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Minnesota’s U.S. Senators welcome drought relief for farmers

Minnesota’s U.S. Senators have helped provide drought relief to farmers.

Democrats Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith say USDA answered their requests to allow emergency haying and grazing on Conservation Reserve Program land with Wednesday’s announcement that 79 counties considered to be in severe drought are now eligible.

Smith calls the drought devastating and says she’s glad USDA authorized haying and grazing on CRP land.

Klobuchar says the announcement is a step in the right direction as the drought creates incredibly difficult conditions for farmers and livestock producers.

The emergency designation is based on the latest U.S. Drought Monitor, and producers must notify their local Farm Service Agency office before starting any activities.

The drought is most severe along the entire western border of Minnesota, but dryness has been expanding east.