(June 22, 2006)—Gov. Rick Perry has asked the U.S. Department of Agriculture for drought relief for 24 counties, including McLennan, Bosque and Hamilton Counties in Central Texas.

A statement issued Thursday by Perry's office says the USDA already has approved Perry's request for help for the three counties, along with 11 others.

Requests are still awaiting USDA approval for ten other counties, Dimmit, Duval, Kenedy, Kleberg, La Salle, Live Oak, Mason, McMullen, Nolan and Pecos.

Farmers and ranchers in those areas have been suffering through a severe drought since the first of the year. Texas, as a whole, has endured very dry conditions since April of last year.

Perry's statement says that's caused nearly $1.5 billion in losses to state agriculture.

“Having grown up in farming and ranching community, I know firsthand how devastating Mother Nature can be to our agriculture industry,” Perry said.

“We want to help get farmers and ranchers the federal assistance they deserve as quickly as possible.”

Qualified farmers and ranchers in counties approved for assistance would be eligible for low-interest emergency loans from the USDA Farm Service Agency.

Producers could borrow up to 100 percent of actual production for physical losses up to
$500,000.

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