WASHINGTON, D.C. - The full House Agriculture Committee began hearings Tuesday to discuss solutions available to help farmers and ranchers hit hard by the heavy rains, severe flooding and drought conditions.

Among those calling for the hearings was U.S. Rep. Bill Emerson, the second ranking Republican on the committee.

"The summer of 1993 could go down in history as one of the worst for Midwestern farmers, ranchers, and agriculture producers," said Emerson. "Parts of southern Missouri are experiencing the worst floods of memory, while other regions - the Bootheel in particular - are on the verge of drought.

"Hopefully these hearings will help focus more attention on the problems facing producers and their operations, better assess the damage to this year's crop, and begin the process of providing them much needed relief."

In testimony before the committee, Emerson said the state of Missouri "is experiencing unprecedented flood waters that are submerging entire farm communities and ravaging surrounding crop lands, creating imminent economic disaster and billions of dollars in losses for thousands of residents and their local communities."

But Emerson added the worst is yet to come in southeastern Missouri, with flood waters still rising. He noted that most of the media attention thusfar has focused on flooding in the Upper Midwest, northern Missouri and St. Louis, but he said the devastation that will likely occur in the 8th district should not be overlooked.

Emerson told the panel: "presently, hundreds of hard working men, women and children are in their greatest hour of need and it is our duty and my desire to compassionately respond to that call."

Emerson said he hopes the agriculture committee will be able to use input gathered from the hearings to coordinate efforts with Agriculture Secretary Mike Espy and other administration officials to expedite the relief process.

One of the problems in determining exactly what kind of relief that will be needed is that it is too soon to know the extent of the damage.

Richard Rominger, deputy secretary of agriculture, was the first to testify before the committee Wednesday. Later, affected producers and agribusiness representatives are expected to appear before the committee to discuss their individual disaster situations.