
Grundy
Hamilton
Hardin
Henry
Iowa
Jackson
Jasper
Jefferson
Johnson
Jones
Keokuk
Lee
Linn
Lucas
Mahaska
Marion
Marshall
Monroe
Muscatine
Polk
Poweshiek
Scott
Story
Tama
Van Buren
Wapello
Wayne
