Groundwork laid for federal drought assistance
Hopkins Co. producers, agencies testify to conditions

By KARI KRAMER | East Texas Edition

Hopkins County FSA loan manager Ellis Dicus (right) shares information about the assistance programs offered through his agency with Hopkins County Judge Cletis Millsap (head of table) and other state and local officials. --- Staff photo by Kramer

August 25, 2005 - Hopkins County is one of the many East Texas counties that has seen low rainfall numbers this summer.

In reaction, Hopkins County Judge Cletis Millsap has requested a disaster declaration from Gov. Rick Perry.

“We haven’t had any substantial rain in the county in months,” Millsap said at a meeting Aug. 24.

Producers in the area have reported inadequate hay cuttings and availability. Food sources have been hard to find, as surrounding areas are suffering from the same dry conditions.

“I know the cattle are stressed out because there hasn’t been adequate rainfall,” said Millsap. “I think we not only need assistance on hay, but on grain too.”

Several producers and staff members from area organizations voiced their concerns and recommendations.

Sherri Weins, county executive director for the Farm Service Agency, told Millsap her agency began hearing complaints about the drought situation in April, and has since acknowledged the problem at a state level.

“It has been noted to the state office,” she said. “There is an emergency situation.”

If the declaration is made by the governor, Weins will be one of many to put available programs to use. A primary disaster designation would activate the Crop Disaster Program, the Emergency Loan Program, and Livestock Assistance Program.

“This is our groundwork to make sure sure we can get help later,” explained Weins.

She added that some programs, including the Livestock Assistance Program, require an area to be in a drought for three consecutive months. Hopkins County has been in a drought for five months.

Once implemented, the Crop Disaster Program will reimburse qualifying producers for their weather-related commodity losses. The Livestock Assistance Program will provide direct payments livestock producers who suffered grazing losses. The Emergency Loan Program helps those who qualify recover from losses they incurred as a result of poor weather conditions.

Jim Wyrick, project manager for the Hopkins-Rains and Wood County Soil and Water Conservation District, noted the difficulty producers will have feeding this winter.

“My major concern is (producers are now) feeding hay heavy,” he said. With the number of hay balings down, he said there would be even less hay to feed this winter, which would create serious problems.

Producers at the meeting reported selling their herds, selling stock early, and having a difficult time finding feed sources at a reasonable price.

Weins said the producers in attendance represented the feelings of many throughout the county and region.

I’ve had a lot of people stop and ask if there’s going to be a drought program,” she said. “They’re stressed out.

“They don’t know how they’re going to make ends meet this year.”

Millsap said he hoped to have a response to his request soon.

“I feel like this is an emergency situation for our farmers and ranchers,” he said. If a declaration is made, disaster programs are expected to be implemented as soon as possible.