Emergency drought funds to aid livestock transportation

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced its plan to help cover the cost of transporting feed for livestock that rely on grazing.

The Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honey Bees, and Farm-raised Fish Program (ELAP) is to cover feed transportation costs for drought-impacted ranchers.

ELAP already covers the cost of hauling water during drought, and the change expands the program to cover feed transportation costs where grazing and hay resources have been depleted.

This includes places where:

• Drought intensity is D2 for eight consecutive weeks

• Drought intensi...