The Farm Service Agency talked about drought programs and more during the South Dakota Governor’s Ag Summit. FSA Administrator Zach Ducheneaux says most programs triggered by the U.S. Drought Monitor are available in South Dakota, including the Livestock Forage Program. “It’s a big help to livestock producers. There’s also an Emergency Conservation Program to help with water and then, there’s the Emergency Assistance for Livestock Program.” On August 1, farmers and ranchers are eligible to start haying and grazing Conservation Reserve Program acres. There’s been lots of discussion on whether or not adjustments will be made to allowing them to hay ground during the primary nesting season. Ducheneaux is not optimistic. “I don’t think we’ll get there, because of the pieces that have to be put in place, given we’re in mid-July. Most likely, August 1 will be the opening date.”
