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Disaster assistance requested from USDA

Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe has asked the USDA to provide federal disaster assistance to 27 counties following damaging winds, excessive rains and flooding.

In a letter, Kehoe says the weather has certainly prevented or delayed planting and will necessitate replanting for many farmers. He says access to emergency loans through the Farm Service Agency can help in the recovery process.

The 27 counties are mostly in the southern part of the state and include: Bollinger, Butler, Cape Girardeau, Cooper, Carter, Douglas, Dunklin, Howell, Iron, Laclede, Madison, Maries, Mississippi, New Madrid, Oregon, Ozark, Pemiscot, Pulaski, Reynolds, Ripley, Shannon, Scott, Stoddard, Texas, Vernon, Washington and Wayne.

Missouri FSA says producers who lost livestock in any of these events might be eligible for the Livestock Indemnity Program and the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-Raised Fish Program.

The FSA also offers a variety of direct and guaranteed farm loans to producers unable to secure commercial financing. Producers should contact their local FSA office for more details.