USDA has transferred $30 million from other programs to the guaranteed loan program.  It means an additional $333 million can be used to guarantee loans to farmers.  The action should take the loan program into mid-April when Congress is expected to approve a final version of the supplemental appropriations bill.

"Failure to provide this assistance to farmers could threaten their ability to plant crops, service their debt and protect their property and their families," said Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman in making the announcement.

In addition, USDA's Farm Service Agency has been told to retain 700 temporary employees to help process disaster-related assistance and loan deficiency payments.  Both have overwhelmed FSA staff offices, according to Glickman, and delayed disaster assistance into June.

The loan money will come from the salaries and expense account funds.  The supplemental appropriations bill could provide $1.1 billion in farm loans and loan guarantees.  The Senate and House bills have to go to a conference committee when Congress returns from its spring recess.