By Blake Jackson
Drought-weary Missouri livestock farmers can breathe a sigh of relief! The Biden administration has awarded the state $6 million to bolster their farms against future water woes. This competitive grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture is part of a broader commitment to revitalizing rural America.
The funding comes after back-to-back droughts in 2022 and 2023, the first such double whammy for Missouri since the 1950s. The lack of water forced some farmers to make the agonizing decision of reducing their herds due to insufficient food and water resources.
But hope is on the horizon. This vital injection of funds will empower farmers to fortify their land, said Jim Plassmeyer, director of the soil and water conservation program at the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. The focus will be on two key strategies:
Enhanced water access: Farmers can tap into new water sources or implement systems to better retain existing water from irrigation and rain.
Water-wise land management: This includes utilizing drought-resistant crops like native grasses for grazing and strategic field borders to slow down water runoff.
"We're aiming to maximize water capture and utilization right on the farm," explained Plassmeyer. Ultimately, the goal is to shield farmers from the need to sell off their valuable livestock during future dry spells.
"Building farmer resilience sustains not just their businesses but also local economies across the state," Plassmeyer emphasized.
While the federal government provides the funding, the state holds the reins in deciding which projects receive support. Missouri officials are currently finalizing a partnership with the USDA and determining the criteria for selecting the most impactful projects.
Plassmeyer anticipates the first projects to break ground by summer 2024, marking a hopeful step towards a more drought-resistant future for Missouri's livestock farmers.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-ahavelaar
Categories: Missouri, Livestock