Eastern Iowa congressmen addressing drought conditions

The impact of drought will be the focus of a town hall tele-conference Thursday and a tour of farm fields by Eastern Iowa congressmen.

First District Rep. Bruce Braley will host a town hall tele-conference at 7 p.m. Thursday to discuss the drought with farmers. He'll also address the drought's impact on Iowa agriculture and the state's economy as well as federal disaster relief programs.

Braley will be joined by Juan Garcia, USDA Farm Service Agency administrator.

The call is open to the public. To participate in the meeting, call (877) 229-8493 and used the password 110428#.

Saturday, 2recently approved for emergency farm loans due to heat and drought.

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District Rep. Dave Loebsack tour southern Iowa counties that were

He'll also talk with officials from Farm Service Agency offices and meet with local Farm Bureau and community members in Appanoose, Davis, Lee and Wayne. According to reports, this year's drought is the worst in Iowa since 1988. Loebsack will also be discussing his call for disaster-loss programs for crops and livestock to be extended in the Farm Bill to cover this crop year.

His schedule and additional details will be forthcoming.