South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden is urging livestock producers affected by recent extreme heat to contact the Farm Service Agency and document any losses.
Rhoden says ranchers across the state are experiencing significant impacts from the hot, dry conditions, and reporting those losses is an important step in determining potential assistance. He says he has also been in contact with leadership at the U.S. Department of Agriculture to ensure federal officials are aware of the situation.
According to the USDA, pasture and range conditions continue to decline across South Dakota. Nearly half of surveyed areas are now rated poor to very poor, while only 18 percent are rated good to excellent.
State officials encourage producers experiencing losses to contact their local Farm Service Agency office as soon as possible.
