A federal disaster declaration covering weather-related crop damage in 42 North Dakota counties also will benefit some farmers in South Dakota, Minnesota and Montana.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack approved the disaster declaration late last month because of severe weather including spring flooding.

It covers 24 primary counties. Under federal law, farmers in an additional 18 contiguous counties in North Dakota also are eligible for assistance — along with farmers in seven contiguous counties each in Minnesota and South Dakota and one in Montana.