Heavy Rains Good for Area Farmers

It's something that may of us encountered this week.  Heavy rains have wreaked havoc on area roads and waterways.  Yet for one segment of the population, the headaches seem to be worth it.

Farmers say this rain is something they welcome.  For the last several years, KOLR/KSFX has brought you stories on how farmers have dealt with an ongoing drought around here.  Yet this year, the skies seemed to have opened up.  And while that's no doubt a good thing, the heavy rains also meant some quick thinking for area farmers.

"We were getting ready to do some seed." says Dwight Kibby, an Ozarks farmer.

Yet, heavy rains put those plans on hold for Kibby.

He says, "We had a lot of water."

That water quickly rose out of a nearby stream bank and into his fields.

Kibby says, “"I lost a power fence. And I lost my road down here."

For two days, water spread across the farmers land.  Its high mark now ingrained on a cattle fence. Yet, Kibby says he's not complaining.

He says, "This mud is better than dust anytime."

Kibby is one of thousands of farmers who dealt with years of drought conditions here in southwest Missouri. In previous years, hay farmers took such a hit that the federal government had to step in to keep the industry afloat.

Dr. Gordon Carriker, with the University of Missouri Extension Service, says, "Seems like we're at the end of what seemed to be a five year drought cycle. I think we'll see a lot of hay put up this year."

"The idea of a drought is something farmers don't like to talk about or like to hear. But, we can deal with water." says Kibby.

For Kibby, the deluge of moisture means he will likely get more cutting sessions in this year and produce enough to feed his two herds of cattle through the year.

He says, "It's going to take a couple of days to dry out and then we'll be back at it."

Last year, Kibby and many other cattle owners had to buy hay at more than double what it typically costs.  He says the prices went from $20 dollars for a bale all the way up to $60.  So many producers are now hoping to stock up, just in case it gets dry again.