SD Dept. of Ag and SD FSA Distribute Hay To Drought-Impacted Producers

For Immediate Release: Dec. 4, 2012

Media Contact: Jamie Crew, 605-773-4073

SD Dept. of Ag and SD FSA Distribute Hay To Drought-Impacted Producers

PIERRE, S.D. - The South Dakota Department of Agriculture and South Dakota Farm Service Agency have distributed about 200 tons of donated Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) hay to state livestock producers whose pastures were adversely affected by this year’s wildfires.

“We thank all those who were involved and hope to use this system again in the future,” said state  Secretary of Agriculture Walt Bones.

The Farm Service Agency, producers across the state and South Dakota Department of Agriculture (SDDA) staff helped distribute the donated hay to drought-impacted farmers and ranchers who applied by the September deadline or had contacted SDDA.

The hay was to be destroyed per USDA-FSA CRP contracts but was donated to SDDA for distribution to producers impacted by this year’s drought.  Producers who participate in the CRP program are usually asked to destroy hay that is baled because they are compensated monetarily for managing those acres.

“With this summer’s extreme drought conditions, hay is scarce,” Bones said. “Donation of this CRP hay will hopefully lighten the burden on a few of the livestock producers here in South Dakota.”

Agriculture is South Dakota’s No. 1 industry, generating nearly $21 billion in annual economic activity and employing more than 80,000 South Dakotans.  The South Dakota Department of Agriculture’s mission is to promote, protect, preserve and improve this industry for today and tomorrow.  Visit us online at http://sdda.sd.gov/ or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

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