Drought bill offers livestock farmers up to $100,000 each.

Livestock producers hit by the worst drought in half a century could get up to $100,000 each to offset high feed costs and death of animals under a bill expected to pass the U.S. House of Representatives as early as Thursday.

Republican leaders indicated they would fast-track a vote on the $383 million bill before Congress leaves on Friday for a five-week vacation. There would be little time left for the Senate to act, so it could be fall before the plan becomes law.

While crop insurance will provide a safety net for many farmers, disaster programs for livestock producers expired at the end of 2011. Lawmakers were under pressure to provide help before they recess until Sept 10.

The bill would compensate ranchers for 75 percent of the value of stock killed by drought and pay 60 percent of feed costs for one to three months for stock on the range. It also has $20 million for feed and water shortages for livestock, bees and farm-raised fish, and a program to help tree farmers recover from losses.

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