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  <title>Missouri Department of Agriculture News</title>
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<item><title><![CDATA[Livestock Contest & Workshop Offers Opportunities to Learn USDA Grade Standards]]></title><guid isPermaLink="true">http://mda.mo.gov/news/2010/Livestock_Contest_Workshop_Offers_Opportunities_to_Learn_USDA_Grade_Standards</guid><link>http://mda.mo.gov/news/2010/Livestock_Contest_Workshop_Offers_Opportunities_to_Learn_USDA_Grade_Standards</link><description><![CDATA[The Missouri Department of Agriculture is working to help Missouri producers improve their operations by teaching both youth and adults how to evaluate livestock based on the U.S. Department of Agriculture's grade standards.  The Missouri Livestock Grading and Judging Contest and Workshop will be held Sat. March 13 at the University of Missouri's Trowbridge Livestock Center in Columbia.  The workshop, open to grades nine or lower, provides youth an educational opportunity to learn the process of grading livestock.  The contest, open to all ages, is an opportunity to apply national grading standards and to be judged on the process.]]></description><category>BUSINESS</category><pubDate>Thu, 28 Jan 2010 16:03:26 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Department of Ag Encourages Missouri Farm Operations to Apply for Value-Added Grants]]></title><guid isPermaLink="true">http://mda.mo.gov/news/2010/Department_of_Ag_Encourages_Missouri_Farm_Operations_to_Apply_for_Value_Added_Grants</guid><link>http://mda.mo.gov/news/2010/Department_of_Ag_Encourages_Missouri_Farm_Operations_to_Apply_for_Value_Added_Grants</link><description><![CDATA[Today, the Missouri Agricultural and Small Business Development Authority (MASBDA) announced that grants are available to assist farmers with business planning expenses for projects that develop, process or market Missouri agricultural goods.]]></description><category>BUSINESS</category><pubDate>Mon, 04 Jan 2010 14:41:11 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Response to the Missouri Tax Commission's decision to increase farm land assessments]]></title><guid isPermaLink="true">http://mda.mo.gov/news/2009/Statement_by_Director_of_Agriculture_Dr_Jon_Hagler</guid><link>http://mda.mo.gov/news/2009/Statement_by_Director_of_Agriculture_Dr_Jon_Hagler</link><description><![CDATA[Response to the Missouri Tax Commission's decision to increase farm land assessments]]></description><category>BUSINESS</category><category>GOVERNMENT</category><pubDate>Wed, 16 Dec 2009 16:52:49 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Think Outside the Barn at the 2010 Missouri Governor's Conference on Agriculture]]></title><guid isPermaLink="true">http://mda.mo.gov/news/2009/Think_Outside_the_Barn_at_the_2010_Missouri_Governor_s_Conference_on_Agriculture</guid><link>http://mda.mo.gov/news/2009/Think_Outside_the_Barn_at_the_2010_Missouri_Governor_s_Conference_on_Agriculture</link><description><![CDATA[If you haven't registered for the 42nd Missouri Governor's Conference on Agriculture, it is not too late.  The Jan. 7-9, 2010 agriculture event at the Hyatt Regency St. Louis at The Arch is shaping up to be one of the most interesting and exciting events in recent history.  Governor Jay Nixon will join Missouri farmers and industry leaders in a critically important dialogue on the future of agriculture in Missouri and across the U.S.]]></description><category>BUSINESS</category><category>GOVERNMENT</category><pubDate>Tue, 15 Dec 2009 :00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Missouri Department of Agriculture Urges Tax Commission Not to Increase Agricultural Taxes]]></title><guid isPermaLink="true">http://mda.mo.gov/news/2009/Director_of_Ag_Urges_Tax_Commission_Not_to_Increase_Ag_Taxes</guid><link>http://mda.mo.gov/news/2009/Director_of_Ag_Urges_Tax_Commission_Not_to_Increase_Ag_Taxes</link><description><![CDATA[The Missouri Department of Agriculture has gone on record opposing any increases in assessments on farm land.]]></description><category>BUSINESS</category><category>GOVERNMENT</category><pubDate>Tue, 01 Dec 2009 18:58:25 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Thank a Missouri Farmer as You Feast this Thanksgiving]]></title><guid isPermaLink="true">http://mda.mo.gov/news/2009/Thank_a_Missouri_Farmer_as_You_Feast_this_Thanksgiving</guid><link>http://mda.mo.gov/news/2009/Thank_a_Missouri_Farmer_as_You_Feast_this_Thanksgiving</link><description><![CDATA[At an event at the Forck family farm in Cole County, Director of Agriculture Dr. Jon Hagler today recognized the thousands of Missouri farmers thanking them for their hard work and commitment to providing consumers some of the highest quality, most affordable food in the world.  On behalf of Governor Jay Nixon, Dr. Hagler proclaimed today as Thank A Farmer Day in Missouri presenting an official proclamation to Kelly Forck.  