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Drought program updates requested for farm bill

The reoccurring drought found its way into feedback during Monday’s farm bill listening session at the Missouri State Fair.

It’s the second year of drought in Missouri and Dru Buntin, the director of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, says with short water supplies new programs are needed for producers.

“Especially as it relates to the pond storage capacity we’ve lost. We’re really wanting members of Congress to consider programs that would help with the storage and provide assistance for the next drought.”

Buntin tells Brownfield…

“It’s possible those ponds would also help some of the flood impacts in wet years by storing it in a watershed.”

The U.S. Drought Monitor shows improvement in the dry conditions, but at least 92% of Missouri remains dry.