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(NewsDakota.com) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture has declared an agricultural disaster for 16 counties in North Dakota due to the ongoing drought.

The declaration makes farmers in the 16 counties eligible for federal assistance due to the drought affecting crops. LaMoure County Extension Agent Al Ulmer says the declaration is a good “safety net” for area farmers.

Ulmer says usually the amount of federal assistance is based off prior crop production from a farmer’s land.

Counties included in the declaration are Barnes, Stutsman, LaMoure, Benson, Cass, Eddy, Foster, Grand Forks, Griggs, Nelson, Ramsey, Ransom, Richland, Steele, Trail and Walsh. All those counties currently have areas listed in “severe” drought according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.

In LaMoure County, Ulmer says yields will vary greatly this harvest season.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the agricultural disaster Wednesday. Damage assessments will be completed this fall.