Forck Farms is a 5th generation Missouri Century farm growing corn and soybean and raising cattle.]]></description><category>BUSINESS</category><category>HOME AND FAMILY</category><pubDate>Wed, 25 Nov 2009 20:49:46 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Specialty Crops Awarded Funds to Further Enhance Industry]]></title><guid isPermaLink="true">http://mda.mo.gov/news/2009/Specialty_Crops_Awarded_Funds_to_Further_Enhance_Industry</guid><link>http://mda.mo.gov/news/2009/Specialty_Crops_Awarded_Funds_to_Further_Enhance_Industry</link><description><![CDATA[The Missouri Department of Agriculture today announced that they have selected 13 agricultural projects across Missouri to receive funding provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Specialty Crop Block Grant Program.]]></description><category>BUSINESS</category><pubDate>Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:28:31 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Planning & Response Sessions Prepare Missouri Producers for Ag Emergency]]></title><guid isPermaLink="true">http://mda.mo.gov/news/2009/Planning_Response_Sessions_Prepare_Missouri_Producers_for_Ag_Emergency</guid><link>http://mda.mo.gov/news/2009/Planning_Response_Sessions_Prepare_Missouri_Producers_for_Ag_Emergency</link><description><![CDATA[Through a series of sessions across the state, the Missouri Department of Agriculture is helping farmers prepare for potential agricultural emergencies.  The Animal Agriculture Emergency Planning & Response Sessions educate producers about local and state efforts as they relate to livestock disease outbreaks and other potential emergencies that could occur.  Buchanan County will be hosting the next event on Wed., Nov. 18 from 6-8:30 p.m. at the Missouri Western State University's Leah Sprall Hall Room 109 in St. Joseph.]]></description><category>BUSINESS</category><category>EDUCATION</category><pubDate>Fri, 06 Nov 2009 20:49:50 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Emergency Declaration Extended to Help Commercial & Private Grain Haulers with the Harvest]]></title><guid isPermaLink="true">http://mda.mo.gov/news/2009/Emergency_Declaration_Extended_to_Help_Commercial_Private_Grain_Haulers</guid><link>http://mda.mo.gov/news/2009/Emergency_Declaration_Extended_to_Help_Commercial_Private_Grain_Haulers</link><description><![CDATA[Missouri Department of Agriculture today asked the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) to extend their Oct. 30 emergency declaration allowing farmers to run their loaded trucks at 10 percent above the required weight limit to include commercial and private grain haulers.  This addition will provide even more assistance to farmers in getting their crops harvested from the fields and stored in bins or hauled to their local elevators and processors.  Additionally, the Department of Agriculture has asked MoDOT to authorize the movement of product from storage facility to storage facility or end-user.]]></description><category>BUSINESS</category><pubDate>Wed, 04 Nov 2009 21:25:13 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Emergency Declaration to Help Missouri Farmers with Harvest]]></title><guid isPermaLink="true">http://mda.mo.gov/news/2009/Emergency_Declaration_to_Help_Missouri_Farmers_with_Harvest</guid><link>http://mda.mo.gov/news/2009/Emergency_Declaration_to_Help_Missouri_Farmers_with_Harvest</link><description><![CDATA[With the immediate weather forecast calling for a much needed break in the wet weather, Missouri farmers will be scrambling to get their crops harvested as soon as the ground dries.  To help in that process, today the Missouri Department of Agriculture asked the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) to issue an emergency declaration waiving certain regulations for Missouri farmers who are rushed to harvest crops and transport their commodities.  The declaration will allow farmers to run their loaded trucks at 10 percent above the required weight limit providing much needed assistance to farmers in getting their corn and soybeans harvested from the fields and stored in farm bins or hauled to their local grain elevators and processors.  In addition, the Department of Agriculture requested that farmers be granted a 60-day waiver to the hours-of-service requirements.]]></description><category>BUSINESS</category><pubDate>Fri, 30 Oct 2009 21:03:26 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[State Department of Agriculture Proposes Emergency Rule Change to Provide Needed Assistance]]></title><guid isPermaLink="true">http://mda.mo.gov/news/2009/Emergency_Rule_Change_Proposed_to_Provide_Needed_Assistance</guid><link>http://mda.mo.gov/news/2009/Emergency_Rule_Change_Proposed_to_Provide_Needed_Assistance</link><description><![CDATA[The Missouri Department of Agriculture and the Missouri Agricultural and Small Business Development Authority (MASBDA) are proposing an emergency rule change to the Single Purpose Animal Loan Guarantee Program to help extend credit to Missouri's producers.  