Robin Carnahan: “I strongly support this relief package for family farmers needing immediate disaster relief in order to stay on their…”

“I strongly support this relief package for family farmers needing immediate disaster relief in order to stay on their land. Let me cite a few numbers to underscore the extent of the problem in Missouri. Just yesterday, the USDA rated 58 percent of Missouri's pastureland in poor or very poor condition; 53 percent of Missouri's corn is in poor or very poor condition; 49 percent of Missouri's soybeans are in poor or very poor condition. Though any additional rainfall would be welcomed, it will only be of limited assistance. Much of the damage I cited is on land that was hit last year by an army worm infestation of record proportion. Many farmers are facing 2 years of devastation because of these unprecedented natural disasters. This legislation would provide real relief for crop and livestock losses over the past 2 years. Much of the damage to the crops and pastureland is irreversible. Just as we help the victims of floods, wildfires, and other natural disasters, so we must come to the aid of farmers victimized by Mother Nature.”