WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and John Thune (R-SD), both members of the Senate Agriculture Committee, sent a letter to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) requesting swift action from the department to ensure livestock producers have additional emergency haying and grazing options as the drought continues. The senators specifically asked for clarifications regarding emergency haying when the U.S. Drought Monitor designates D3 extreme drought conditions.

“Livestock producers in Minnesota and South Dakota are particularly concerned about certain Conservation Reserve Program acres that are eligible for emergency haying and grazing under D2 conditions but are ineligible when a county moves to D3 conditions. When conditions on the ground worsen, producers already facing a shortage of hay and available grazing lands should be provided with more options—not fewer,” the senators wrote.

Klobuchar has worked to support Minnesota’s rural communities throughout the drought. Earlier this month, she successfully advocated for the USDA to allow producers to request emergency haying and grazing authorizations on Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) land.

She also helped secure additional technical and financial assistance for farmers and livestock producers impacted by the ongoing droughts.

Full text of the letter can be found HERE and below.

Dear Administrator Ducheneaux:

We write in response to the significant concerns that we have heard from farmers and ranchers in our states about persistent drought conditions and the lack of flexibility on emergency haying when the U.S. Drought Monitor designates D3 extreme drought conditions.  We urge you to prioritize quick action to ensure that livestock producers have more emergency options as drought conditions worsen.

Livestock producers in Minnesota and South Dakota are particularly concerned about certain Conservation Reserve Program acres that are eligible for emergency haying and grazing under D2 conditions but are ineligible when a county moves to D3 conditions.  When conditions on the ground worsen, producers already facing a shortage of hay and available grazing lands should be provided with more options—not fewer. 

Our understanding is that administrative policy changes were made earlier this year with respect to emergency haying of wetland restoration acres under D3 conditions.  We respectfully request clarification about those changes, and we urge you to prioritize quick action to ensure that livestock producers have additional emergency options as drought conditions worsen.  We look forward to working with you to ensure a quick recovery from the drought. 

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