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MO producers: send more rain

A cattle producer in west-central Missouri says the one-inch of rain that fell over the weekend is helpful, but more is needed as the drought persists.

David Dick from Sedalia tells Brownfield not a lot of producers in the area have started hauling water, but that could happen soon if more rain doesn’t come.

“I think we’ve been lucky,” he says. “Back several years ago in previous droughts, wells were drilled with the help of Soil and Water Conservation Districts and maybe that has come into play. Ponds and creeks are an issue for folks and if that’s all they’ve got, there are concerns.”

Dick tells Brownfield he hasn’t cut hay yet.

“I’m not sure I want to kill the grass, but I may also want to pasture the grass instead of mow it.”

He says many cattle producers across Missouri remain concerned about forage supplies and while producers may not want to sell their cattle, the good prices can make it difficult to turn down.