DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An agriculture disaster declaration has been approved for six western Iowa counties affected by flooding along the Missouri River.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the disaster designation Friday for Freemont, Harrison, Mills, Monona, Pottawattamie and Woodbury counties.

Gov. Terry Branstad says in a news release that the designation will allow farmers in those counties to receive assistance through federal emergency loans.

The USDA also named Cass, Cherokee, Crawford, Ida, Montgomery, Page, Plymouth and Shelby counties as contiguous disaster areas, allowing farmers in those counties to be considered for assistance.

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says the Obama administration realizes federal aid will be necessary until conditions improve and farmers recover their losses.