Gov. urges federal help for farmers

In a move to help ranchers and farmers get low-interest loans and other assistance, Gov. Jim Gibbons has asked for a federal disaster declaration because of drought conditions and a bad fire season.

“The entire state has suffered extensive damage due to drought which has only been compounded by widespread wildfires during the 2007 season,” Gibbons said in a letter to Chuck Conner, acting Agriculture secretary.

Boyd Spratling, head of the Nevada Cattlemen’s Assn., said the declaration would help ranchers get funds to make up for loss of production and to transport livestock to areas where there’s more feed.