Douglas county farmers who have lost crops or livestock to drought could be eligible for emergency farm loans through the USDA’s Farm Service Agency.

FSA Farm Loan Manager Stacy Kull announced Thursday that farmers in Coffey and Osage were eligible for disaster assistance for losses from drought beginning May 6. Farmers in Douglas, Franklin and Shawnee also became eligible though a law that allows bordering counties to apply for the assistance as well.

The relief comes after Gov. Sam Brownback declared a state of emergency last week for Kansas counties because of ongoing drought throughout the state.

The emergency loans can be used to replace physical losses, such as equipment or livestock, or cover production losses by paying for feed, seed, fertilizer and other expenses.

Applicants must operate a family sized farm or ranch, be unable to get credit elsewhere, and have suffered a qualifying loss from drought.

Applications will be accepted by FSA until Jan. 14, 2015. Farmers and ranchers can contact the FSA County Office in Ottawa or call 785-242-3527 for more information about applying.