WASHINGTON, D.C. – After her months-long push on U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) leaders to do everything they can to support North Dakota ranchers in drought-stricken areas – the agency today announced that it would expand insurers’ ability to provide flexibility to farmers and ranchers who have been forced to sell their livestock earlier than expected due to the drought.

Just last week, Heitkamp sat down with just over one hundred North Dakota ranchers, local leaders and experts in Bowman about the solutions they need to address challenges they face as a result of the drought, and discuss what they need to plan for the future. At that meeting, Heitkamp reiterated her commitment to pressing USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue to offer North Dakota farmers and ranchers hit hard by the drought all of the tools at the agency’s disposal to get them the assistance they need. By allowing insurance providers to waive the 30-day ownership requirement for Livestock Risk Protection (LRP) Specific Coverage Endorsements (SCE) as long as ranchers provide proof of ownership, the USDA continues to heed Heitkamp’s call to respond directly to the struggles of North Dakota farmers and ranchers who have had a hard time finding adequate resources of feed or forage and have been forced to sell off livestock earlier than they would have – experiencing severe financial losses as a result.

“Farmers and ranchers across our state have been through the ringer when it comes to the drought – struggling to find feed or forage, many have been forced to take the financial hit of selling their livestock much sooner than they otherwise would have,” said Heitkamp. “These are the real challenges ranchers in western North Dakota told me about when I visited with them in Bowman last week, and it’s because of them that I’ve been banging on Secretary Perdue’s door to make sure every tool in the USDA toolbox is available to help them get through, and it’s great news that he has been so responsive. By allowing insurers to give ranchers who have experienced financial losses due to early livestock losses to waive the Livestock Risk Protection requirement for 30-days, we can help ranchers get some of the relief they need in these tough times.”

Today’s announcement comes just days after USDA leaders opened up CRP lands for haying within 150 miles of severe drought areas. That news came after Heitkamp’s months-long push with the federal delegation when they successfully pressed USDA leaders to take bold action to help drought-impacted farmers and ranchers in North Dakota by designating agricultural disasters in counties in the state that have been severely impacted by drought. That designation opened up Farm Service Agency (FSA) disaster relief programs that Heitkamp pushed for in the Farm Bill, including emergency loans, to North Dakota farmers and ranchers. Producers in eligible counties have eight months to apply for emergency loans.

During Heitkamp’s meeting with ranchers in Bowman last week, she unveiled her push on Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Commissioner John Koskinen to announce the notice that would allow ranchers to defer paying capital gains tax for a two year period on the sale of cattle due to the ongoing severe drought which has stretched for months across nearly 50 percent of the state. Throughout North Dakota, the drought has caused ranchers to pay top dollar for hay trucked in from neighboring states. With little rain on the horizon, ranchers have been forced to sell their livestock much earlier and at lower prices than usual. Click here to read Heitkamp’s letter to IRS Commissioner Koskinen.

Last month, Heitkamp launched a webpage aimed to provide useful information that can help connect North Dakota farmers, ranchers and community members with the federal, state, and local resources – from haying and grazing options to tax information to mental health services – to help them cope and weather this drought. Click here to view Senator Heitkamp’s webpage.

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