NRCS Alabama Announces Drought Funding.
WASHINGTON, June 27, 2017 – USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) State Conservationist for Alabama Ben Malone announced that the agency is providing funding to assist landowners impacted by last year’s extreme drought.
Agricultural producers statewide suffered losses from months with low rainfall.
Funding will be provided through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and will address fencing, water troughs, pasture, hay land re-establishment, wells, and prescribed grazing.
Measures such as planting drought affected cool season grasses such as fescue and installing water tanks and fencing will make lands more sustainable.
“Landowners across the state have weathered the drought for months and these funds will assist them in replenishing losses and doing what they can to help their grazing lands recover,” said State Conservationist Ben Malone.
During the worst of the drought, USDA reported more than $30 million in disaster funds were distributed nationally for livestock feed programs and non-insured disaster support.
In addition, because livestock feed was in short supply, cattle sales were 19% ahead of 2015.
This impacted the value of livestock that was sold.
Alabama landowners who are interested in applying for drought funding should contact their local USDA service center to learn more.