USDA designates 23 Wisconsin counties as disaster areas

MADISON (AP) -- Federal officials have declared 23 counties in southern Wisconsin as natural disaster areas due to the drought, making farms in those areas eligible for low-interest emergency loans.

The counties have been baked by recent heat waves in which temperatures sizzled into the 100-degree range and left severe drought conditions that took a major toll on crop production.

The disaster designation was announced Wednesday, July 25th by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Here's a list of the counties affected:

Also on Wednesday, Gov. Scott Walker said the state will begin accepting applications for its Drought Relief Guarantee Program. The program would provide a 90% guarantee on agricultural loans up to $15,000 for three years.

Earlier this month, Walker opened up some state-owned lands for hay and grazing. He also sped up the process for farmers to temporarily irrigate using stream or lake water.

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