PIERRE, S.D.(WNAX)- Despite recent rains, much of South Dakota has been under severe drought conditions since early this spring.

Lieutenant Governor Larry Rhoden says its pretty serious.

Rhoden says there should be some help from the federal government.

Rhoden says despite the state having hundreds of millions of extra dollars in reserve, there are few programs available to use those funds for agriculture.

Rhoden says Governor Kristi Noem will recognize the stress on agriculture in her 2022 legislative agenda.