Governor to visit southern Illinois farm to address drought

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Associated Press

Story Created: Mon Jul 16, 2012 4:49 AM

Story Updated: Mon Jul 16, 2012 4:50 AM

WALTONVILLE, Ill. (AP) - Gov. Pat Quinn and farm officials say they'll have details on a plan to address Illinois' drought.
   
Quinn plans visit the southern Illinois farm of James Laird on Monday.
   
The Illinois Farm Bureau says that so far, it's the six driest year on record. The average precipitation of the first half of the year was 12.6 inches. Much of Illinois' corn and soybean crop is suffering. Farm officials say southern Illinois is experiencing the worst of it.
   
Quinn is expected to detail whatever government relief may be available to drought-affected growers and ranchers.
   
Drought is affecting much of the Midwest, where almost a third of the nation's corn crop has been damaged by heat and drought so severe that some farmers have cut down crops midway through the growing season.

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