A total of 12 Manitoba rural municipalities have now declared a state of agricultural emergency, thanks to a severe drought in central Manitoba.

While some areas have recently received large amounts of rain others have still gone without.

The municipalities, mostly in the Interlake and Parklands regions, declared the emergency after dry weather has left producers unable to produce enough hay to feed their cattle.

They say farmers are becoming increasingly desperate as they have to pay to transport hay for their livestock or drill additional wells for water and some are considering selling their livestock.

The municipalities are asking for a meeting with the province to talk about current subsidy programs, which they say are inadequate.