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Wednesday, June 16, 2021

Roundup: Farmers, ranchers struggle amid heat, drought

Heat and drought are having a serious impact on much of the U.S. Here's a news roundup:

A brutal heat wave is descending on the American West, prompting wildfire warnings. Read more here and here.

Two new reports draw attention to scanty laws protecting farmworkers from extreme heat. Read more here.

Northern Plains states, especially the eastern half of the Dakotas, are seeing a deepening drought. That's hurting ranchers whose cattle are now having a hard time finding forage. It's also hurting the hay crop, which in turn makes it harder to feed cattle. That's resulted in an increase in cows and calves sold at auction. Read more here.

It's not all bad news for livestock producers, though: they've been left out of previous pandemic aid, but they'll get a share of newly announced Agriculture Department aid, possibly starting within the next 60 days. Biofuels producers, the timber industry, dairy farmers, contract poultry producers, organic farmers, and other areas underserved by previous pandemic aid will also get some of the aid. Read more here.

Corn and soybean conditions are worsening with the hot, dry weather. Read more here.

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