The Colorado Department of Agriculture is accepting grant applications through Nov. 17 for drought assistance in 24 eastern Colorado counties.

Cattle and sheep producers in Baca, Bent, Cheyenne, Crowely, Custer, Elbert El Paso, Fremont, Huerfano, Kiowa, Kit Carson, Larimer, Las Animas, Lincoln, Logan, Morgan, Otero, Philips, Prowers, Pueblo, Sedgwick, Washington, Weld and Yuma counties are eligible.

To qualify, owners of foundation breeding herds of cattle and sheep must be able to demonstrate drought-incurred expenses, such as costs of hauling water, acquiring additional pasture, purchase of hay or other forage, etc.

No more than $10,000 will be awarded to any eligible herd owner.

Foundation herds consist of breeding and replacement cows and bulls, ewes and rams. Foundation breeding herds do not include cattle under the age of 2 and sheep under the age of 1.

To apply, livestock owners should visit www.ag.state.co.us and go to the Livestock Assistance Grants page to download the application forms, which also are available at USDA Farm Services Agency offices and Colorado State University Cooperative Extension offices.

Completed forms should be mailed to the Colorado Department of Agriculture, Livestock Assistance Grant Program, 700 Kipling St., Suite 4000, Lakewood, CO 80215.

For more information, call (303) 239-4187.