(NORTHWEST Mo.) The drought in Missouri is far from over.
Drought maps show most of the state in moderate to severe conditions.
Area farmers hope that changes soon.
The harvest season has wrapped up, and many farmers are counting their blessings.
The summer's drought was a stressful time, but despite the trouble, some farmers made it out ok.
"As far as corn goes, it was a little below average, and the beans were right there in that average range," says Tevan Markt, a farmer in Oregon, MO.
For the Markt family, they only made it that far with some timely rains along the way.
Right now, they still need a lot of water.
Soil could certainly use some help.
"Probably 10 inches behind on our moisture for the year, and the subsoil is just nonexistent basically. It's going to be tough if we don't get any snow," says Markt.
Crop farmers are won't see consequences again until next season, but some cattle farmers are still sweating right now.
"We did have one really good rain, and that has carried us a little further with some pluses, but you can see around, it's still pretty dry," says Sheri Spader, a farmer who raises cattle in Rosendale, MO.
Spader has several ponds for her cattle in Rosendale, but with so little rain this year and the cows drinking, water has nearly dried up.
Many ponds are nearly empty.
She was denied assistance from the state, so now, Spader is just hoping for the best.
"Great spring rains will restore us, and one thing about the weather. whether it's in Missouri or elsewhere, it's constantly changing," Spader says.
With most of the state in moderate to severe drought conditions, hoping is all farmers can do.
"I'm just going to trust God that he sends some rain and that we'll be in good shape come spring," Markt says.
Farmers say in their line of business, they have to be optimists.
According to climate experts in Missouri, the state is still up to ten inches of precipitation below the yearly average.
Soil moisture conditions are still bad as well, with November being abnormally warm and dry.
Drought maps show most of the state in moderate to severe conditions.
Area farmers hope that changes soon.
The harvest season has wrapped up, and many farmers are counting their blessings.
The summer's drought was a stressful time, but despite the trouble, some farmers made it out ok.
"As far as corn goes, it was a little below average, and the beans were right there in that average range," says Tevan Markt, a farmer in Oregon, MO.
For the Markt family, they only made it that far with some timely rains along the way.
Right now, they still need a lot of water.
Soil could certainly use some help.
"Probably 10 inches behind on our moisture for the year, and the subsoil is just nonexistent basically. It's going to be tough if we don't get any snow," says Markt.
Crop farmers are won't see consequences again until next season, but some cattle farmers are still sweating right now.
"We did have one really good rain, and that has carried us a little further with some pluses, but you can see around, it's still pretty dry," says Sheri Spader, a farmer who raises cattle in Rosendale, MO.
Spader has several ponds for her cattle in Rosendale, but with so little rain this year and the cows drinking, water has nearly dried up.
Many ponds are nearly empty.
She was denied assistance from the state, so now, Spader is just hoping for the best.
"Great spring rains will restore us, and one thing about the weather. whether it's in Missouri or elsewhere, it's constantly changing," Spader says.
With most of the state in moderate to severe drought conditions, hoping is all farmers can do.
"I'm just going to trust God that he sends some rain and that we'll be in good shape come spring," Markt says.
Farmers say in their line of business, they have to be optimists.
According to climate experts in Missouri, the state is still up to ten inches of precipitation below the yearly average.
Soil moisture conditions are still bad as well, with November being abnormally warm and dry.
