Fake Meat Labeling News Graphic

Missouri Attorney General files letter with USDA opposing change in proposed fake meat labeling standards

Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt earlier this month filed a comment letter during the comment period of a proposed USDA rule change that would affect the labeling of “fake meat” products. The Missouri Attorney General’s Office has been successful in defending a Missouri state statute that prohibits the labeling of “fake meat” products as meat. […]

American Foods Group website

Warren County, Missouri selected as location for planned beef processing facility creating 1300 jobs and $1 billion in economic impact

Warren County has been selected by American Foods Group as the planned location for a new state-of-the-art beef processing facility, pending final approval. Once established, the facility would create more than 1,300 new jobs and generate $1 billion in economic impact in the state of Missouri.  “Missouri is able to compete for projects of this […]

Cattle or Cows Behind a Fence in a Field

Agriculture Secretary: Biden Administration ‘protecting animal agriculture’ with methane reduction plans

(Missouri Independent) – Reducing the number of livestock will not be a priority for the Biden administration as it seeks to drastically cut methane emissions to stem climate change, according to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack. Instead, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s “climate-smart” initiatives will focus on new types of animal feed and manure […]

USDA Logo

USDA awards funds to 13 organizations to create livable communities attracting people and jobs

U.S. Department of Agriculture Under Secretary for Rural Development Xochitl Torres Small announced that USDA is awarding $3 million in cooperative agreements to 13 organizations. These organizations will provide technical assistance to people living in rural and Tribal communities so they can apply for and access government resources for projects that will attract jobs and […]

2021 Crop Management Conference

Crop Management Conference returns November 30 through December 1

The University of Missouri Crop Management Conference returns as an in-person event Nov. 30-Dec. 1, 2021, at the Stoney Creek Hotel in Columbia. MU Extension specialists in weeds, pests, and plant diseases, nutrient management, economics, cover crops, drainage, and wildlife management will speak. Other presenters include a climatologist from Purdue University and an industry representative […]

Farm Service Agency FSA

2021 Farm Service Agency county committee elections underway

The U.S. Department of Agriculture will begin mailing ballots this week for the Farm Service Agency county and urban county committee elections to all eligible agricultural producers and private landowners across the country. Elections are occurring in certain Local Administrative Areas (LAA) for these committee members who make important decisions about how federal farm programs […]

Tractor pulling Nitrogen tank

Uncertain nitrogen prices and supplies may affect application timing

Rising nitrogen prices, uncertain spring supplies, and unseasonably high temperatures may push farmers to apply nitrogen outside of their normal application windows, says University of Missouri Extension nutrient management specialist John Lory. “We may be in unprecedented times with respect to nitrogen management decisions for the 2022 growing season,” says Lory. “Nitrogen pressures for 2022 […]

Piglets in barn (Photo courtesy Diego San)

Smithfield withdraws request for CAFO permits environmentalists criticized as too lax

(Missouri Independent) – The global meat producer operating some of Missouri’s largest industrial hog operations has withdrawn requests to convert 10 of its permits to what environmental groups say would be more lenient ones. Smithfield Foods Inc., which has a history of environmental violations in Missouri, operates some of the largest concentrated animal feeding operations, or CAFOs, in the […]

Network cables (RJ45 ) connected to a switch

USDA to make up to $1.15 billion available to help people living in rural communities access high-speed internet

U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced a significant expansion of access to high-speed internet, health care, and educational services for millions of rural Americans nationwide. Today’s announcement continues to move forward President Biden’s Build Back Better Agenda by prioritizing economic growth in rural America and investing in the backbone of our country […]

NCRS Website

NRCS announces november 19, 2021 application deadline for financial assistance

The Missouri USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service announced November 19, 2021, as the cut-off date to apply for the Fiscal Year 2022 funds through the Environmental Quality Incentive Program. EQIP allows farmers, ranchers, forestland managers, and landowners an opportunity to conserve natural resources by making available financial assistance to improve soil, water, air, plants, animals, […]

Drought Resources news graphic

Online tool now available for drought-stricken farms to estimate compensation for feed transportation costs

An online tool is now available to help ranchers document and estimate payments to cover feed transportation costs caused by drought, which are now covered by the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-raised Fish Program (ELAP). The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) updated the program this year to include feed transportation costs as well as […]

Grants News Graphic

USDA invests more than $1 million to support rural Missouri businesses

U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Missouri Acting State Director D Clark Thomas announced 19 organizations statewide are being awarded a total of $1,006,698 to create jobs and increase economic opportunities throughout the state. “USDA Rural Development has worked tirelessly to support rural Missouri businesses throughout the pandemic,” said Thomas. “The Rural Business Development Grants […]