Fifty percent of the State of Minnesota experienced extreme drought this summer with 80 percent under severe drought during July and August. Another 10 percent was under extraordinary drought., and those dry conditions are continuing to hammer the Northern part of the state. Because of that, Governor Tim Walz and the Minnesota Department of Agriculture has put together a relief plan. State Ag Commissioner Thom Petersen says they have that ready to go for lawmakers to consider whenever they’re called back into special session.

He says feed is not only short but it’s expensive and his department has set up a website to help producers try and find feed and forages for their animals.

Petersen says many producers were hit by the need for water and dealing with the costs of sometimes having to haul it out to pastures.

Petersen says state lawmakers want to come back into special session to provide the needed drought relief.

Petersen says part of the holdup for the special session is that legislators appear to be arguing over other non ag issues., although its up to the Governor to call them back.