Virginia agriculture leaders announced on May 28 that farmers impacted by ongoing drought conditions and a recent late freeze may be eligible for federal disaster assistance. Much of the state remains under severe-to-extreme drought, with several localities receiving disaster designations from U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins and the Farm Service Agency. Eligible producers can access various programs, including emergency loans and other recovery options.
Carl Daniel, Halifax County Farm Bureau president who grows corn, soybean, tobacco, and raises beef cattle, said recent rains have provided some relief. “The rain has been sporadic. Some areas only got an inch-and-a-half while others up to 5 inches. But any rain is good in a drought situation!” Daniel said many Southside Virginia farmers are planting later than usual but remain hopeful about the season’s prospects.
Bruce Slagle, a Virginia Farm Bureau Federation state board member representing the region’s farmers, described challenging conditions for grasslands and pastures. “Some farmers are still feeding their hay supplies from last fall, while not making more,” Slagle said. “Normally, you’re rolling hay now for next winter. What little hay is out there—they might be feeding it already.”
VFBF Vice President Robert J. Mills Jr., who operates Briar View Farms in Pittsylvania County, reported that his first cutting of hay was less than 30% of normal yield due to dry weather: “The rest dried up.” Mills also noted delayed tobacco plantings this year: “This is the first time in our career that we’ve ever planted tobacco in June,” he said.
Daniel added that some cattle farmers in Halifax are selling young calves early because of limited pasture availability and growing demand for feed hay among area producers.
Farmers affected by the late April freeze may qualify for physical loss loans through FSA to help repair or replace damaged property. The Disaster Assistance Discovery Tool on farmers.gov can assist growers in determining program eligibility or loan options; additional information is available through local USDA Service Centers or Virginia FSA at 804-287-1500.
Virginia Farm Bureau Foundation AGPAC relies on an annual membership fee of $40 for funding and focuses on enhancing member success through resources benefiting agriculture across Virginia; it advocates within the General Assembly and partners with companies such as Case IH and John Deere to offer savings on farm equipment, according to the official website.
