The Oct. 10 drought map on the University of Nebraska's Web site shows Missouri counties most seriously affected by drought. The darker the shading the more critical the drought situation. [Click to enlarge]

U.S. Rep. Ike Skelton (D-Mo.) thanked the U.S. Department of Agriculture Wednesday, Oct. 11, for recognizing the need for drought emergency assistance for Missouri farmers.

"Severe heat and drought has taken a toll on Missouri farmers, so I am grateful for the Agriculture Secretary's declaration," Skelton said in a news release.

"Farmers in 85 Missouri counties, including every county in the Fourth Congressional District, will be able to apply for USDA assistance," Skelton added.

Saline County is eligible as a county contiguous to those in the primary natural disaster area. Pettis and Lafayette counties are included in the "primary natural disaster area," according to the news release.

"While this assistance for Missouri farmers is welcome, Congress must do more to address the needs of farmers and rural communities throughout the country," Skelton said.

Citing a number of natural disasters that have affected crops in 2005 and 2006, Skelton said he and a number of his colleagues in Congress "want the U.S. House of Representatives to consider a comprehensive agricultural disaster relief proposal."

Counties listed in the USDA's Oct. 10 declaration were designated as natural disaster areas, making all qualified farm operators in those counties eligible for low interest emergency (EM) loans from USDA's Farm Service Agency (FSA), provided eligibility requirements are met.

Farmers in eligible counties have eight months from the date of the declaration to apply for loans to help cover part of their actual losses.

On the Net:

www.drought.unl.edu/dm/DM_state.htm?MO,M...

www.fsa.usda.gov