Delegation Pushes for Emergency Aid for North Dakota Ranchers

Press Release

DELEGATION PUSHES FOR EMERGENCY AID FOR NORTH DAKOTA RANCHERS

"Catastrophic Floods Have Overwhelmed ND's Family Ranchers," Delegation says

Senators Byron Dorgan and Kent Conrad and Congressman Earl Pomeroy today called for emergency federal aid for North Dakota's livestock producers. In a letter to U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack the Congressional delegation outlined the destruction caused by this year's spring floods and pressed for the quick implementation of federal programs to help rebuild North Dakota's battered livestock industry.

"Catastrophic floods in North Dakota have overwhelmed family ranchers. They have washed out roads, eliminated feed sources and killed thousands of cattle," the delegation said. "We must work together to do everything possible to help our ranchers recover from their livestock losses."

Estimates by the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Farm Service Agency in North Dakota show close to 95,000 livestock have been lost. Of the 90,000 cattle lost, almost 72,000 are calves. While the USDA provided immediate aid in the form of feed assistance and allowed emergency use of CRP land for calving, the delegation says much more must be done. They are calling on USDA to implement additional measures to help North Dakota's ranchers rebuild livestock structures and fence lines, and clean up debris; to compensate producers for emergency feed costs; and to assist producers in western North Dakota still reeling from grazing losses they suffered last year.

Additionally, the delegation noted that more than 80 percent of the cattle deaths in North Dakota this spring were calves. For many ranchers, this is a crippling blow to future income potential. The delegation asked USDA to take into account the true market value of deceased calves as they determine aid payment rates.

"As the floodwaters recede, and we have a better assessment of the damage left behind, it is clear that USDA will play an important role in addressing the aftereffects of the floods. We look forward to working with USDA to utilize the tools available to help rebuild North Dakota's ranching community," the delegation said.

Over the last several weeks, the delegation has held meetings in Washington and in North Dakota to help coordinate the federal, state and local response to rising flood waters. Earlier this month, the delegation returned home to North Dakota with Jim Miller, USDA's Under Secretary of Agriculture for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services, to inspect the floods impact on North Dakota's farmers and ranchers.

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