The U-S Department of Agriculture has declared five counties in North Dakota as disaster areas, allowing for farmers and ranchers to be eligible for disaster payments in the form of loans.  Emergency loans can be used to meet various recovery needs including the replacement of essential items such as equipment or livestock, reorganization of a farming operation or the refinance of certain debts.  Farm Service Agency will review the loans based on the extent of losses, security available and repayment ability.  According to the U-S Drought Monitor, the five counties in North Dakota suffered from a drought intensity value during the growing season of severe drought for eight or more consecutive weeks.  The five counties include: Billings, Divide, Golden Valley, McKenzie, and Williams.  Producers have until December 19^th to submit an emergency loan application.