Drought assistance is on the way.
The Fourth of July is one of my favorite holidays, and I know I’m not alone.
For most folks, the holiday usually means backyard barbeques, parades, fireworks, and a break from the usual nine-to-five grind.
Now is one of those times.
I’ve been working with U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Sonny Perdue to identify ways that we can get some much-needed assistance to livestock producers faster and break down unnecessary bureaucratic barriers that make farming and ranching more difficult, particularly now during the drought.
On one hand, USDA was telling producers to destroy useable hay on some CRP-enrolled acres.
Shortly after the announcement about hay destruction, I shared a bit of South Dakota commonsense with Secretary Perdue: You should never destroy hay when it could be used to feed cattle and help livestock owners who are struggling, especially during a severe drought.
I also encouraged him to authorize emergency haying and grazing on CRP-enrolled land in all counties that have a border within 150 miles of a county that’s been approved for emergency haying or grazing of CRP.
That’s a big win for South Dakota farmers and ranchers and the livestock on which their livelihoods depend.
I will continue to work with USDA — and hold the agency’s feet to the fire when necessary — to ensure it’s doing all it can to assist South Dakota’s producers during these difficult times.