FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 15, 2006, 11:00 a.m. CT

(Lincoln, NE) Gov. Dave Heineman today expanded his drought disaster request following the receipt of new damage assessment reports compiled by the Farm Service Agency (FSA). An additional 28 Nebraska counties now qualify for consideration of a disaster declaration due to the ongoing drought.

The Governor is seeking federal agricultural disaster designation from U.S. Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns for the following counties: Arthur, Banner, Blaine, Box Butte, Cheyenne, Cherry, Custer, Dawes, Dawson, Deuel, Franklin, Garden, Grant, Gosper, Harlan, Holt, Hooker, Keith, Kimball, Lincoln, Logan, McPherson, Morrill, Phelps, Scotts Bluff, Sheridan, Sioux, and Thomas.

The latest request brings the total number of Nebraska counties eligible for a disaster designation to 36. A request for Chase, Dundy, Frontier, Furnas, Hayes, Hitchcock, Perkins, and Red Willow counties is currently pending.

“Common sense dictates that we do all we can for our farmers and ranchers in this difficult time,” Gov. Heineman said. “This drought continues to damage crops and negatively impact livestock across our state. Federal assistance provides producers with flexibility and additional options as they try to cope with these ongoing challenges.”

Damage reports from FSA indicate that the 36 counties in the Governor’s combined disaster requests have suffered at least a 30 percent loss in one or more crop or livestock areas. Requests for additional counties are likely as more data becomes available.

A natural disaster designation provides affected producers with access to low-interest loans and other programs used to mitigate the impact of drought on agricultural operations.