Federal assistance requires massive paperwork and often yields little to no cash, said Matt Brown, board chairman.

Federal relief is a disaster itself, he said.

The board is considering ways to ease the drought that is plaguing mostly central, northern and northeastern Wyoming.

Temporary solutions include asking federal land managers for more flexibility in grazing, and seeking tax deferments for ranchers who may be forced to sell their livestock.

Some farmers and ranchers face an end to their water allotments because of drought. That could lower hay production and hurt the cattle industry, which would sell cattle instead of paying the escalating prices for hay.

Northern Wyoming is particularly hard hit this year. North of Gillette, farmers are reportedly producing no more than 25 percent of the normal amount of hay, and sometimes no hay at all.

My district is a total disaster, said Brown, who ranches west of Thermopolis. Its the worst Ive seen in my life.

In central Wyoming, hay production is off by 30 to 40 percent in Natrona and Fremont counties.

Southern Wyoming is faring better than last year, but not by much.

Weve got enough rain to be marginally good, said board member Alan Todd, speaking for Crook, Weston and Niobrara counties.

Eastern Wyoming has had spotty rain and conditions can range from lush to parched within 10 miles of land, he said.

Grant Stumbough, manager of natural resources for the agriculture department, and others have written to U.S. Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman to provide block grants to states more efficiently.