Drought qualifies Morris County as a disaster area

Story by Craig Gold (Contact)

11:51 p.m. Tuesday, April 3, 2007

Morris County has been declared a disaster area. The county was hit by flooding rains and a tornado this past weekend.

But that is not the reason for the disaster declaration.

The USDA office in Council Grove says drought conditions are to blame, causing farmers and ranchers big losses last year.

Some ranchers were forced to sell their cattle because they ran out of hay and water.

Ranchers Kent and Rose Bacon of Council Grove said with limited supplies of water last year they put the herd ahead of themselves.

"We got to the point where you prioritize," rancher Rose Bacon said. "First you water the cattle, then you shower and then hopefully there's enough left to wash clothes later in the evening."

The USDA office in Council Grove says financial aid will be made available to the hardest hit ranchers and farmers.


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