A University of Missouri Extension Specialist says the Bootheel is getting close to having a drought. Agronomist Sam Atwell has told the Cape Girardeau Southeast Missourian that Southeast Missouri is nine to ten inches of rainfall behind its average. About half of that deficit built up last month. And little rain has fallen in South-East Missouri this month. He says farmers are irrigating sooner than usual, and more than normal for corn and rice.
