The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) reminds dairy producers that the deadline to enroll in the Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program for 2019 is Sept. 20, 2019. Authorized by the 2018 Farm Bill, the program offers reasonably priced protection to dairy producers when the difference between the all-milk price and the average feed cost […]
Tag: Department of Agriculture
Audio: Missouri’s Ag Director says states levee system and trade remain top priorities
Missouri’s Ag Director was part of a group of ag leaders that met with Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue at the Farm Progress Show. Chris Chinn says it was important to be able to discuss the issues facing the state’s ag industry. “We talked about flooding— we had 1.2 million acres underwater this year and almost […]
Dozens of Missouri legislative bills become law today
Historically, most of the bills passed during the Missouri Legislature’s regular session become law on August 28. Of the roughly 2,100 measures filed this year, 144 proposals made it across the finish line. Dozens of proposals become official today. Here is a snapshot of 10 key measures taking effect: Education funding In the fiscal year […]
Farm Service Agency expands payment options
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency is expanding its payment options to now accept debit cards and Automated Clearing House debit. These paperless payment options enable FSA customers to pay farm loan payments, measurement service fees, farm program debt repayments, and administrative service fees, as well as to purchase aerial maps. “Our customers have […]
Princeton Board of Education approves tax rate, rolls back debt service levy
The Princeton R-5 Board of Education approved the proposed tax rate as presented at a hearing Monday evening. The tax levy for 2019-2020 was set at $5.0974 cents per $100 of assessed valuation, which is an increase of two point two seven cents from last year. The 2019-2020 tax levy includes $3.96.42 cents for the […]
Former Chillicothe school board member receives 10-years in prison for fraud scheme
A prominent northwest Missouri businessman and former school board member will spend the next ten years in federal prison for a $142 million grain fraud scheme, after being sentenced Friday afternoon in U.S. District Court in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anthony Morfitt tells Missourinet that Randy Constant was sentenced on Friday to 122 […]
Missouri State Fair Sale of Champions nets $156,300
The Missouri State Fair celebrated Youth in Agriculture Day, sponsored by the Missouri Department of Agriculture, Saturday, Aug. 17. The annual Sale of Champions highlighted the day, raising $156,300! The Grand Champion Steer was exhibited by Gage Baker of Fulton. His 1325-pound Crossbred steer sold for a record price of $39,500 and was purchased by […]
SBA economic injury disaster loans available to Missouri small businesses
Small nonfarm businesses in 100 Missouri counties and neighboring counties in Arkansas, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, and Oklahoma are now eligible to apply for low‑interest federal disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration, announced Director Tanya N. Garfield of SBA’s Disaster Field Operations Center-West. These loans offset economic losses because of reduced revenues caused by […]
Missouri State Fair officials announce Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion market poultry
Stephen Thomson, son of Leanna Thomson, is the exhibitor of the 2019 Grand Champion Market Pen of Chickens at the Missouri State Fair. Thomson is from Salisbury and is a member of the Chariton Shining Stars 4-H Club. Thomson’s prize-winning Pen of Chickens weighed an average of 8.1 lbs. The Reserve Grand Champion Market Pen […]
Focus on Missouri Agriculture Photo Contest winners announced
A captivating photo featuring the picturesque landscape of rural Missouri is the Best in Show for the 2019 Focus on Missouri Agriculture Photo Contest, hosted by the Missouri Department of Agriculture. The photograph, submitted by Wanda Moore of Cabool, Mo., was chosen from more than 1,200 photos submitted by amateur photographers from across Missouri. “The […]
Rules allow corn, soybean cover crops to provide fall forage for cattle herds
Corn and soybean crops planted on “prevented acres” not planted last spring may provide corn and soybean forage for cattle this fall. With a wet spring, many farmers failed to make quality hay for cow herds. Now, cover crops needed on bare crop ground may produce quality forage. Earlier regulations on unplanted cropland restricted using […]
USDA announces $16M funding opportunity to support socially disadvantaged and veteran farmers and ranchers
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced up to $16 million in available funding to help socially disadvantaged and veteran farmers and ranchers own and operate successful farms. Funding is made through the USDA’s Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers Program (also known as the 2501 Program). […]
USDA to hold public meeting to discuss flood recovery assistance
The United States Department of Agriculture and Missouri state partner agencies will hold public meetings to discuss flood recovery assistance available for agricultural producers. One of the meetings will be held at the Goppert Community Building at 201 South Pine Street in Norborne the morning of August 13th from 9 o’clock to 11:45. The USDA […]
USDA to host flood recovery assistance meetings
The U.S. Dept. of Agriculture and Missouri state partner agencies are holding four public meetings, July 23, 24, 25 and August 13th to discuss flood recovery assistance available for agricultural producers. The meetings will take place: Tuesday, July 23, 1:30-4:15 p.m. at the URSA Farmers Coop, 307 Elm Street, Canton. Wednesday, July 24, 9:00-11:45 a.m. […]
USDA extends deadline to report spring-seeded crops in Missouri
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is extending the deadline to file crop acreage reports for agricultural producers in Missouri impacted by flooding and heavy moisture. The new July 22 deadline applies to reporting spring-seeded crops to USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) county offices and federal crop insurance agents. “Agriculture operations throughout the state have […]
United States makes first sale of rice to China
GUANGZHOU, CHINA – After decades chasing the enormous China market, a sale of U.S. rice was confirmed here last week. “This sale marks a turning point for the U.S. rice industry and its relationship with China as it is the first ever of U.S. rice to a private importer and is truly historic as it […]
Parkville, Topeka men indicted for $346 million fraud scheme
Two men have been indicted by a federal grand jury for a conspiracy in which they fraudulently profited from hundreds of millions of dollars in federal government contracts they were not entitled to receive, which were set aside for small businesses owned and controlled by service-disabled veterans, and minorities. Patrick Michael Dingle, 48, of Parkville, […]
Gallatin Board of Aldermen adopt revised employee handbook, approve resolution
The Gallatin Board of Aldermen approved a resolution Monday evening adopting the revised employee handbook and safety manual. Police Chief Mark Richards reported police officers have issued summons for code violations not corrected after given notice. He said other residents were contacted regarding grass, but the weather has slowed mowing. Public Works Director Mark Morey […]
Missouri requests second federal disaster declaration this year in response to flooding and tornadoes
Acting on behalf of Governor Mike Parson, Lt. Governor Mike Kehoe requested that President Donald Trump issue a major disaster declaration to assist residents and businesses in 41 Missouri counties that have been hard hit by flooding, tornadoes, and severe storms beginning on April 29 and continuing throughout the spring. “Historic long-term flooding continues to devastate families, businesses, […]
NRCS announces funding to plant cover crops on flooded cropland acreage
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has $1 million available for Missouri landowners who apply by July 19 for assistance to plant cover crops on flooded cropland, State Conservationist J.R. Flores said. Flores said that only land in the 13 Missouri counties included in a Presidential Disaster Declaration is eligible. Those counties are Andrew, […]