Texas Farmers, Ranchers Still Waiting For Drought Relief Checks
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Texas Farmers, Ranchers Still Waiting For Drought Relief Checks
Thousands of Texas farmers and ranchers are still waiting for federal drought relief checks.
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AUSTIN (November 9, 2009)--Thousands of Texas farmers and ranchers who’ve been seeking federal drought relief since September are still waiting for their checks.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced on Sept. 14 that applications would be accepted for funds under the Livestock Forage Disaster Program, to cover 2008 and 2009 losses.

The Austin American-Statesman reports that of the more than 4,600 Texas drought applications for LFP assistance the Farm Service Agency has received, only about 500 checks have been sent.

FSA authorities blamed the delay on a system overhaul required by the 2008 Farm Bill, which called for a permanent disaster relief program.

Previously, each disaster plan had to be enacted with an individual federal mandate.

Texas AgriLife Extension economists say the drought, since 2007, likely has pushed ag losses to more than $4.1 billion, in spite of recent heavy rains.