Tester launches new online drought resource site

Senator’s webpage includes helpful resources for dealing with this year’s drought

(BIG SANDY, Mont.)  – As Montana farmers and ranchers continue to battle the worst drought in decades,  Senator Jon Tester is launching a new website to provide Montanans with useful resources.

Tester’s new website, tester.senate.gov/drought, includes information about resources available to Montanans suffering from the drought. 

The website contains drought tracking information, including links to the national Drought Monitor and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Drought Information Center.

Tester’s site also includes a link to HayNet.  HayNet is a Farm Service Agency site where farmers and ranchers can find ranchers in drought and wildfire-affected areas who are in need of hay.

“Farmers and ranchers throughout Montana are dealing with the worst drought in a generation and we’ve got to make sure that folks know the resources available to help them get through the summer,” Tester said.

Tester is leading a bipartisan effort to establish a drought task force to help Montanans and Americans affected by this summer's drought. He is also calling on the United States Department of Agriculture to improve the accuracy of the drought monitor used to measure drought severity.

Montanans looking for more information should visit tester.senate.gov/drought or call Tester’s office toll-free at 866-544-4403.

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