Prior to the announcement, producers in 184 of the 254 counties in Texas were eligible for the emergency loans. Now, producers across all of Texas, in addition to contiguous counties in adjacent states, are eligible. This is on top of drought losses suffered in four of the last five years. Texas Farm Bureau President Donald Patman told the Dallas Morning News he was happy with Glickman's decision. It's not a cure-all, but it will help some people.
Farmers have eight months to apply for loans to help cover part of their actual losses.
FSA considers each loan application on its own merits, taking into account the extent of losses, security available, repayment ability and other eligibility requirements. The designation may also allow ranchers statewide to apply for the federal livestock assistance program, which offers cost-sharing to cover feed expenses. Sign-up for that program begins Jan. 16. Contact your local FSA office for more information and eligibility on these loan programs. She knows policy and the way things get done in Washington.