WASHINGTON, July 23, 2012 - TODAY, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will travel to Iowa to meet with producers, industry and business leaders. The Secretary will discuss the ongoing drought, USDA's efforts to assist producers, and the innovation and resilience of rural Americans in tough times such as these. He will also discuss some of the strengths shared by producers and rural communities that better position us to face this drought now than in years past - new technologies, lower debt, and the continuing strength of export markets.
As of July 20, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has designated 1,055 counties across the country as disaster areas due to drought. According to the most recent U.S. Drought Monitor report, 88 percent of our nation's corn and 87 percent of our soybeans are in drought-stricken areas.
USDA recently announced a final rule to simplify the process for Secretarial disaster designations -allowing a quicker response to drought. USDA also reduced the interest rate for Farm Service Agency Emergency Loans, lowering the current rate from 3.75 percent to 2.25 percent, and lowered the payment reduction for Conservation Reserve Program lands that qualify for emergency haying and grazing in 2012, from 25 to 10 percent.
Monday, July 23, 2012
10 a.m. CDT
WHAT: Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will give remarks on the Resilience of American Agriculture?Innovation, Diversity and Growing Markets
WHERE: Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance
501 First Street SE
Cedar Rapids, IA
11:30 a.m. CDT
WHAT: Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will tour drought damage at Eric Cress' farm.
WHERE: 4681 Heines Rd
Center Point, IA
4:15 p.m. CDT
WHAT: Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will give remarks on the Resilience of American Agriculture?Innovation, Diversity and Growing Markets
WHERE: Soy Energy
4172 19th Street Southwest
Mason City, IA
