USDA Farm Service Agency State Executive Director Val Dolcini announced that special provisions will be made to the FSA emergency loan program in order to provide greater flexibility for livestock producers facing forage and feed shortages as a result of drought.
 
On August 22, 2012, Secretary Vilsack announced that modifications will be made to the emergency loan program allowing loan eligibilityto be determined earlier in the season. Producers will no longer have to wait until the end of the production cycle to obtain a loan. This change will support producers who currently need assistance to help offset high production costs.
 
Earlier this year, changes to FSA’s disaster assistance programs provided further help for those affected by drought.  Changes included streamlining the disaster designation process, lowering the emergency loan interest rate, authorizing emergency haying and grazing on CRP lands and successfully encouraging crop insurers to allow a short grace period on unpaid premiums.  In addition, USDA provided an additional $30 million nationwide for emergency water supply improvements and for repair of drought-damaged lands.
 
"Additional flexibility on current program requirements will make much needed assistance more readily available to producers affected by disaster," said Dolcini. "These changes in particular should benefit livestock producers who are facing higher feed costs or are at risk of liquidating their herd due to the drought," he said.
 
For more information regarding special provisions to the emergency loan program, please contact the your nearest FSA office or visit www.fsa.usda.gov <http://www.fsa.usda.gov> .