News Releases for August 2004
August 30, 2004
Contact: Rick Robinson, Division of Emergency Management, (701) 328-8100
Hoeven Takes Further Steps To Address Frost, Other Weather-Related Crop Damages
BISMARCK, N.D. - Gov. John Hoeven today asked North Dakota State University (NDSU) to take the lead on assessing the economic impacts on agriculture losses, particularly to evaluate damages incurred from frost during the week of August 16.
The request was made to Pat Jensen, vice president and dean of the College of Agriculture. In addition, Lt. Gov. Jack Dalrymple met earlier today on the campus to discuss strategies to assess the damage with officials of NDSU, USDA Farm Service Agency and the North Dakota Department of Agriculture.
At the same time, Hoeven followed up with USDA Farm Service Agency Executive Director Gary Nelson regarding the agency’s effort to collect Updated Damage Assessment Reports. Hoeven asked Nelson to collaborate with NDSU on the economic impact study. Last July, Hoeven requested a USDA Secretarial Disaster Declaration for 35 North Dakota Counties, which was granted on August 13.
“We’re asking for an assessment of the impact of the early frost to assist in our effort to get commodity program help from the USDA and to get a disaster assistance bill through Congress,” Hoeven said.
Hoeven said he is continuing to build a coalition of other state governors to support federal disaster aid legislation. The Governor also continues to build a case for quality adjustments in any disaster aid measure. In addition to yield losses, most North Dakota crops will suffer quality damage and additional quality factors will be needed for crop insurance reimbursement.
The Governor directed producers to NDSU’s website, Coping with Late Maturing and Frost Damaged Crops, www.ag.ndsu.edu/coping/frost/. The website provides valuable information to producers about optional uses of crop growth, such as soybean hay, as well as links with livestock producers who are seeking silage or other feeds.
“While there is little we can do about the negative effects on crops and pastureland, the professionals in the College of Agriculture can help producers by continuing to educate and inform, to actively link cattlemen who need forage with those who have it available, and to help assess the economic losses,” Hoeven said.
E-mail comments to the Governor
