Federal dollars are available now for local livestock producers needing water pumped or stored because of drought conditions.

Monday, August 23, 1999

Federal dollars are available now for local livestock producers needing water pumped or stored because of drought conditions.

The Gallia-Lawrence Farm Service Agency announced that farms suffering drought damage might be eligible for assistance under the Emergency Conservation Program.

The FSA has received the federal funds and will administer the program.

Livestock farmers are eligible if the drought damage will be so costly to rehabilitate that federal assistance is or will be needed to return the land to productive agricultural use; is unusual and is not the type that would occur frequently in the same area; affects the productive capacity of the farm land; and will impair or endanger the land.

A producer qualifying for the program may receive up to 64 percent of the costs it takes to correct drought problems.

The following activities might be eligible for such cost-share measures:

– Installing pipe to another source of water because the primary source is inadequate.

– Storage facilities, including tanks and troughs above ground, if needed to supply water for immediate needs of livestock. (Not tanks primarily for storage.)

– Developing springs or seeps for livestock.

Livestock producers who might have suffered a loss from this natural disaster are encouraged to contact the FSA, officials said. Applications will be accepted until Sept. 20.

For more information, call the FSA office at 1-800-391-6638.