Wyoming’s Governor is Seeking Disaster Help for Beet Farmers

Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon is asking for a federal disaster declaration to help farmers affected by cold weather in October.

Two cold spells with warm weather in between harmed sugar beet crops in northern and southeastern Wyoming.

The first cold spell halted sugar beet growth. Ensuing warm weather caused beets to rot in storage. The second cold spell made harvesting more beets impossible, Gordon told Agriculture Secretary Sonny Purdue in a letter Thursday.

Gordon wants the U.S. Department of Agriculture to declare Laramie, Goshen and Platte counties in southeastern Wyoming and Park and Big Horn counties in northern Wyoming federal disaster areas.

The designation would enable affected farmers to qualify for financial aid to address the crop losses.