Drought Relief for Farmers

Drought Relief for Farmers
STRAIGHT TALK WITH SAM

Volume 5, Issue 38, September 19, 2005

Disasters come in different forms and sizes. Farmers have learned all too well that they are always one day away from a flood and two weeks away from a drought. In Missouri we are once again experiencing a severe drought.

I have witnessed first hand the poor yields on soybeans and corn. As the level of feedstock disappears it leaves cattle both hungry and thirsty. Farmers have few good options. A study by the University of Missouri Food and Agriculture Policy Research Institute (FAPRI) estimates the losses to the state's corn and hay crops alone at $370 million.

Our country has a responsibility to help farmers get through this drought so that they can be ready to plant crops next spring. I recently signed a letter to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) along with Governor Blunt and the rest of our state's Congressional Delegation asking for relief.

The USDA has approved our request to have 112 of Missouri's 114 counties (all but Atchison and Holt) declared disaster areas as a result of the drought. This will make farmers in those counties eligible for low-interest loans. As the situation continues to worsen, low interest loans may not be enough.

As a farmer, I know this has been a difficult growing season. Farmers have become all too familiar with being at the mercy of Mother Nature. I will continue to do everything in my power to bring needed relief to the farmers and ranchers of Missouri.

http://www.house.gov/graves/straighttalk/2005issue38.htm