The U.S. government plans to purchase a large amount of livestock products to help cattle and poultry farmers that have been hit hard by a severe drought.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced on Monday that it will purchase 170 million dollars worth of pork, lamb, chicken, and catfish for federal food nutrition assistance programs.

The department added that it will keep a close eye on any development related to droughts and devise additional measures if necessary.

The department’s decision comes after livestock farmers’ losses grew with feed prices surging due to the nation’s persistent drought.