By AP/KWMU
Jefferson City, MO – Missouri Governor Bob Holden has asked the federal government to assess drought conditions in 36 counties. It's a first step in eventually seeking federal disaster aid.
The governor's office says corn in parts of northern and western Missouri is so damaged by drought that there is little chance of recovery.
Scorched pastures have also forced some livestock farmers to begin feeding winter supplies of hay to their animals, or to sell them prematurely.
Holden requested damage assessment reports from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for the following counties:
Andrew
Atchison
Barton
Bates
Benton
Buchanan
Caldwell
Carroll
Cass
Cedar
Chariton
Clay
Clinton
Daviess
DeKalb
Gentry
Grundy
Harrison
Henry
Holt
Jackson
Johnson
Lafayette
Linn
Livingston
Mercer
Nodaway
Pettis
Platte
Putnam
Ray
St. Clair
Saline
Sullivan
Vernon
Worth.