State Ag Department Wants Input On Drought Relief

Friday marks the deadline for South Dakota farmers and ranchers to share their ideas on drought disaster relief with the South Dakota Department of Agriculture.

Agriculture Secretary Walt Bones says the department is asking those affected by the drought what they could the department could better.

Bones says many farmers have developed a safety net for drought conditions but livestock ranchers don't have the same assistance.

Bones says quite a few CRP acres were opened up to emergency haying and grazing but only about half got harvested. He says the department would like to know what it can do to encourage more people to use those acres.

Producers are encouraged to e-mail their comments and suggestions by Friday, Nov. 16, to agmail@state.sd.us, call 605-773-5425, or write the South Dakota Department of Agriculture, 523 E Capitol Ave., Pierre, SD 57501.