Friday, the Potter County South Dakota Farm Service Agency processed its first application for livestock forage program assistance due to the drought. County FSA Executive Director Kay Schmidt says drought conditions kicked in in February and stretched through the grazing season injuring the hay crop and leaving little forage available.

Because Potter and five other South Dakota counties are under D1 and D2 conditions, the LFP has kicked in. Schmidt says eligible producers need to apply at their local county FSA office and if found eligible can receive three months payment.

She says initially the LFP is a three month payment but that can extend to five months if the drought persists. Schmidt says those who were eligible for the three month payment can then re apply. She says besides the hay loss the wheat crop was severely impacted in Potter county.

Schmidt encourages those producers who may be eligible for assistance to call their office for an appointment and make application.