USDA Announces Steps to Help Farmers with Drought

While much of the midwest is in a moderate to severe drought, many farmers are feeling the effects of their dying crop, such as this farm west of Center Point, Iowa, on Tuesday, July 11, 2012. (Nikole Hanna/The Gazette-KCRG)

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By Kara Kelly

Story Created: Jul 11, 2012 at 1:05 PM CDT

Story Updated: Jul 11, 2012 at 1:05 PM CDT

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture is streamlining the process for farmers to apply for government disaster help as crops in many states burn up in the widest drought in nearly 25 years.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says more than 1,000 counties nationwide will automatically qualify for disaster assistance if they're in a severe drought for at least eight weeks or were in extreme drought this growing season.

The department also is lowering the interest rate on emergency loans to 2.25 percent from 3.75 percent. As much as $39 million is available under the program.

In addition, the government will help farmers use part of the land set aside in a conservation program for hay or grazing since the drought is expected to reduce the amount of corn available for feed.

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