JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Parts of Missouri are facing extreme drought and a commission has come up with a plan to help relieve some of the burden farmers and ranchers are facing.
Gov. Mike Parson put 47 counties on drought alert through an executive order in accordance with Missouri’s drought plan. The drought in 11 counties has gotten more severe since the July 19 declaration and the number of counties now affected has risen to 52.
The state granted a statewide variance allowing grazing on land normally restricted from livestock use and earmarked $2 million to help farmers plant cover crops.
Now, the Missouri Soil and Water Districts Commission has approved the following five action plan in response to the drought alert.
- Require soil and water conservation districts to move landowners completing the drought practices listed below to the top of waiting lists.
- Defer the Grazing School Requirement for 12 months after contract approval for water development and water distribution grazing system practices. The water development contracts will consist only of pipeline from the water source and one watering tank. The rest of the system can be designed and installed after the landowner has completed an approved grazing school. It is important that producers understand managed grazing prior to designing their systems.
- Implement a pond cleanout program. The sediment in the pond must be completely removed. A flat rate of $1,000 per half acre (up to 2 acres) will be paid. The maximum cost-share provided will be $4,000 regardless of the size of the pond. A 10-year maintenance commitment for the pond will be reinstated from the date of payment. This cleanout program is available only for state cost-share ponds currently under maintenance and those out of maintenance.
- A variance will be provided to raise the cover crop practice maximum to $30,000 from the current $20,000 lifetime limit and to allow cover crops to be hayed at termination to provide additional forage. Landowners over the $20,000 maximum will receive $30 per acre for any additional acres enrolled. The seeding rates and mixtures the Natural Resources Conservation Service developed for its drought program must be used. Other requirements in the policy still apply.
- The cover crop practice only applies to cropland. Landowners that have not reached their $20,000 maximum will continue to follow current policy, which allows a $30 per acre payment for a one to two species cover crop mix and a $40 per acre payment for mixes with three or more cover crop species. Grazing is allowed under current policy. Cover crop soil health tests prior to planting are still required.
To learn more, contact your local soil and water conservation district at https://mosoilandwater.land/. For a list of counties facing severe, extreme and exceptional drought, see the U.S. Drought Monitor map at https://dnr.mo.gov/drought.htm.
Alisha Shurr was a reporter for The Missouri Times and The Missouri Times Magazine. She joined The Missouri Times in January 2018 after working as a copy editor for her hometown newspaper in Southern Oregon. Alisha is a graduate of Kansas State University.
