The map shows designations due to drought across the country under USDA's amended rule. (USDA)

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today designated 597 counties in 14 states as primary natural disaster areas due to drought and heat, making all qualified farm operators in the areas eligible for low-interest emergency loans.

These are the first disaster designations made by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in 2013.

“As drought persists,the Agriculture department will continue to partner with producers to see them through longer-term recovery, while taking the swift actions needed to help farmers and ranchers prepare their land and operations for the upcoming planting season,” said Vilsack. ”I will also continue to work with Congress to encourage passage of a Food, Farm and Jobs bill that gives rural America the long-term certainty they need, including a strong and defensible safety net.”

The 597 counties have shown a drought intensity value of at least D2 (Drought Severe) for eight consecutive weeks based on U.S. Drought Monitor measurements, providing for an automatic designation.

In 2012, USDA designated 2,245 counties in 39 states as disaster areas due to drought, or 71 percent of the United States.

2013 Secretarial Drought Designations – All Drought
USDA List of Primary and Contiguous Counties as of 1/09/2013
USDA Drought and Drought Assistance
U.S. Drought Monitor