Ag officials to assess Missouri drought
Photographer: Zach Tecklenburg
Copyright 2012 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Posted: 06/25/2012
-
By: Associated Press
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - Gov. Jay Nixon wants federal agriculture officials to determine whether heat and drought conditions are taking a toll on Missouri's crops and livestock.
The National Climatic Data Center says moderate drought conditions persist across nearly 87 percent of Missouri. And extreme drought conditions exist in southeast Missouri.
The governor says the heat and drought likely will cause crop yields to decline and put livestock under stress.
The assessment by the federal Farm Service Agency is the first step in seeking a disaster declaration.
If estimated yield losses exceed 30 percent for particular crops or farmers, counties could be eligible for a primary disaster declaration. That would make farmers eligible for emergency loans.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
PRINT
Top Weather Headlines
-
Storm Shield: Stay ahead of the storms
Storm Shield is a life-saving app that acts like a NOAA Emergency Weather Radio on your iPhone or Android.
-
Photos from Oklahoma tell powerful story
The pictures from Moore, Okla., are powerful, telling a story without a single word.
