{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=355246", "Idaho Delegation Urges Prompt Consideration of Agriculture Disaster \r\nDeclarations", "2014-08-28", "2014", "2014-08", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Michael Crapo", "C000880", "www.crapo.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "August 29, 2014\n\t\t\t Idaho Delegation Urges Prompt Consideration of Agriculture Disaster Declarations \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t August storms damage crops in multiple Idaho regions \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tTwin Falls, Idaho - Heavy and poorly timed August rain storms in the Magic Valley and eastern Idaho have caused significant damage to crops in the region, primarily wheat, barley and hay.\u00a0 For example, the Twin Falls County Emergency Board notes that more than fifty percent of the value of the grain crop has likely been lost due to the rain and economic\u00a0losses are estimated to exceed $11 million for that county alone.\u00a0 In northern Idaho, a severe hail storm damaged significant acreage of grain on the Weippe Prairie.\u00a0\u00a0\r\nIdaho Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch and Idaho Congressmen Mike Simpson and Ra\u00fal Labrador\u00a0\u00a0are again emphasizing their support for Idaho farmers by encouraging the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to promptly review pending disaster declarations requested by Idaho counties.\u00a0 In a letter to the Secretary of Agriculture Thomas Vilsack, the delegation emphasized the extent of weather-related crop damage and encouraged the agency to promptly review and approve disaster requests.\u00a0 To date, Twin Falls, Jerome, and Clearwater counties have requested disaster declarations, and others may be submitting additional requests in the near future.\u00a0 If approved, such declarations would make eligible producers within those and neighboring counties qualified for emergency low interest loans from the USDA.\r\nThe complete text of the letter can be found below.\r\n\u00a0\r\n\u00a0\r\nDear Secretary Vilsack:\r\n\u00a0\r\nSevere and uncharacteristic weather has occurred in various locations in Idaho during the month of August.\u00a0 The result of these storms is adding up to significant losses for farmers.\u00a0 In multiple locations, excessive rainfall late in the summer amounted to several inches more than what is normal for the region.\u00a0 These severe rain events could not have come at a worse time as mature wheat and barley crops were nearing harvest.\u00a0 Other crops, such as hay, peas and beans, have been adversely impacted as well.\u00a0 In response to these weather events, local Farm Service Agency officials have been working with affected producers to document damage and losses and, in some cases, have requested secretarial disaster declarations for the most affected areas to provide additional opportunities for relief.\r\n\u00a0\r\nAgriculture is a central pillar of Idaho's economy and the late summer rains have been very problematic for producers.\u00a0 For example, the Twin Falls County Emergency Board notes that more than fifty percent of the value of the county's grain crop has likely been lost due to the rain.\u00a0 Additionally, ninety-five percent of the barley in this area is grown for malting purposes.\u00a0 However, the excessive August rainfall has caused sprout damage that is making much of the barley crop only suitable for lower priced animal feed.\u00a0 The Twin Falls County Farm Service Agency states that early economic loss estimates total $12.8 million for that county alone.\u00a0 Similar situations are occurring for farmers elsewhere in Idaho.\u00a0\u00a0\r\n\u00a0\r\nIt is clear that these weather events have had a destructive impact on many important agriculture regions in Idaho, making the farm safety net all the more important at this time.\u00a0 Twin Falls, Jerome and Clearwater counties have already submitted requests for disaster declarations due to adverse weather.\u00a0 It is our understanding more counties in Idaho may be requesting disaster declarations in the near future and it is our hope that you will promptly review and grant these declarations so our farmers and rural communities may begin to recover as soon as possible.\u00a0 As affected counties continue the effort to assess, document and report damage, we appreciate the ongoing assistance and resources provided by your agency.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\r\n\u00a0\r\nShould you have any questions regarding this or any other matter, please do not hesitate to contact us.\r\n\u00a0\r\nThank you for your consideration.\r\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t 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