ND Farmers Union head calls for disaster bill amid extreme drought.
BISMARCK — Facing historically dry conditions affecting the state’s farmers and ranchers, the president of the North Dakota Farmers Union called on Congress to provide emergency financial assistance Tuesday, July 11.
"It’s time for agriculture to once again get the federal support that it should have, because we provide the highest-quality, best food system in the world," Mark Watne said.
"We’re going to need help with a disaster bill."
Doug Burgum declared a statewide fire and drought emergency in late June, citing extremely dry conditions, lack of precipitation and high winds.
Following a historically wet six months, North Dakota experienced its ninth-driest spring since 1890 this year, according to a presentation from North Dakota State Climatologist Adnan Akyuz.
State and federal agencies have taken some steps to provide relief, including Monday’s announcement that the U.S. Department of Agriculture would open Conservation Reserve Program acres for haying within 150 miles of severe drought areas.
"In some cases, ranch families that have had challenges with drought might be able to look a couple counties (away) and find some available feedstuff or find some grazing," she said.
Sen. Heidi Heitkamp, D-N.D., said she would be "on board" with a disaster bill, but she said those bills tend to be temporary.
He noted the worst drought conditions are largely concentrated in North Dakota, South Dakota and Montana.