Rain buoys farmers but muddies waters

Getting about three inches of rain in the last week has raised some cautious optimism in local farmers and ranchers.

"I think they're going to cut a crop, which is a good feeling," said Elizabeth Woods, who farms near Joplin with her husband, Greg.

Richard Jackson, who has a cattle and grain operation near Rudyard, agreed.

"(The rain) was really good for agriculture. I would say, give us another three weeks and we'll need something on top again. This won't get us through for a real good year, but it goes a long ways toward it," he said.

The National Weather Service reported 3.49 inches of rain...