USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Alabama has announced the agency is providing funding to assist landowners impacted by last year’s extreme drought. Eligible landowners have until July 28, 2017, to apply.
from USDA/NRCS Alabama
Eligible Landowners with Grazing Lands Encouraged to Apply
USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) State Conservationist for Alabama, Ben Malone, announced that the agency is providing funding to assist landowners impacted by last year’s extreme drought. Agricultural producers statewide suffered losses from months with low rainfall. Eligible landowners are encouraged to apply by July 28, 2017. Alabama landowners living in counties identified as high priority will be assigned the highest priority for financial assistance because they were impacted the most by the drought.
Funding will be provided through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and will address fencing, water troughs, pasture, hay land re-establishment, wells, and prescribed grazing. In addition to others, these practices will not only help landowners recover losses from the drought, they will serve as a proactive step to help landowners in the event of future drought situations. Measures such as planting drought-affected, cool-season grasses such as fescue and installing water tanks and fencing will make lands more sustainable.
“Landowners across the state have weathered the drought for months and these funds will assist them in replenishing losses and doing what they can to help their grazing lands recover,” said Malone.
During the worst of the drought, USDA reported more than $30 million in disaster funds were distributed nationally for livestock feed programs and non-insured disaster support. In addition, because livestock feed was in short supply, cattle sales were 19 percent ahead of 2015. This impacted the value of livestock that was sold.
Alabama landowners who are interested in applying for drought funding should contact their local USDA service center to learn more.
Share this Post