The Missouri Department of Agriculture is asking residents to report livestock that are missing or found following historic flooding in southeast Missouri.
State Agriculture Director Chris Chinn explained, “There’s a lot of livestock that are missing off of farms. So we have a call number at the Department of Agriculture that we’re asking people if you find livestock that are not yours, whether they’re deceased or alive, we want them to report that to us at the Department of Agriculture. You can also go to agriculture.mo.gov and we have an online form that you can fill out as well.”
Director Chinn told Missourinet that farmers did not have enough time to move their livestock before torrential rains swept them away:
“We’re just trying to reunite farmers with their livestock. It’s A devastating time for the agriculture community in those areas, and we want to do everything that we can to be a resource to help assist them in finding their livestock.”
The department wants to hear from farmers who have lost or recovered their livestock, and suggests that they contact their local USDA Farm Service Agency office about possible assistance. State Director Chris Chinn says the state and the U-S-D-A want to help.
“It’s a huge loss when your home is flooded, but when your farm is flooded as well and you lose all of your income, it’s devastating,” she said.