Farmers schedule emergency meetings to discuss drought concerns

WAUKESHA -- Area farmers have scheduled emergency drought meetings for Monday, July 23rd, as dry conditions continue. On Thursday, July 19th, it was announced Wisconsin's drought level has been elevated to "severe drought," the fourth level on a five-level scale. This weekend, Gov. Scott Walker toured drought damaged areas, and talked with farmers. Many of these farmers are holding out hope Wisconsin will receive federal disaster assistance.

There was more than enough corn-on-the-cob to go around at the Waukesha County Fair, though it came from Southern Illinois.

"That's about the only corn I'm seeing right now," farmer Bob Stigler said.

Stigler knows the pain of the drought well. Stigler has no irrigation system, so though the drought declaration for all 72 Wisconsin counties allows farmers easier access to bodies of water for irrigation purposes, it doesn't help Stigler much.

Stigler says he's lost about half of his corn crop, and he's hopeful government aid will help ease the pain.

"I never remember a year where we didn't have rain, not for two months straight. At least the government is aware of it and they want to help. I think they're concerned," Stigler said.

On Monday, farmers will lead a discussion, looking for solutions for saving their crops.

"I think it's good we all talk and we all communicate and find out the needs and things we have to have," Stigler said.

The meetings will be held in Janesville and Waunakee.

Related stories: