Governor:  USDA livestock grant does little to counter drought losses

Governor Kathleen Sebelius said today that the $948,511 awarded to Kansas under USDA’s livestock assistance grant program came up woefully short in addressing drought-related losses sustained by Kansas ranchers.

“Livestock owners who qualified for the grant program report losses in excess of $20.6 million,” Sebelius said.  “While I’m sure they appreciate the help, the actual assistance fell terribly short of what is needed to counter the devastating effects of drought in Kansas.”

In August, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns announced that $50 million was earmarked for a livestock assistance grant program to help livestock producers nationwide who had suffered forage production losses, or who had paid increased feed costs, costs associated with relocating livestock, or costs for emergency water supplies due to ongoing drought.

The grant program was administered by the Kansas Department of Agriculture, and checks were mailed to qualifying livestock owners this week. 

“We received grant applications from 1,916 producers in 24 counties who reported losses involving 233,465 animal units,” said Kansas Secretary of Agriculture Adrian Polansky.  “It’s easy to see why drought-related losses far exceeded our grant amount.”

Sebelius and Polansky sent a letter today to House Speaker-elect Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid asking them to support disaster aid for farmers and ranchers who experienced production losses in 2005 and 2006 due natural disasters. 

“The economic toll drought has taken in Kansas far exceeds what was reported under this grant program. Congress needs to take action to provide relief for farmers and ranchers in Kansas and other drought-plagued states.” Sebelius said.

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