U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines and Congressman Matt Rosendale today urged USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack to approve Governor Greg Gianforte’s request to designate ALL counties in Montana as primary natural disaster areas due to extreme drought conditions. The letter also includes a request for the authorization of emergency haying and grazing on Conservation Reserve Program land to provide additional forage for livestock.
“As you know, over 90% of Montana is facing drought conditions with eastern Montana significantly impacted. Designating Montana counties as primary natural disaster areas will ensure Montana farmers and ranchers can access critical resources and USDA programs to manage these challenging conditions. Additionally, authorizing emergency haying and grazing on CRP lands will help Montana ranchers provide additional forage for their livestock and I urge you to ensure that producers have sufficient time and flexibility to hay and bale viable CRP land in response to this drought,” the letter states.
Read the full letter HERE.
Currently there are 31 counties in Montana designated for drought relief.
Both Senator Daines and Representative Rosendale have been vocal in his support of Governor Gianforte’s request for drought relief and will continue to fight for Montana farmers and ranchers.
In June, Daines and Rosendale urged Interior Secretary Deb Haaland to open the Charles M. Russell Wildlife Refuge for emergency livestock grazing due to extreme drought conditions in Montana.
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Contact: Katherine McKeogh, Katie Schoettler