TALENT & GRAVES SEEK APPROVAL FOR EMERGENCY DISASTER DECLARATIONS FOR DROUGHT-STRICKEN AREAS

By Scanews staff

U.S. Senator Jim Talent (R-Mo.) and U.S. Representative Sam Graves (R-Mo.) are seeking approval from the Bush Administration for emergency disaster declarations for 39 drought-stricken counties in Missouri.  

Sen. Talent, a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee and Rep. Graves, a member of the House Agriculture Committee, today wrote Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman requesting approval of the Governor of Missouri's recent disaster declaration request.

"Due to overwhelmingly dry conditions in Northwest and North Central Missouri, the Governor of Missouri recently requested a disaster declaration for 39 counties," Talent and Graves wrote.  "Farmers in this region are suffering through a drought for the third consecutive year and record low rainfalls of this year, coupled with the scorching temperatures make this year's drought the worst in recent history.  We urge you to quickly assess the drought data for Northwest and North Central Missouri and grant the Governor's request for disaster declaration."  

"This declaration request acknowledges the severe drought we have here," said Marty Richardson of Camden Point in Platte County.  "I'm already hauling water for the cows.  This drought has hit a lot of farmers really hard.  It is hard to pay the bills when corn is yielding 50 bushels an acre."

Talent and Graves have worked closely together to ensure that federal agencies quickly provide all available help to Missourians affected by the drought.  Earlier this month, they sought and helped win quick approval by the Missouri Farm Service Agency Board to extend haying and grazing of CRP land.  This extension will provide further assistance to the farmers who are suffering in this drought.

Making the case for additional assistance, Talent and Graves pointed out a report issued Monday by the Missouri Agricultural Statistics Service which showed that row crops and pasture conditions have continued to deteriorate over most of the state during the past week.  

"Current estimates predict both corn and soybean yields will be greatly reduced, as much as 50% due to the drought," wrote Talent and Graves.  "While it is likely too late to save the corn crop, a late rain could improve soybean yields.  A declaration for the 39 counties will allow farmers to access farm programs such as the low interest loan program.  This will help farmers stay in operation through the end of the crop year, as well as, purchase their seed and fertilizer for the next growing season."

Emergency disaster declarations are being sought for the following Missouri counties: Andrew, Atchison, Barton, Bates, Benton, Buchanan, Caldwell, Carroll, Cass, Cedar, Chariton, Clay, Clinton, Cooper, Daviess, DeKalb, Gentry, Grundy, Harrison, Henry, Hickory, Holt, Jackson, Johnson, Lafayette, Linn, Livingston, Mercer, Morgan, Nordaway, Pettis, Platte, Putnam, Ray, St. Clair, Saline, Sullivan, Vernon and Worth.