Tester Announces Additional Assistance for Montana Counties Affected by Drought

Senator Secures Assistance so Farmers and Ranchers Can Hay and Access Emergency Loan Program

(U.S. Senate) – U.S. Senator Jon Tester announced today that farmers and ranchers experiencing extreme drought in eastern Montana will have access to additional assistance through U.S. Department of Agriculture disaster relief programs.

“Farmers and ranchers in eastern Montana are experiencing a devastating drought,” Tester said. “This assistance will help pull them through tough times so they can continue to be an important part of our state’s economy.”

Farmers and ranchers operating in areas with D2 or higher drought designations are eligible to begin haying their Conservation Reserve Program lands beginning July 16. Additionally, they can apply for assistance through the USDA’s emergency loan program.

Two weeks ago, Tester announced that farmers and ranchers were eligible for payments through the USDA’s Livestock Forage Disaster Program.

Tester, the Senate’s only farmer, has held several farm bill listening sessions across the state. Tester will be advocating for Montana priorities in the next farm bill, which comes up for reauthorization in 2018.

Tester recently sent a letter to USDA urging them to assist eastern Montana ranchers during this drought.