COLUMBIA, MO -- Thirty one Missouri counties are among almost 600 counties across the United States that have been designated by the USDA as primary natural disaster areas because of the drought and heat.

Farm operators in Missouri counties are eligible for low-interest emergency loans from the USDA.

Ron Plain, an Ag Economist at the University of Missouri-Columbia said farmers need to have a plan.

"Low interest rate loans can be very appealing but the farmer needs to have a plan on what they're going to do with that money," Plain said. "Something that will generate saving and income so they can repay the loan. That loan needs to work for you to help cut costs or improve efficiency, otherwise borrowing that money is not going to make you better off."

Plain says buying feed to maintain cattle herds would be a good decision, as cattle prices are likely to be at record highs again this year.

To learn more about low-rate emergency loans, contact your local Farm Service Agency office, or click on the link HERE.