WASHINGTON, Mo. – Ongoing drought conditions are taking a toll on local farms, especially those that rely on hay and forest production. With little rainfall in recent weeks, many farmers are facing challenges they haven’t seen in years.

Terry Schwoeppe, a local farmer in Franklin County and current Missouri Soybean Association board director from District 6, says the lack of moisture has significantly impacted crop growth.

"Once the rains quit, it (crop growth) basically quit," he said. "And with the way Mother Nature works, you just don’t have the root mass there because it cannot dig in the ground for moisture."

Cattle pastures are also suffering. At this time of year, livestock would be grazing healthy, regrown fields — but that regrowth isn’t happening.

Thanks for signing up!

Watc

See Full Page