Farmers react to more emergency funds

Cattle at Forck Farms are already being fed hay because of drought conditions and lack of rain this summer.
Cattle at Forck Farms are already being fed hay because of drought conditions and lack of rain this summer.

Missouri farmers received welcome drought assistance Thursday, and not just from the scattered showers that blew through Jefferson City in the afternoon.

"We're definitely in a trying time for the agriculture industry," said Jefferson City farmer Kelly Forck, who submitted his application for assistance on Tuesday, two days before Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon announced an additional $5 million in aid funds on Thursday.

Forck said he would use the aid, if granted, to develop additional water resources to help maintain current livestock numbers on his grain and livestock farm.