To help prevent the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), the Missouri Department of Agriculture has suspended all domestic waterfowl and waterfowl egg auctions, shows, and swap meets through the end of May. Federal officials have confirmed cases of HPAI in Stoddard, Bates, Jasper, and Lawrence Counties. HPAI is known to be deadly for […]
Tag: culture
Trenton City Council and Mayor to hold meeting discussing the purchase of police and fire equipment; public is invited
The Trenton City Council and Mayor will discuss the purchase of police and fire equipment utilizing the United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development Community Facility Direct Program. The special informational meeting will be held at Trenton City Hall on March 28th at 7 pm. The public is invited to attend and share comments regarding […]
Congress reaches deal on massive spending package with billions for COVID aid, Ukraine
(Missouri Independent) – Democrats and Republicans forged an agreement early Wednesday on a spending package that will fund the government for the next eight months, as well as provide billions in emergency funding for COVID-19 and the war in Ukraine. The announcement means Congress should be able to avert a government shutdown when a spending […]
Missouri fines CAFO, owned by Smithfield Foods, $18,000 for polluting streams with 300,000 gallons of waste
(Missouri Independent) – Regulators ordered an industrial hog farm in northern Missouri to pay more than $18,000 for spilling 300,000 gallons of manure into miles of nearby streams. An advocate for environmentally responsible agriculture called that “pathetic,” noting the fine amounted to less than $0.04 per gallon of waste spilled. “You’re talking about a multi-billion […]
Governor Parson to embark on trade mission to United Kingdom and Ireland promoting Missouri
From March 11 – 19, Governor Mike Parson and First Lady Teresa Parson will travel to the United Kingdom and Ireland for their third international Trade Mission. The U.K. and Ireland are key trade partners for Missouri, with nearly $354 million and more than $130 million in exports in 2021, respectively. Consistent with Governor Parson’s […]
Avian flu discovered in commercial turkey flock in Iowa
Highly pathogenic avian flu has been detected in a commercial turkey flock in northwest Iowa. This is the second case of the H5N1 virus being found in the state and the first time a commercial facility has tested positive for the disease since 2015. The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship has established a […]
Highly pathogenic avian influenza confirmed in Missouri commercial poultry flock
Federal officials have confirmed highly pathogenic avian influenza in a commercial chicken flock in Stoddard County, Missouri. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Veterinary Services Laboratory confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic influenza (HPAI) in the commercial broiler chicken flock. Samples were delivered to the Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory at the University of Missouri for […]
House grants initial approval to bill that would allow prison nurseries in Missouri
(Missouri Independent) -The House gave initial approval Wednesday to a bill that would allow newborns to remain with their incarcerated mothers for the first year and a half of the baby’s life. The bill would permit the Missouri Department of Corrections to establish nurseries within the state’s correctional facilities, allowing children born to incarcerated women to […]
USDA announces March 2022 lending rates for agricultural producers
The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced loan interest rates for March 2022, which are effective March 1, 2022. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) loans provide important access to capital to help agricultural producers start or expand their farming operation, purchase equipment, and storage structures, or meet cash flow needs. Operating, Ownership, and Emergency Loans FSA […]
Missouri Agricultural and Small Business Development Authority opens grant opportunities for Missouri producers
The Missouri Agricultural and Small Business Development Authority (MASBDA) announces the opening of two funding opportunities, while also announcing recipients of the most recent grant cycle. MASBDA is accepting applications for two programs that add value to Missouri agricultural products and aid the economy of a rural community. The Missouri Value-Added Agriculture Grant can be used for […]
Experimental archaeologist gives presentation at Trenton Rotary Club
An experimental archaeological hobbyist spoke at the Trenton Rotary Club meeting on February 24, 2022, about primitive fire building. Experimental archaeology is a field of study which attempts to generate and test archaeological hypotheses, usually by replicating or approximating the feasibility of ancient cultures performing various tasks or feats. It employs several methods, techniques, analyses, and […]
Vilsack: Fertilizer prices are biggest worry for farmers after Russian invasion
(Missouri Independent) – The Russian invasion of Ukraine this week might drive up the costs of farm fertilizers globally — which nearly quadrupled last year in price in the United States and remain high — and presents an opportunity for unscrupulous companies to artificially inflate those prices further, according to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack. “That’s […]
USDA extends deadline for spot market hog pandemic program
Hog producers who sold hogs through a spot market sale during the COVID-19 pandemic now have until April 15, 2022, to submit their applications for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Spot Market Hog Pandemic Program. SMHPP, which is part of USDA’s Pandemic Assistance for Producers initiative, originally had a deadline to submit applications by Feb. 25, […]
Governor Parson announces new Project Eagle Apprenticeship Program
In coordination with the Missouri National Guard and the Missouri Department of Higher Education & Workforce Development, Governor Mike Parson announced the establishment of the Project Eagle Apprenticeship Program, to qualify military training and experience towards a federally-recognized apprenticeship certification. “We are so proud of our military men and women here in Missouri. This program, […]
North Central Missouri College Board of Trustees hear reports, work continues on former US Bank building
Multiple reports were given at the North Central Missouri College Board of Trustees meeting February 22nd. Vice President of Student Affairs Doctor Kristen Alley reported NCMC’s graduation rate is 42%, and the withdrawal rate is 39%. NCMC is the only community college in the state to have a higher graduation rate than a withdrawal rate. […]
Disability advocates say to focus on accessibility in voting reforms
Experts say Missouri ranks low among states when it comes to steps it has taken to improve accessibility in voting. Denise Lieberman, director and general counsel of the Missouri Voter Protection Coalition, which has a disability-rights committee, said people with disabilities face barriers at all stages of the voting process, from registering to vote to […]
“Salute to Agriculture” luncheon postponed
The Salute to Agriculture Luncheon to be held near Chillicothe on February 18th was postponed due to school being canceled for Chillicothe on February 18th. The event is hosted by the Chillicothe FFA Chapter and Chillicothe Area Chamber of Commerce. The luncheon has been rescheduled for February 21st from 11:30 to 1 o’clock. It will […]
Missouri 4-H and University of Missouri Extension launch new crop event
Missouri 4-H youths and volunteers can learn about common Missouri crops, insects, diseases, disorders, weeds, and pesticide safety through a new 4-H Crop Scouting program. The inaugural event is July 19 at the University of Missouri’s Bradford Farm, about 8 miles east of Columbia. “Missouri 4-H is very excited to be bringing state-level opportunities to […]
Poultry virus confirmed in state bordering Missouri
Missouri poultry producers, both commercial and backyard flocks, are encouraged to review and tighten biosecurity protocols in light of the avian influenza virus confirmation in birds east of the Mississippi River. Highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 is known to be deadly for domesticated chickens and turkeys. Avian influenza was confirmed in a commercial chicken operation […]