At the first State of Missouri Agriculture event held in Jefferson City, State Senator Brian Munzlinger, Chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee, spoke of the importance of Missouri agriculture to our state’s economy, identified challenges for the future and reminded Missourians of the affordable and safe food Missouri farmers and ranchers provide.

“We appreciate the leadership of Senator Munzlinger for organizing an event to spotlight Missouri agriculture,” said Blake Hurst, president of Missouri Farm Bureau.

“As we consider the state of agriculture in Missouri, many issues come to the minds of our members.  Passage this week by the U.S. Congress of a Farm Bill is the most pressing issue.  As a general farm organization, we have looked at the Farm Bill’s impact on all sectors.  We contend the conference report before Congress is a net positive. While the bill isn’t perfect, it will provide certainty–something farmers and ranchers haven’t had for a year and a half,” said Hurst.

“Missouri farmers and ranchers are always faced with challenges, such as the current shortage and spike in price of propane.  Many poultry, hog, horticulture and other farming facilities depend upon propane as their heating source during the winter months,” said Hurst.  “Agriculture also has to continually deal with a growing number of burdensome and many times needless governmental regulations that harm farmers and ranchers financially and can actually put them out of business.

Hurst continued, “This fall Missouri voters will have the opportunity to vote for Constitutional Amendment #1 which will help provide Missouri farmers and ranchers a level of protection from harmful and needless restrictions that would increase food costs and limit consumer choices.  The Keep Missouri Farming amendment is the top priority of Missouri agriculture in 2014, and Missouri Farm Bureau will do everything possible to seek its passage.”