Oklahoma Farmers, Producers Seek Help

Monday, September 18th 2006, 2:41 pm

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Oklahoma farmers and ranchers testifying before Congressman Frank Lucas' House Agriculture subcommittee hearing called for more federal assistance to help farmers survive.

Some farmers are calling for a new farm bill to provide financial protection from disasters such as the drought that led to wildfires statewide late last year and early this year.

And rancher Steve Kouplen of Beggs says the drought and fires wiped out crops and grazing land and created new costs of buying water and feed for livestock.

The testimony was heard yesterday by Lucas and fellow House Agriculture Committee members -- Chairman Bob Goodlatte of Virginian and Congressman Tim Holden of Pennsylvania.