Nearly entire state suffers from drought

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Nearly the entire state is suffering from a drought, Gov. Matt Blunt said Thursday.

Blunt said 106 of Missouri's 114 counties have been without significant rainfall and are affected by the drought. He asked the Missouri Farm Service Agency to conduct county reports, which will show the extent of the drought damage and could make farmers eligible for federal financial assistance.

The only counties not in an alert or advisory phase are Barton, Cass, Clay, Jackson, Jasper, McDonald, Newton and Platte.

-- all in western Missouri.

"The effects of the drought conditions are impacting Missouri's agriculture producers," Blunt said. "It is important to the industry that we do everything we can to assess the situation and provide aid where needed."

Missouri's Drought Assessment Committee has been monitoring conditions. The only counties not in either a drought alert or advisory phase are Barton, Cass, Clay, Jackson, Jasper, McDonald, Newton and Platte -- all in western Missouri.