NEW ORLEANS - The U.S. Department of Agriculture says Bossier, Caddo and Concordia parishes have been declared primary natural disaster areas due to damage and losses caused by storms and flooding in August.

Monday's announcement in a USDA news release says farmers and ranchers in those parishes can apply for disaster aid. Also eligible to apply are those in parishes or counties in Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas and Texas that share a common border with Bossier, Caddo or Concordia.

Qualified farm operators in the designated areas can apply for low interest emergency loans.