Southeast students getting hands on experience with drought - KFVS12 News & Weather Cape Girardeau, Carbondale, Poplar Bluff

Students at Southeast Missouri State University are getting hands-on experience with the ongoing drought.

Currently, there are 240 students enrolled in the agriculture program at the university.

Professors say students are learning firsthand how to be efficient in extreme circumstances.

They've also learned that less rain equals more work.

"With the drought, things that you normally do on a weekly or monthly basis are things you have to do on a daily basis," said Professor Julie Weathers. 

Julie Weathers is a professor in the Agriculture Department at Southeast Missouri State University. She says normally students move cattle every three to five days, but things changed due to the drought. 

"This summer we were moving every single day, sometimes twice a day," said Weathers. 

One of those movers is Lora Tindall. 

"I think the most important thing is just to be more efficient," said Tindall. " I think that's the key." 

That's something her teachers have been stressing. 

We were obviously trying to make it more efficient," said Weathers. "Trying to get more out of the grass." 

Like farmers who have made a career of it, students are proud of what they accomplished during this continued drought. 

"A sense of accomplishment here," said Tindall. "We are still doing okay with our crops and our calves. So I definitely think we are taking pride out here." 

And it did not come easy.

"We were literally out here at 6 a.m. and left at dark," said Tindall. "It just feels like the hard work definitely pays off." 

And that's a lesson the books can't teach.

Copyright 2012 KFVS. All rights reserved.

Copyright 2012 KFVS. All rights reserved.