Ag industries, especially dairy and pork, continue to face high input costs and sustained low sell prices well below the cost of production.]]></description><category>BUSINESS</category><pubDate>Mon, 26 Oct 2009 13:58:22 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Missouri Livestock Producers Encouraged to put on the Pounds]]></title><guid isPermaLink="true">http://mda.mo.gov/news/2009/Missouri_Livestock_Producers_Encouraged_to_put_on_the_Pounds</guid><link>http://mda.mo.gov/news/2009/Missouri_Livestock_Producers_Encouraged_to_put_on_the_Pounds</link><description><![CDATA[The Missouri Agricultural and Small Business Development Authority (MASBDA) is reminding livestock producers interested in backgrounding or finishing cattle that they can still apply for the Missouri Qualified Beef Tax Credits.  The credits, first affective in Aug. 2008, provides a ten cent per pound tax credit to producers who put an extra 200 pounds or more on their calves prior to market.   Livestock producers already backgrounding or finishing their cattle can also qualify by adding additional cattle to their operations.]]></description><category>EDUCATION</category><pubDate>Sat, 10 Oct 2009 :45:17 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Ag Officials Propose Comprehensive Plan for Dairy & Pork Producers]]></title><guid isPermaLink="true">http://mda.mo.gov/news/2009/National_Ag_Proposal_to_Help_Dairy_Pork_Producers</guid><link>http://mda.mo.gov/news/2009/National_Ag_Proposal_to_Help_Dairy_Pork_Producers</link><description><![CDATA[Missouri's Director of Agriculture Dr. Jon Hagler has joined other leading agriculture officials from across the U.S. in proposing a national agriculture rescue plan called "Meat the Need" to immediately help the nation's dairy, pork and poultry industries that have been adversely affected by economic downturns. Director Hagler returned last week from the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) Conference where agriculture directors, secretaries and commissioners met for four days discussing a plan to overcome the economic crisis that so many farmers are facing in Missouri and across the U.S. The "Meat the Need" plan, proposed by Director Hagler and other NASDA members, would not only take extra dairy and pork supplies off of the market but would provide low income families with more dairy and protein.]]></description><category>BUSINESS</category><category>GOVERNMENT</category><pubDate>Wed, 30 Sep 2009 14:50:58 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Gov. Nixon Asks U.S. Secretary of Agriculture for Weather-Related Disaster Assistance for Missouri Farmers]]></title><guid isPermaLink="true">http://mda.mo.gov/news/2009/Gov_Nixon_Requests_Weather_Related_Disaster_Assistance_for_Farmers</guid><link>http://mda.mo.gov/news/2009/Gov_Nixon_Requests_Weather_Related_Disaster_Assistance_for_Farmers</link><description><![CDATA[Today Gov. Jay Nixon asked U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack to grant a secretarial disaster designation for Missouri counties impacted by excessive rain, strong winds and flood damage earlier this year. On July 28, 2009, Gov. Nixon asked USDA Farm Service Agency Executive Director Edward Hamill to begin conducting a complete damage assessment on all 114 counties as well as the city of St. Louis. Based on the final review of the damage assessment reports, FSA determined that 28 counties had been negatively impacted by weather-related occurrences and could be eligible for federal assistance.]]></description><category>BUSINESS</category><category>GOVERNMENT</category><pubDate>Thu, 24 Sep 2009 23:17:41 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Department of Agriculture Removes Over 100 Dogs in Phelps County]]></title><guid isPermaLink="true">http://mda.mo.gov/news/2009/MDA_Removes_Over_100_Dogs_in_Phelps_County</guid><link>http://mda.mo.gov/news/2009/MDA_Removes_Over_100_Dogs_in_Phelps_County</link><description><![CDATA[Today, the Missouri Department of Agriculture Director Dr. Jon Hagler and Attorney General Chris Koster accompanied the Department's animal care team in taking action to protect over 100 dogs living in unsanitary conditions.  The dogs, mostly small breeds including chihuahuas, poodles, yorkshire terriers and pomeranians, lacked adequate veterinary care and clean water at an unlicensed breeding kennel near Doolittle, Mo., located in Phelps County.  The Department of Agriculture's Animal Care Facilities Act (ACFA) program worked with the Phelps County Sheriff's Department to execute a warrant to take possession of the animals. The Humane Society of Missouri also assisted with the rescue and will provide care and shelter for the animals in St. Louis.]]></description><category>HOME AND FAMILY</category><pubDate>Tue, 15 Sep 2009 14:59:21 GMT</pubDate></item>	

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