USDA offering disaster assistance to Minnesota farmers impacted by drought

(FOX 9) - The U.S. Department of Agriculture will be offering disaster relief to Minnesota farmers impacted by this year's drought, according to Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith.

The USDA will be able to provide help with compensation for transportation costs, cost-share and technical assistance and guaranteed loans. Affected farmers and livestock producers are asked to contact their local USDA office.

Drought has cattle farmers questioning the future

With pastures not feeding their herds, farmers have to weigh the high cost of hay versus selling their cows

The announcement comes after the senators and a bipartisan group of Minnesota congress members sent a letter asking the USDA to allow emergency haying and grazing of Conservation Reserve Program land. Gov. Tim Walz also sent a similar letter.

According to the latest map from the U.S. Drought Monitor, the majority of Minnesota is under a severe or extreme drought. The tough conditions have forced some cattle farmers into early retirement, Minnesota State Cattlemen’s Association says.