January 26, 2012

Kansas farmers have claimed nearly $1 billion in insurance to offset crop losses caused by the lingering drought.

The federal government says that breaks a Kansas record of
$446.8 million for drought claims set in 2002, and more claims are
expected.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture said in its weekly update
that it had paid $987.3 million to Kansas farmers so far for
withered wheat and fall crops.

Rebecca Davis, director of the USDA's Topeka office, says she
expects the payout amount to reach $1 billion.

The drought is going into its second year in Kansas. Besides the lack of rainfall, there were nearly 50 days of triple-digit temperatures
this summer.