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Farmers see varying drought impacts

The drought’s impact on agriculture varies across different parts of the Corn Belt.

Missouri Director of Agriculture Chris Chinn tells Brownfield crops in the northern part of the state look good, but southern Missouri farmers haven’t been as lucky.

“Some areas of the state are probably going to have record-breaking yields and others are not,” Chinn said. “It’s going to be a tough year for some of our farmers in the state.”

Governor Mike Parson says this year’s drought could have long-term impacts.

“What’s happening today will affect this fall,” Parson said. “When you got to go feed, when you got to have crops out there to be able to finish through that winter, and that will also compound what happens in the winter. Because if you are feeding hay now, for example, you are not going to have enough hay on the end of that to be able to do that. So, it’s a long journey.”

Parson says recent rain events have provided relief, but more will need to be done to help farmers recover.

Brownfield interviewed Director Chinn and Governor Parson during the Ham Breakfast at the 2022 Missouri State Fair.