TOPEKA, Kan. — Gov. Jeff Colyer signed a drought declaration for all 105 counties in Kansas. The designation activates disaster response efforts at the state level and provides authority for the deployment and use of state personnel, supplies, equipment, materials and facilities to aid in drought response. Importantly, the declaration temporarily suspends certain motor carrier rules and regulations to expedite hay movement to livestock.
In addition, Gov. Colyer sent letters to the Kansas state director of the USDA Farm Service Agency and all county directors encouraging them to quickly review the situation and consider making a request for haying and grazing on Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acres. Granting access to CRP, according to a news release from the governor, would provide critical forage resources for Kansas and reduce the wildfire fuel load.
“We are hopeful this early collaboration with our federal partners will allow for immediate relief to Kansas farmers and ranchers,” said Kansas Ag Secretary Jackie McClaskey.
The latest U.S. Drought Monitor indicated 57 Kansas counties are in severe or extreme drought. Members of the Kansas Drought Response Team use the monitor along with projections from other sources to make recommendations about necessary action addressing drought.
— Kansas Livestock Association
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