PICKENS, S.C. (AP)- South Carolina Agriculture Commissioner Hugh Weathers says the state might get a federal disaster declaration because of the drought.

The Greenville News reported Weathers and Gov. Mark Sanford are
to be in Pickens on Wednesday to examine conditions.

Gubernatorial spokesman Joel Sawyer says Sanford will talk about
the importance of voluntary conservation.

Weathers says the cumulative effect of two years of drought has
forced some cattle producers and horse owners to sell off part of
their herds because of problems getting hay.

Weathers says his office will start a public-private partnership this month to help livestock owners get hay for their animals.

Fourteen counties in the Upstate and western part of the state
have been declared in extreme drought.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)