Gov. Nixon Surveys Drought Damage at Polk County Farm

BOLIVAR, Mo. -- Governor Jay Nixon spent Tuesday on the road, inspecting farms in several areas of Missouri -- including Polk County.

Gov. Nixon saw lots of crop damage and the potential of hard times in Ewing, Tarkio, and Bolivar.

"When you have a drought that is as widespread and long as this one, it could have effects well into the fall. People may see it with pressure for higher commodity prices and thus food prices, but also you have those farm families out there invested."

Nixon toured the Wheeler family farm and met with Monte and Mary Wheeler, as well as other area farmers to assess the hardships they have faced so far during these extremely dry conditions.

The Wheeler family raises cattle on 300 acres in Polk County and has been greatly affected by shortages of pasture and hay.

"It'll affect everything," says farmer Monty Wheeler of Bolivar. "The price of feed. The price of food at the grocery store."

"This year is a year most farmers are not going to make a profit," says farmer Doug Jones. "It's going to be a matter of will that farmer survive the dry weather."

Nixon says he hopes the agriculture disaster designation given to all 114 Missouri counties will help family farmers make ends meet over the winter. The declaration opens access to low interest loans to help farmers as they continue to struggle with the dry conditions.

Read More: All Missouri Counties Declared Disaster Areas Due to Drought

Gov. Nixon said it is important for the state to stand behind its strong agriculture industry.

"As a state, we will continue to stand with Missouri farmers at every step of this disaster and throughout the recovery process," Nixon said. "Together, we will ensure that a strong agriculture industry remains the backbone of Missouri's economy."

See Also:
USDA Approves Drought Disaster Declaration for Arkansas
MO Senators Push for Disaster Aid; Ag Dept. Eases Loan Process
Nixon Requests Ag Disaster Designation for All Missouri Counties