Missouri is suing the U.S. agriculture secretary for not extending the deadline for some farmers to file reports needed for crop insurance.
Attorney General Chris Koster filed the lawsuit Wednesday against Secretary Tom Vilsack in federal court asking for a deadline extension.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture says by law it can't give farmers more time but will help them maintain coverage.
At issue is insurance used if weather or other conditions hurt crops. Farmers must file reports with the federal department to apply for the insurance.
But Koster says heavy rains and flooding delayed planting by farmers in northwest Missouri. That caused some to miss the July 15 filing deadline.
Koster sued after Missouri received notification Wednesday from the agency denying state farmers an extension.
