USDA declares 2 California counties disaster areas

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Agriculture Department on Tuesday declared two counties in California as primary disaster areas, a move that will make farmers eligible for low-interest emergency loans.

USDA said Amador and Calaveras counties have had unseasonably cold temperatures and drought this year.

Six additional counties in California are eligible for assistance because they are close to the primary disaster areas.

The USDA's Farm Service Agency said farmers have eight months to apply for emergency loans to help cover part of the financial loss of their crops.

Each loan application will be reviewed based on the extent of losses and the ability to repay the loan, the agency said.