GOVERNOR BLUNT DIRECTS AGRICULTURE DEPARTMENT TO ASSIST FARM FAMILIES WITH HAY AVAILABILITY

FROM THE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR

September 07, 2007

Contact: Jessica Robinson, 573-751-0290


JEFFERSON CITY – Gov. Matt Bunt today sent a letter to Agriculture Director Katie Smith directing her to take appropriate steps to assist Missouri farm families with the availability of hay.

"Missouri is experiencing extreme weather conditions again this year. Currently, there are 88 counties listed in some phase of drought alert or drought advisory," Blunt wrote in the letter. "The late freeze and recent extreme temperatures contributed to low hay yields across the state and current conditions are now impacting any available pastures. Many livestock producers have dipped into hay supplies which were already critically low."

Gov. Blunt asked Director Smith to take measures to ensure livestock owners have information about hay available for sale in hopes they will not feel forced to liquidate their herds. Blunt directed Smith to notify Missouri farm families about opportunities to purchase hay and to make an effort to get hay producers in contact with livestock owners. In addition the governor asked Smith to work with the Missouri Department of Transportation in waiving the over-dimension permit fees for transporting hay in our state.

Reference: Letter to Katie Smith, Department of Agriculture at http://www.gov.mo.gov/press/KatieSmith-DroughtAssistance-Sent9-7-07.pdf