Speaking to the North Dakota Stockmen’s Association convention Saturday, North Dakota Senator John Hoeven said the farm bill would limit prairie dog habitat on the Dakota Prairie Grasslands to no more than 1.5 percent of an individual grazing allotment. It also establishes a one-mile buffer along neighboring state and private land. The legislation also changes the Livestock Indemnity Program by establishing separate payment categories for calves under 400 pounds and those weighing 400 pounds or more. Hoeven says additional provisions would strengthen livestock disaster assistance, including help with the cost of hauling feed and water or moving livestock to available forage during qualifying drought conditions.
