State Senator Says More Help Needed For Livestock Assistance

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- A state lawmaker says Oklahoma ranchers can now apply for Livestock Assistance Grants to offset drought losses.<br/><br/>But Senator Jeff Rabon of Hugo says more still needs to be

Monday, October 9th 2006, 6:19 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- A state lawmaker says Oklahoma ranchers can now apply for Livestock Assistance Grants to offset drought losses.

But Senator Jeff Rabon of Hugo says more still needs to be done to resolve the problems facing livestock producers in the state.

The state will receive $6.5-million from the US Department of Agriculture for drought relief for cattlemen.

But Rabon says there are nearly 70,000 livestock producers in Oklahoma and the grant money is a mere drop in the bucket when you consider the expense of feeding that many animals.

Rabon says the state could use some of its budget surplus to help farmers and ranchers in drought stricken areas.