WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Agriculture has designated a natural disaster area in four South Dakota counties due to drought, making farmers and ranchers eligible to apply for emergency loans.

The counties are Brule, Gregory, Lyman and Tripp, in the south-central part of the state. A news release from the USDA said eligibility extends to the contiguous counties of Aurora, Buffalo, Charles Mix, Hughes, Hyde, Jerauld, Jones, Mellette, Stanley and Todd.

The designation allows the USDA’s Farm Service Agency to offer emergency loans for needs including the replacement of equipment or livestock, reorganization of a farming operation, or refinancing certain debts. The FSA will review the loan applications based on the extent of losses, security available and repayment ability.

The four primary counties have suffered from a growing-season drought classified as severe by the U.S. Drought Monitor for eight or more consecutive weeks, or suffered from extreme or exceptional drought.

In related news, Governor Larry Rhoden has activated the state Drought Task Force to monitor drought conditions across South Dakota.

The Drought Task Force coordinates the exchange of drought-related information among government agencies and partners to assess potential impacts on agriculture, fire management, and water-supplies. Through this collaboration, the Task Force can more effectively monitor drought conditions, assess drought severity, evaluate impacts, and review available drought-response resources

Because of the dry conditions, the public is urged to use caution with open burns and other activities that could start fires.