By KRWG News
New Mexico – ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRWG) The Department of Agriculture has granted emergency grazing rights to ranchers in five drought-stricken New Mexico counties.
U.S. Senators Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall say the department approved their request for an emergency application to let ranchers from Harding, Lea, Quay, Roosevelt and Union counties graze their livestock on federal lands not typically used for grazing.
Last week, the agriculture granted the emergency status for ranchers in Curry County.
The special status was sought for 12 New Mexico counties due to the severe drought and wildfires that have left little forage for livestock.
Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. KRWG