Gov. Parson, state officials to talk about joint efforts fighting severe drought conditions

Gov. Mike Parson is holding a press conference in the Governor’s Office Monday morning to talk about the severe drought conditions affecting the state and how officials plan to combat the drought.

Parson will be joined by Chris Chinn, director of the Department of Agriculture; Carol Comer, director of the Department of Natural Resources; and Sara Parker, director of the Department of Conservation.

According to the United States Drought Monitor map, 98 percent of Missouri is experiencing a drought.

The monitor also showed that more than half of the state experienced a level 2 drought, or severe conditions, and 25 percent of the state experienced a level 3 drought, or extreme conditions.

So far, the drought has affected cattle sales, corn and soybean production, as well as pastures, according to the monitor’s summary.

Parson might also talk about the state and federal resources available for farmers affected by the drought.

The conference starts at 9 a.m.