Press Release - Federal Drought Relief
OFFICE OF GOV. BILL RITTER, JR.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FRIDAY, JULY 11, 2008
CONTACTS:
Evan Dreyer, 720.350.8370
Christi Lightcap, Colo. Department of Agriculture, 719.924.0154
FEDERAL DROUGHT RELIEF OK'D FOR COLORADO FARMERS AND RANCHERS
Gov. Bill Ritter today received notice that his June 24 request for emergency drought assistance in parts of southeastern Colorado has been approved.
The request to the federal Farm Service Agency asked that farmers and ranchers be granted immediate access to Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acres in southeast Colorado for emergency haying and grazing. Despite the above-average snowfall in the Colorado mountains this past winter, some parts of southeast Colorado have seen only 19 percent of normal precipitation and livestock is at risk of becoming stressed.
At this time, six Colorado counties have been approved for CRP grazing:
- Effective July 11, 2008: Baca, Bent, Kiowa and Prowers;
- Effective July 7, 2008: Phillips and Yuma.
"I'm pleased the federal Farm Service Agency has approved this request," Gov. Ritter said. "It's crucial that we do everything we can to help Colorado's farmers and ranchers get through this challenging time."