In an unprecedented step, the Washington State Agriculture Department will survey farmers and ranchers on losses to drought this year, says Capital Press. A preliminary report is to be given to the state Department of Ecology, which disburses drought-relief funds, by the end of December. The survey will identify losses by region and commodity, as well as try to identify the impact of drought on practices such as planting and harvest schedules and labor costs. “The state has not conducted such assessments after previous droughts,” said Capital Press. In May, state officials estimated that the drought would reduce agricultural production by $1.2 billion, or 12 percent, with the greatest impact in the Yakima Valley, the top agricultural region.