USDA buys meat to help drought-stricken farmers

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The U.S. Dept of Agriculture will buy up to $170 million of pork, lamb, chicken, and catfish to help drought-stricken farmers and ranchers. USDA Secretary Tim Vilsack says the purchase of the meat will help them with the high cost of feed. The food will go to food banks and other federal food nutrition programs.

This announcement came as President Barack Obama campaigned in Iowa, Monday, August 13th, where he criticized Republican vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan for blocking a farm bill that could help farmers cope with the drought.

The president has promised a significant response to the worst drought in a quarter-century. His administration is giving farmers and ranchers access to low-interest loans, opening more federal land for grazing and distributing $30 million to get water to livestock.

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