HUTCHINSON, Kan. (AP) 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 Hutchinson News reports 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.
