HOW SERIOUS IS MISSOURI’S DROUGHT?
The Missouri Drought Plan has four levels for classification of drought:

• Phase 1 - Advisory - below normal rainfall has occurred for several months. This is the beginning of a county’s monitoring by the Climate and Weather Committee of the Drought Assessment Committee.
• Phase 2 - Alert - plants begin to show stress, stream levels drop and rainfall is below normal for many months. Pond levels begin to noticeably fall.
• Phase 3 - Conservation -streams are dry, river and lake levels are falling below what is expected to occur once every 10 years, soil moisture is approaching wilting point for plans and dry weather is expected to continue. Groundwater recharge has stopped. Water supplies should begin supplementing and conserving.
• Phase 4 - Emergency - many ponds and streams are dry, river stages at record daily lows, crops cannot recover, trees begin to wilt, shallow and high use water levels drop below pumps, and water rationing and hauling is needed.

To see the classification for your county, view the latest Missouri drought status map:
Drought Status Map - Aug. 2007

WHAT ASSISTANCE IS AVAILABLE TO FARMERS DURING A DROUGHT?
Farmers should contact their local Farm Service Agency (FSA) office or view http://disaster.fsa.usda.gov/fsa.asp for eligibility in related programs. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) may issue a disaster declaration for specific counties which would allow for low-interest loans.

A disaster declaration would also provide certain tax relief for farmers who have to liquidate livestock herds because of drought conditions. See IRS Publication 225 Farmers Tax Guide (www.irs.gov/publications/p225/index.html) for specific information.

WHERE CAN I FIND MORE INFORMATION?
Additional information about Missouri’s drought situation can be found on the Department of Agriculture’s Web site at www.mda.mo.gov. This site provides links to a variety of resources including the Missouri Agricultural Statistics Service’s Weekly Crop and Weather Report, the department’s Hay Directory and the U.S. Drought Monitor. Other government agencies providing drought information are also listed. Farmers who do not have access to the Internet can receive the drought information by contacting the department’s public affairs office at (573) 751-8596. Producers who have specific questions can contact Dan Engemann, drought assessment committee representative, P.O. Box 630, Jefferson City, MO 65102, (573) 522-1796 or via e-mail at Dan.Engemann@mda.mo.gov.

WHAT COUNTIES HAVE BEEN DECLARED AN AGRICULTURAL DISASTER?
Your local FSA office will have information on the current status of each county. You may also find this information at www.fsa.usda.gov/mo/.

WHERE CAN I FIND THE CURRENT CROP AND WEATHER REPORTS?
Find the latest crop progress and condition reports online at www.nass.usda.gov/Statistics_by_State/Missouri/Publications/Crop_Progress_and_Condition/ and weather reports at www.nass.usda.gov/Statistics_by_State/Missouri/Publications/Weather_Data/ or by contacting the Missouri Agricultural Statistics Service (MASS) at (573) 876-0950. Reports for neighboring states are also available on the MASS Web site.

WHERE CAN I FIND THE CURRENT MARKET VALUE FOR MY CROPS AND LIVESTOCK?
The Missouri Department of Agriculture posts daily market reports on its Web site at www.mda.mo.gov. A list of Missouri market reports by region and commodity is included, along with a map showing sale barn locations throughout the state. The department also offers a market news hotline that provides market reports. The number is (573) 522-9244 . Additional market information is available at www.mda.mo.gov/Market/reports.htm.

WILL MY DRINKING WATER BE AFFECTED?
Questions about public drinking water should be directed to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. You can visit their drought response Web site at www.dnr.mo.gov/env/wrc/droughtupdate.htm and their water protection program Web site at www.dnr.mo.gov/wpscd/wpcp/index.html or call (573) 751-4988.

HOW DO I FIND OUT MORE ABOUT CROP INSURANCE?
There are a number of private corporations that provide crop insurance to producers. Check with your local insurance agent or visit the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Risk Management Agency web site: www.rma.usda.gov/. You can contact the Risk Management Agency’s regional office that covers Missouri by:

• calling (785) 266-0248,
• writing the director at: 3401 S.W. Van Buren Street, Topeka, KS 66611,
• e-mailing rsoks@rma.usda.gov, or
• faxing the director at (785) 266-2487.