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Drought relief programs available in MO

The State Executive Director with Missouri’s Farm Service Agency says several relief programs are still available for producers as the drought continues.

Missouri has seen improvements in the U.S. Drought Monitor with recent rains, but more than half of the state remains in a drought as September begins.

Joe Aull tells Brownfield there’s an interest in the Livestock Forage Program because it compensates livestock producers for grazing losses and program eligibility is based on drought severity from the U.S. Drought Monitor.

“If at one time any part of the county hit D3 or extreme drought, most producers can apply for LFP anytime up until January 1, 2024 even if conditions better.”

He says producers can also emergency hay and graze Conservation Reserve Program acres if they alert their local FSA office first.

“Farmers can convert up to 50% of that CRP land into haying and grazing under these emergency conditions. If the county hit D3, they’re eligible for that and if they hit D2, they can also qualify.”

Aull says the Livestock Indemnity Program can also be a good resource for producers who lost livestock in extremely hot conditions this summer.

He says county FSA offices are ready to help producers navigate these programs, but to be patient as they process applications.