Farmers eligible for forage payments in drought conditions

The Farm Service Agency may be able to provide relief for Whitman County farmers who are experiencing financial losses related to the hot summer temperatures and subsequent drought.

The U.S. Drought Monitor determined Aug. 4 that Whitman County has reached the extreme category for drought conditions after a summer of extreme temperatures and little precipitation.

With the drought conditions, the Farm Service Agency "may pay eligible livestock producers the equivalent of three monthly Livestock Forage Program payments" which are "equal to 60 percent of the monthly feed cost and vary by type of...