WASHINGTON, DC – Senator Pat Roberts is launching efforts to ensure Kansas farmers and ranchers have access to all available assistance due to severe drought across the nation and much of the state.
He's helping in his role as the top Republican on the Senate Agriculture Committee.
“Lack of rainfall and high temperatures has had a devastating impact on the corn and soybean crops in Kansas,” Roberts said. “Ranchers in Kansas are also facing severe hardship due to a lack of available feed caused by the drought. Nearly every county is affected by these severe conditions.”
The USDA has allowed emergency haying and grazing of CRP lands to 91 out of 105 Kansas counties.
Senator Roberts has created a page on his website dedicated entirely to drought resources. It can be found here or at Roberts.senate.gov. It includes links to federal and state resources for those suffering from drought conditions.
Sen. Roberts also recorded an audio and video public service announcement (PSA) directing Kansans to call their Farm Service Agency (FSA) office for immediate assistance. The PSA can be found here.
“I urge farmers and ranchers to contact their FSA office and their crop insurance provider for immediate assistance. I have been in frequent communication with USDA officials and Kansas Governor Sam Brownback and rest assured, we are all working together to provide you much needed assistance.”
Sen. Roberts has fought to improve the safety net for America’s farmers and ranchers. He’s an outspoken advocate for crop insurance and has worked to strengthen the program in the Senate passed Farm Bill. Roberts also supported provisions for livestock producers included in the Senate passed Farm Bill to help in natural disasters like the current drought.
