The North Dakota Farmers Union is asking for improvements to the Market Facilitation Program. This follows USDA Undersecretary Bill Northey visiting North Dakota on Friday to talk about disaster and trade aid and Ag Secretary Perdue issuing a disaster declaration for 47 of the state’s 57 counties. Farmers Union President Mark Watne says the MFP payments need to go out quicker.

He also says the MFP program doesn’t provide any aid to cattle producers and instead they must rely on the limited assistance available through other government programs, which is inadequate.

Watne encourages North Dakota’s producers in disaster areas to stay in contact with their crop insurance agents and check with FSA on any program help that’s available.

Only 10-percent of the corn had been harvested in North Dakota as of November 3, while the soybean harvest is half done. About 25-percent of sunflowers have been combined, but between 30 to 40-percent of the sugar beets and potatoes are still out in the field.