CAFO Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation

Missouri House approves SB-391 that prevents counties from passing health ordinances aimed at CAFOs

The Missouri House of Representatives has given final approval to Senate Bill 391, legislation that would prevent counties from passing health ordinances aimed at large agricultural operations. The House voted 103-44 to approve the bill, which would prevent county health boards or county commissioners from passing standards stricter than state law. The Missouri House of […]

Overhead view of CAFO

Audio: Missouri House approves CAFO health ordinance legislation

The Missouri House has given final approval to legislation that would prevent counties from passing health ordinances aimed at large agricultural operations.     The House voted 103-44 today to approve the bill from Pleasant Hill State Representative Michael Haffner, which would prevent county health boards and/or county commissioners from passing standards that are stricter […]

Smithfield Food Website

Smithfield Foods & RAE launch joint venture to create renewable energy, wildlife habitat

Smithfield Foods, Inc. and Roeslein Alternative Energy (RAE) have formed a joint venture called Monarch Bioenergy to produce renewable natural gas (RNG) across Smithfield’s hog farms in Missouri. This partnership converts manure collected from Smithfield farms into RNG, while simultaneously delivering ecological services and developing wildlife habitat. Once complete, all Smithfield company-owned finishing farms in […]

Typical pen style CAFO ( Photo by Darrell Hoemann - Investigate Midwest)

Audio: Controversial agriculture bill could resurface today in Missouri Senate

A controversial agriculture bill could resurface today in the Missouri Senate.     The state Senate could debate today whether to ban Missouri counties from enforcing rules stricter than state regulations required for large animal feeding operations. Jefferson City Republican Mike Bernskoetter’s bill would bar counties from limiting where the farming operations, known as CAFOs, […]

Governor Mike Parson

Governor Parson requests Army Corps of Engineers manage Missouri River for flood control, navigation

Governor Mike Parson has submitted written testimony to the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works.  The committee field hearing in Glenwood, Iowa, will focus on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers river management following devastating flooding in the region. Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley will participate. Witnesses will include officials from the Army Corps as well […]

Kids posing for photo

Missouri foster kids flourish in families

Despite a nationwide increase in the number of kids in foster care, Missouri has made inroads in placing more kids who would otherwise remain in institutional or group settings with families.  A nationwide Annie E. Casey Foundation report looked at foster-child placement data over a 10-year period. Missouri reported about 12,000 kids in the child welfare system, […]

No More Trash

Annual Missouri “No MOre Trash Bash” starts April 15

Missouri’s annual No MOre Trash! Bash will be held April 15 through May 15. The Trash Bash is sponsored by the Missouri Department of Conservation and Missouri Department of Transportation as part of an ongoing No MOre Trash! statewide anti-litter campaign. “Litter is unattractive, costly and harms the environment,” said Stacy Armstrong, MoDOT’s No MOre […]

Flood of 1993

Audio: Governor Parson signs executive order to ease requirements during and after Missouri flooding

The governor has signed an executive order to ease requirements during and after Missouri flooding.     Governor Mike Parson has signed an executive order giving Missouri Department of Natural Resources Director Carol Comer some flexibility in easing requirements. Comer’s discretionary authority to temporarily or suspend environmental rules or regulations currently under her purview will […]

Grain Belt Express

Missouri Public Service Commission grants Grain Belt Express permission to build transmission line

The Missouri Public Service Commission has approved a request filed by Grain Belt Express Clean Line LLC (Grain Belt) which sought Commission authority and a certificate of convenience and necessity to construct, own, operate, control, manage and maintain a high voltage, direct current transmission line, and associated facilities within eight Missouri counties (Buchanan, Clinton, Caldwell, […]

Over 260 students recognized at North Central Missouri College Foundation Scholarship Reception

The 2018-2019 North Central Missouri College Scholarship Reception was held on Wednesday, March 13, 2019, at the Ketcham Community Center.  Over 260 students were recognized for receiving an NCMC Foundation, Athletic, SSS or other institutional scholarship.  The event was hosted by the North Central Missouri College Foundation and sponsored by US Bank and PDQ Cleaning.  […]

Natural Resources Conservation Service or NRCS

NRCS seeks comments regarding Little Otter Creek Reservoir in Caldwell County

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service has released a draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for the Little Otter Creek Watershed Plan. The plan involves the construction of a proposed multipurpose reservoir in Caldwell County. This supplement addresses changes since NRCS prepared the Little Otter Creek Watershed Plan and Environmental Impact Statement in 2003. The supplement […]

Cows grazing in pasture

Use sound grazing practices to reduce overgrazing and weeds

Weed problems may explode this year thanks to the drought of 2018 and residual problems associated with overgrazing in parched pastures, says University of Missouri Extension agronomist Valerie Tate. Last year’s extreme weather conditions created a forage shortage. As a result, many pastures were overgrazed.  When pastures are overgrazed, there is little green leaf material […]