According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Disaster and Drought Assistance web page, “drought is a weather phenomenon plaguing agriculture since civilizations began farming and ranching as organized ways to feed themselves. Drought that affects growing or grazing quality affects about a third of the nation’s counties each year.”
There are 114 counties in Missouri. As of July 17, 2012, USDA has designated 97 counties in Missouri as primary natural disaster areas due to damage and losses caused by drought and excessive heat that began in April and continues.
The types of programs that Missouri producers may be eligible for to seek assistance, through USDA, include Emergency Haying and Grazing, Emergency Conservation Program and Emergency Farm Loans.
When it comes to finding assistance information and resources for this year’s drought, the places to go to online seem to increase as the counties declared under drought increase. One of the first places Missouri producers may check is the state’s USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) website.
“The website provides general information and these programs are changing so quickly since the drought is on-going and moisture recovery cannot be predicted,” said Gerald Hrdina, Conservation Chief for the Missouri State USDA FSA office. “For specific information about options available to producers in their county, they should go to their local FSA office.”
The Missouri NRCS office also provides program resources that may have drought assistance options, he added.
“The Governor’s office just approved a cost-share assistance program,” Hrdina said. “For example, if producers wanted to divide additional water costs, they could use this program.” Producers can find further information about this and other drought resources and programs on the Missouri Department of Agriculture website.
When sorting through all the drought resources and information available to producers, Hrdina reminded us that it is best to keep in mind a producer’s specific needs. “It is always best to visit their county FSA office to see what their operation qualifies for.”
Hrdina added that another concern producers may want to address is if they are considering chopping their corn for silage, nitrate levels should be tested before doing so. Producers should contact their local extension agent if they have questions about doing this.
