By Associated Press – 13 Oct ’14
Statistics show that 76 percent of Wyoming farmers and ranchers decline to seek financial help from the federal government’s various agricultural assistance programs.
In 2012, USDA programs provided $28 million to 24 percent of the farms and ranches in the state. The programs cover agricultural issues ranging from the loss of cattle due to drought to the loss of commodity crops like wheat or corn.
Agricultural leaders in the Cowboy State blame programs tailored more for Midwestern, crop-related issues, and fewer programs for the livestock industry.
The Casper Star-Tribune reports that livestock aid programs tend to focus on helping ranchers in times of disaster rather than the consistent annual assistance provided by those programs targeting commodity crops.
