Governor seeks drought assistance, opponent says "What took so long?"

Governor Tom Vilsack’s asking Iowa’s Congressmen to press for federal drought assistance for farmers in western Iowa. Vilsack says there are serious concerns about the drought’s impact on crops — and livestock.Vilsack says Midwest Governors have co-signed a letter, urging federal policymakers to send help, as drought-stricken farms will take huge financial hits this year.Vilsack says if some areas don’t get rain soon, matters will become very troubling. Vilsack’s asking for release of conservation reserve acres so the land can be used to make hay or provide grazing ground for livestock. He’s also asking for payments for crop losses due to drought.Republican gubernatorial candidate Doug Gross says Vilsack’s move is a little late. Gross says back on the 4th of July, he called on Vilsack to start lobbying for federal help for drought-stricken farmers.Both Gross and Vilsack campaigned in Creston yesterday.