South Dakota’s Congressional delegation is urging Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue to provide timely assistance for producers suffering from drought. They want applications expedited for the Livestock Forage Program and early haying and grazing allowed on CRP acres. South Dakota Stockgrowers Association President Bill Kluck says the most critical need is for hay.

He says areas of South Dakota have experienced drought for two years now, with conditions intensifying this year.

Kluck says the Ag Secretary understands the problems being faced by South Dakota’s ranchers and saw it first hand during his recent visit to the area.

Kluck says he’s glad Senators Thune and Rounds and Congresswoman Noem have asked for emergency haying and grazing to begin no later than July 15 because of the urgency.