(ND Ag Connection) – By Scout Nelson

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated multiple counties in Montana, North Dakota, and Wyoming as primary natural disaster areas due to severe drought.

This designation allows the USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) to provide emergency loans to producers in affected areas, assisting them in recovering from drought-related losses. These loans can be used for various needs, including equipment replacement, livestock, operational reorganization, or debt refinancing, with the FSA evaluating applications based on loss extent, available security, and repayment capability.

The U.S. Drought Monitor indicated that counties eligible for this designation had experienced either “Severe Drought (D2)” conditions for at least eight weeks or more extreme levels such as “Extreme (D3)” or “Exceptional (D4)” drought. This has significantly impacted local agricultural productivity.

Impacted Areas and Deadlines:

North Dakota (First Impacted Area)

Primary Counties: Adams, Divide, Slope, Williams

Contiguous Counties: Montana (Fallon, Richland, Roosevelt, Sheridan), North Dakota (Billings, Bowman, Burke, Golden Valley, Grant, Hettinger, McKenzie, Mountrail, Sioux, Stark), South Dakota (Corson, Harding, Perkins)

Application Deadline: June 9, 2025

North Dakota (Second Impacted Area)

Primary Counties: Billings, Golden Valley, McKenzie

Contiguous Counties: Montana (Fallon, Richland, Roosevelt, Wibaux), North Dakota (Dunn, Mountrail, Slope, Stark, Williams)

Application Deadline: June 16, 2025

Farmers and ranchers affected by this prolonged drought are encouraged to apply for these emergency loans to aid in recovery and ensure the sustainability of their operations. This USDA support highlights the significance of addressing drought impacts on agriculture and provides a financial safety net for producers during challenging times.