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 […]

For Rent Sign in Yard

Missouri suffers major shortage of affordable housing

Missouri’s low-income housing crunch shows no sign of abating, according to a new report from the National Low Income Housing Coalition.  Researchers found that there are almost 196,000 low-income households in Missouri, but there are just under 83,000 affordable rental homes. So about 113,000 are forced to pay way more than they can afford just to […]

City of Trenton Website

City council chooses Rapid Removal as Trenton’s trash disposal service; Hope Haven to continue recycling in Trenton

The Trenton City Council, with seven members present Monday night, unanimously accepted a bid for Rapid Removal Disposal to continue with residential trash pickup Bids on residential solid waste collection came from two companies. Rapid Removal Disposal of Trenton submitted a monthly quote of $11.25 this year and pledged to keep it at $11.25 per […]

Tractor with tracks

Ziegler Ag Equipment expands Maryville facility

Ziegler Ag Equipment has announced an expansion and remodel of its Maryville facility. The expansion will include 10,000 additional square feet of shop space, including eight large work bays, two five-ton cranes, and tool cribs. Another 2,000 square feet will be used for meeting rooms, a larger parts warehouse, and a retail showroom. The existing […]

Offender in Prison with hands on bars

Audio: Northeast Missouri legislator says alternatives to incarceration are important

There’s bipartisan support in the state legislature to focus on shifting the criminal justice system away from mass incarceration. Freshman Republican Representative Louis Riggs of northeast Missouri’s Hannibal says he’s looking forward to GOP Governor Parson’s leadership on the issue.     Riggs of Hannibal says alternatives to incarceration are important.     Riggs sits […]

Democratic Party

Audio: Outnumbered Democrats in Missouri legislature to defend progressive ballot victories, seek bipartisan criminal justice changes

Minority leaders in the Missouri legislature believe they’re taking a realistic approach to the upcoming session. New House Democratic Leader Crystal Quade of Springfield says her party will focus on defending progressive ballot measures passed by voters, noting the new laws are already under threat.     Senate Democratic Leader Gina Walsh of Bellefontaine Neighbors […]

Tax Form

Despite government shutdown, IRS confirms tax filing season to begin January 28

Despite the government shutdown, the Internal Revenue Service today confirmed that it will process tax returns beginning January 28, 2019, and provide refunds to taxpayers as scheduled. “We are committed to ensuring that taxpayers receive their refunds notwithstanding the government shutdown. I appreciate the hard work of the employees and their commitment to the taxpayers […]

Border Wall between United States and Mexico

Audio: Missouri Congress members back or oppose President Trump’s border wall demand to end shutdown on party lines

Missouri Congress members are sharply divided along party lines over support for President Trump’s demand for a border wall to end a government shutdown. Republican Representative Vicky Hartzler says she was against a bill passed by a voice vote in the GOP controlled Senate in December to temporarily fund the government without wall funding.   […]

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 […]

Insurance Policy

Post-harvest is time for producers to review liability insurance coverage

Post-harvest is a good time for producers to review their liability insurance coverage, says University of Missouri economist Ray Massey. Recent issues with dicamba spray drift highlight the need for farmers to understand their third-party liability due to herbicide applications, Massey says. Massey recommends that farmers consult with an insurance or legal professional experienced in […]