USDA ANNOUNCES AMERICAN INDIAN LIVESTOCK FEED PROGRAM
                                            Release No. 0446.97

                                   Wayne Baggett (202) 720-2032
                                         wayne.baggett@usda.gov
                                  Steve Thompson (202) 720-7961
                                steve_thompson@wdc.fsa.usda.gov


USDA ANNOUNCES AMERICAN INDIAN LIVESTOCK FEED PROGRAM

     WASHINGTON, Dec. 17, 1997--Secretary of Agriculture Dan Glickman
announced today that a new livestock feed program will be implemented to
target American Indian Tribes for emergency livestock feed assistance.

     The program will cover 1997 and 1998 crop-year livestock feed losses
due to unfavorable weather conditions such as extreme winter weather or
drought. $4 million will be available annually for 2 years, not to exceed $8
million total.

     Funds for the American Indian Livestock Feed Program will be made
available from the funds received from the sale of grain previously held in
the Disaster Reserve. 

     Glickman said, "A large percentage of American Indian livestock
producers reside in communities where the Department has had difficulty
coordinating programs to meet the needs and financial constraints of
American Indians.  This factor, in addition to cultural differences, make it
difficult for members of these communities to qualify for assistance under
other USDA programs. Targeting these funds will provide much-needed
financial assistance to a previously under-served group of livestock
producers."

     The new American Indian Livestock Feed Program will serve as a
replacement for the Indian Acute Distress Donation Program which was
suspended in 1996.  The American Indian Livestock Feed Program will more
effectively serve Indian producers than previous livestock feeding programs
by making direct cash payments instead of grain donations.

     Eligible producers will be determined by tribal authority.  Eligible
livestock includes all livestock historically eligible under previous
feeding programs.

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