"We are experiencing one of the driest growing seasons in recent memory," said Sen. Talent. "Missouri corn growers have told me that in some parts of the state this year's drought is as bad as the drought of 1989. This assistance can be used for things like water for livestock as we work to approve additional drought assistance for our producers."

Missouri counties receiving this drought assistance funding include: Barry, Dent, Lawrence, Texas, Boone, Camden, Carter, Cedar, Cole, Crawford, Dade, Dallas, Howard, Lincoln, Maries, Marion, Miller, Moniteau, Monroe, Montgomery, Osage, Pettis, Phelps, Pike, Pulaski, Polk, Ripley & Ste. Genevieve. Last month, Missouri received $1,078,500 in ECP funds.

The Missouri drought threatens to do considerable damage to the state's economy. A significant percentage of the corn and soybeans in Missouri are rated as poor to very poor and farmers will see lower yields which will hurt their bottom line. Additionally, 75 percent of the pastures in the state are in poor or very poor condition. Livestock producers have been devastated, and some are being forced to sell their animals.

The Emergency Conservation Program is administered by the USDA's Farm Service Agency (FSA) state and county committees. Sen. Talent is encouraging Missouri producers in these counties to contact their local FSA office for more information.

Last month, Sen. Talent announced that the USDA approved Missouri Governor Matt Blunt's request to declare most of Missouri a disaster area due to the severe drought. That disaster declaration will make all qualified farm operators eligible for low-interest emergency (EM) loans from USDA's Farm Service Agency (FSA).