AMARILLO, Texas (KAMR/KCIT) — The federal government shutdown is affecting farmers, ranchers and federal employees across the Panhandle.

Producers said the closure of U.S Department of Agriculture and Farm Service Agency offices is delaying loans and support programs critical for planting and harvesting. Jared Blankenship, a Texas Farm Bureau director and local farmer, said the shutdown comes at a particularly challenging time after years of drought, lower crop prices and rising costs.

"In the short term, it's just a further delay," Blankenship said. "From a long-term perspective, it probably means bankruptcy for operations. All the loan efforts from USDA and FSA are going to be curtailed, and one of the critical problems with agriculture right now is a credit crisis. We go to the bank,

See Full Page