Pond surrounded by trees

Audio: Missouri farm and environmental groups clash over Trump administration’s rollback of clean water protections

The Trump administration announced plans Tuesday to roll back Obama-era rules which placed federal regulations on creek beds and ponds that aren’t directly connected to larger bodies of water. Eric Bohl (Bowl) with the Missouri Farm Bureau says the rules are a legal overreach because creek beds and ponds aren’t navigable.     Eric Bohl […]

Missouri Department of Agriculture

Missouri Department of Agriculture accepting nominations for annual awards through December 7th

The Missouri Department of Agriculture is now accepting nominations for the Missouri Agriculture Awards. As part of the Missouri Governor’s Conference on Agriculture in January, the Missouri Agriculture Awards will honor six individuals that strive to innovate their farm or ranch, give back to their communities, commit to land stewardship or stand as a great example […]

Dicamba

Missouri Department of Agriculture issues statement on Dicamba products for the 2019 growing season

the Missouri Department of Agriculture announced it will not pursue Special Local Needs (24c) labels for the use of Engenia, FeXapan, and XtendiMax for the 2019 growing season. This announcement follows the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) decision to extend the registration of these three Dicamba products for another two years with additional safeguards. The Missouri […]

Pheasants and Quail Forever

Pheasants and Quail Forever encouraging farmers and ranchers to consider pollinator habitat

With a November 16 deadline approaching, Pheasants and Quail Forever is encouraging farmers and ranchers to consider utilizing a federal program that provides financial and technical assistance to establish habitat that benefits Monarch butterflies and other wildlife. Jake Swafford, Coordinating Wildlife Biologist, said the Monarch Initiative administered by the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) […]

Smithfield Food Website

Smithfield Foods announces investment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

Smithfield Foods, Inc. announces, through the nationwide expansion of Smithfield Renewables, innovative projects designed to help meet its goal to reduce the company’s greenhouse gas emissions 25 percent by 2025, which it set in concert with the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF). This month marks the one-year anniversary of Smithfield Renewables. As part of the expansion of Smithfield […]

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

MU Extension produces short videos on CAFOs

The University of Missouri Extension recently rolled out an educational program to give the public science-based information about Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations, otherwise known as CAFOs. The program includes a webpage and a series of five-minute videos, says Teng Lim, MU Extension agricultural engineer. “MU Extension faculty often respond to great, but similar, questions in rural […]

USDA Sign

USDA Issues farm safety net and conservation payments

 The United State Department of Agriculture continues to invest in rural America with more than $4.8 billion in payments being made, starting this month, to agricultural producers through the Farm Service Agency’s Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC), Price Loss Coverage (PLC) and Conservation Reserve (CRP) programs. Approximately $3 billion in payments will be made under the […]

Audio: Hartzler on committee negotiating Farm Bill differences, says SNAP worker requirements main roadblock

West-central Missouri Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler says there are still issues standing in the way of the farm bill reaching committee agreement. Hartzler, a Republican serving as a farm bill conference committee member, says the primary disagreement is the food stamp benefit work requirements favored by House Republicans.     The Farm Bill has expired, however, […]