The U.S. Department of Agriculture has designated four south-central South Dakota counties as natural disaster areas due to ongoing drought conditions, making affected producers eligible for federal assistance.
The designation, announced Thursday, applies to Brule, Gregory, Lyman, and Tripp counties, where officials say farmers and ranchers have experienced prolonged and severe drought.
According to the USDA, the declaration also extends eligibility for assistance to producers in nearby counties, including Aurora, Buffalo, Charles Mix, Hughes, Hyde, Jerauld, Jones, Mellette, Stanley, and Todd.
The designation allows the USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) to offer emergency loans to agricultural producers. Funds can be used to help replace livestock or equipment, reorganize farming operations, or refinance certain debts.
Loan applications will be reviewed based on factors such as the extent of production losses, available collateral, and repayment ability, officials said.
The USDA noted the affected counties have experienced severe drought conditions for at least eight consecutive weeks during the growing season, or have reached classifications of extreme or exceptional drought under the U.S. Drought Monitor.
State and federal officials are encouraging impacted producers to contact their local FSA offices for assistance and information on available relief programs.
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