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Missouri FSA begins drought assessments

Missouri Farm Service Agency workers are spreading out over farms and fields throughout the state assessing damages from the heat and drought. Governor Jay Nixon ordered the assessments on Friday.

Brownfield asked Missouri FSA Director Eddie Hamill if the drought in Missouri is at a crisis level. “Nearly,” replied Hamill, “I think we’re pretty close, honestly.”

Hamill tells Brownfield Ag News the weather forecast for the next seven to 14 days of more hot and dry conditions is a real concern for corn, which is at a critical developmental stage.

“The corn, for the most part in the state, was planted so early and should be through pollination by now. The corn is just now trying to pollinate with a lack of topsoil and subsoil moisture,” Hamill says, “Our corn crop in this state, you know, so much of it goes to livestock feed, ethanol production. It, if not the largest, corn is the second largest part of ag production in this state.”

Hamill says the drought is extremely tough on cattle producers for grazing and while hay harvest is on track, he says, the hay crop is not normal.

Hamill says sorghum and cotton are all under heavy stress, less so for soybeans right now but future surveys on soybeans may be needed.

Hamill says they will have the damage assessments turned in to Governor Nixon by July 6th. The governor would then turn those over to the USDA for consideration of a disaster declaration which would open the door for farmers and ranchers to apply for FSA emergency loans and other assistance.

The southeast Missouri region has the most severe drought conditions but the disaster assessments are for all 114 Missouri counties.

AUDIO: Eddie Hamill (9:00 mp3)

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