Governor Jay Nixon HAS directed the Missouri Department of Agriculture, to request the USDA Farm Service Agency open Conservation Reserve Program lands to grazing in counties meeting requirements for shortages of hay/forage and
precipitation.

Approximately one point four million acres of Missouri land are enrolled in C-R-P. When a county meets specific requirements, including a 40 percent shortage of hay/forage and precipitation, these lands can be opened for grazing.

Last week, 58 percent of the state’s pastures were rated as poor or very poor in the USDA’s Weekly Progress Report. Missouri also is running 48 percent short or very short on hay supplies.
The Farm Service Agency continues to assess damages resulting from dry conditions. This
weekend, Gov. Nixon met with firefighters and emergency responders who have been battling a fire in the Mark Twain National Forest in Iron
County. Gov. Nixon also has ordered the Missouri National Guard to ready personnel and supplies to support firefighting operations in the state if needed. In addition, the Governor urged Missourians to take special precautions as the state prepares for the July 4 holiday.

Missourians who need information about cooling
centers or agricultural or other resources, including the state hay directory, should
visit MO.gov.