Blizzard-Stricken Ranchers Apply for Federal Aid

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — About one-third of the initial applications made to a federal aid program for disaster-stricken ranchers have come from the Dakotas, and most of the money doled out so far has gone to South Dakota producers.

South Dakota ranchers lost an estimated 43,000 cattle and other livestock in an early October blizzard. More than 1,000 animals died in southwestern North Dakota.

The Livestock Indemnity Program authorized by the new federal farm bill started taking applications April 15. As of May 1, there were 1,034 applications, with 326 from South Dakota and 32 from North Dakota.

The government says about $343,000 has been disbursed to ranchers nationwide so far — with 85 percent of the money going to South Dakota ranchers. The applications from North Dakota are still being processed.