USDA: Missouri Farmers Now Eligible for Financial Assistance

Jan 11, 2013

U.S Department of Agriculture Declares 31 Counties in Missouri under Natural Disaster

The U.S Department of Agriculture has officially acknowledged that 31 Missouri state counties are under a natural disaster declaration. The declaration comes as the much of the state suffered devastating drought conditions in 2012, leaving farmers with little hope of a decent crop.

According to state Governor Jay Nixon, this official declaration means that farmers can now get emergency loans and other forms of assistance through the USDA’s Farm Service Agency. Again, this disaster aid is only available to farmers in the 31 affected counties.

The following list provides some guidance on what the emergency loan funding will cover:

•    Restore or replace essential property
•    Pay all or part of production costs associated with the disaster year
•    Pay essential family living expenses
•    Reorganize the farming operation
•    Refinance certain debts, excluding real estate

Emergency loans issued by the USDA are set at a maximum of $500,000. For more information on the USDA disaster assistance program, please visit the Farm Service Agency website.

Video: Dr. Emerson Nafziger: Nitrogen Fertilizer Rates for Corn

The Crop Science Podcast Show, Dr. Emerson Nafziger from the University of Illinois breaks down decades of nitrogen research. From the evolution of N rate guidelines to how soil health and hybrid genetics influence nitrogen use efficiency, this conversation unpacks the science behind smarter fertilization. Improving how we set nitrogen fertilizer rates for rainfed corn is a key focus. Discover why the MRTN model matters more than ever, and how shifting mindsets and better data can boost yields and environmental outcomes. Tune in now on all major platforms!

"The nitrogen that comes from soil mineralization is the first nitrogen the plant sees, and its role is underestimated."

Meet the guest:

Dr. Emerson Nafziger is Professor Emeritus of Crop Sciences at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, with degrees in agronomy from Ohio State, Purdue, and Illinois. His research has focused on nitrogen rate strategies and crop productivity. He co-developed the Maximum Return to Nitrogen (MRTN) model, which is widely used across the Midwest. His research spans N response trials, hybrid interactions, crop rotation effects, and yield stability.