Missouri lawmakers are asking Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack to immediately allow emergency haying of Conservation Reserve Program acres in the drought.
The primary nesting season delays several actions on CRP ground until after July 15 in Missouri.
In a letter, the U.S. lawmakers said more than 80% of Missouri is experiencing drought conditions and those dry conditions have been lasting much of the growing season.
Lawmakers said available forage in pastures and hay crop yields are below typical and some producers started feeding hay to livestock in June, long before the typical November timeframe.
