By Scout Nelson
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) designates five Montana counties as natural disaster areas because of drought conditions during the growing season. The designation allows eligible farmers and ranchers to receive emergency financial support through the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA).
The primary counties included in the disaster designation are Custer, Fallon, Garfield, Rosebud, and Treasure. Producers in these counties may apply for FSA emergency loans to help recover from losses caused by drought.
The USDA uses drought conditions identified by the U.S. Drought Monitor to determine eligibility for the disaster designation. The affected counties experience drought at levels that meet federal requirements. These conditions include D2 severe drought for eight or more consecutive weeks during the growing season, or D3 extreme drought or D4 exceptional drought.
The designation is known as a Secretarial natural disaster designation. It provides producers with access to emergency credit when natural disasters cause major financial losses. The support is designed to help farming and ranching operations recover and continue their work.
Emergency loans can be used for several recovery needs. Farmers may use the funds to replace essential items such as farm equipment or livestock. Loans may also help producers reorganize their farming operations or refinance certain debts when the requirements are met.
FSA reviews each emergency loan application based on several factors. These include the level of the producer’s losses, available security, and the ability to repay the loan. Producers must meet applicable FSA requirements to qualify for assistance.
The disaster designation also covers several counties that are next to the five primary counties. In Montana, eligible contiguous counties include Big Horn, Carter, McCone, Musselshell, Petroleum, Phillips, Powder River, Prairie, Valley, Wibaux, and Yellowstone.
The designation also extends to three counties in North Dakota: Bowman, Golden Valley, and Slope. Harding County in South Dakota is also included as an eligible contiguous county.
The triggering disaster is identified as drought under a fast-track process. This designation gives producers an opportunity to seek financial help as they manage the effects of dry conditions on their operations.
The application deadline for eligible producers is April 26, 2027. Farmers and ranchers who experienced qualifying drought-related losses should review FSA emergency loan requirements and contact their local FSA office for additional information.
Photo Credit: usda
Categories: South Dakota, Government & Policy, Weather