President Obama has directed Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack to make implementation of the 2014 farm bill livestock disaster assistance program a priority. The President wants the program, which provides up to $ 100 million dollars, available for sign up by April 15.  South Dakota Cattlemen’s President Cory Eich says that’s good news for West River producers who have been waiting for federal assistance for some time.

Eich says it’s been a difficult waiting period for those producers hit by last October’s blizzard and says this should give them hope as they rebuild.

Eich says while it’s good the sign up is scheduled to take place in mid April, producers still have a lot of to deal with as grazing season fast approaches.

The announcement comes as the President and Ag Secretary are in California touring that drought impacted state.