Arkansas Farm Bureau applauded Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe’s release of $2 million for an emergency livestock program, saying the state-wide drought has pushed livestock producers into a crisis situation.

“Any support for our livestock producers is meaningful,” said Randy Veach, president of Arkansas Farm Bureau. “This is a year on par with no other, with more than 50 percent of our state in exceptional drought conditions. This will provide some immediate relief for those who have been struggling, and they need some help right now.

“For the second consecutive year, forage production in our state has been severely limited because of drought. That has put our livestock producers in a position of having to reduce the size oftheir herds, or pay extremely high prices for feedstuffs.”

Beebe’s office announced Wednesday (August 15) the release of $2 million from the Governor’s emergency fund, aimed at livestock producers. The program will be administered by the Arkansas Agriculture Department. Livestock producers have two weeks to sign up for the program, and can pick up the application at their county Farm Bureau office, plus other outlets.