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Nixon says declaration gives “maximum flexibility”

Missouri’s governor says the USDA’s granting of a statewide drought disaster declaration for Missouri gives “maximum flexibility” for responding to producers’ needs, now and moving forward.

Governor Jay Nixon, who held roundtable discussions with farmers and local leaders about the drought in Lewis, Atchison, and, Polk County Tuesday, says the corn crop situation is “dire”, livestock operations are suffering, and, while soybeans could rebound with some rain, the crop is struggling.

“All of these present a significant challenge to the farm economy of our state,” Nixon says, “One that they have, in many ways, dealt with in the past. But, because of the farmers’ vital role as the backbone of Missouri’s economy presents challenges that we want to stay in front of and work with these folks to make sure that we continue to support them through the summer and the fall.”

Nixon says the drought has other negative effects from fires to the barge shipment of ag products.

“I mean,” says Nixon, “We’ve seen many fires break out. We’ve had fires in the forests. We’ve had water tables dropping in some parts of the state. You have ponds that are down to the very low level. You have Missouri and Mississippi Rivers at very low levels. So, as the summer goes on if we don’t get rain we’re going to continue to see challenges.”

Nixon says he’s especially concerned about beginning row crop, beef cattle and dairy producers who are trying to get their operations going.

The governor has signed CRP waivers to allow emergency grazing due to the lack of hay in Missouri.

Missourinet contributed to this report~