Gov. Walz Seeks Agriculture Disaster Declaration For NW Minnesota

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP/WCCO) — Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz has asked U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue to declare a disaster for 12 counties of northwestern Minnesota where farmers are having a difficult harvest season.

In his request Thursday, the governor said the unrelenting bad weather this season has come on top of challenges farmers were already facing from low commodity prices and trade uncertainties. He says crops have fallen victim to flooding, disease and freezing temperatures.

"In recent years, farmers in the Midwest have faced numerous challenges and Minnesota producers are no exception. From low commodity prices, to uncertainty around trade, farmers have struggled to find stable, profitable markets for their crops. These challenges have only become more acute with the severe weather conditions plaguing our state," Walz's letter said.

A secretarial disaster declaration would make emergency loans available to affected producers. The USDA typically requires that a county have a 30% loss in production of at least one crop.

Walz notes that the soybean and sugarbeet harvests in northwestern Minnesota are running way behind due to heavy rains, while an early freeze ended most of the potato harvest.

(© Copyright 2019 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)