Feds’ Reserve Grain
Finally Ordered Sold

WASHINGTON — It took almost a month of Congressional cajoling and may be too little too late for many stockmen, but the Clinton administration has finally agreed to release some of the grain USDA has been stockpiling for emergencies like the drouth that has been going on in the Southwest for the better part of three years.

Sen. Pete Domenici, R-NM, announced last week that USDA would begin releasing some of its 45 million pound feed grain stockpile in the face of nationwide grain shortages and the highest prices in years.

"I am very pleased that USDA is moving forward," said Domenici. "For months our farmers and ranchers have suffered not only from an overbearing sun, but also inaction. Today’s announcement could have and should have come sooner."

USDA, Domenici’s office says, agreed to sell up to 15 million bushels of grain over the next 90 days, the proceeds to go to the federal Disaster Reserve Assistance Program.

To be eligible for assistance, producers must have lost at least 40 percent of their normal feed production. They must also derive at least 10 percent of their annual gross income from grain and livestock sales, and have annual gross revenues of not more than $2.5 million.