Klobuchar takes a tour of crop damage in southern Minnesota

Last update: June 22, 2008 - 11:57 PM

ALBERT LEA, MINN. - U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., visited parts of southern Minnesota this weekend to assess farm losses from recent floods.

Klobuchar met with affected farmers, including Steve Kraushaar in Freeborn County and saw the damage on his farm.

Kraushaar said he lost 8 to 10 percent of his crop in the floods earlier this month. He will try to replant soybeans, but it's risky this late in the season. Any corn crop that he lost is gone for good, he said.

Klobuchar said she's thankful the farm bill passed with permanent disaster funds for farmers. But she said Congress is working on advance payments from the bill to help farmers now.

Gov. Tim Pawlenty has already asked President Bush for a federal disaster declaration for Fillmore, Freeborn, Houston and Mower counties.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

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