Investing in Missouri’s No. 1 Industry

JEFFERSON CITY — With more than 28 million acres of farmland and close to 100,000 farm operations, it’s clear that agriculture is Missouri’s number one industry. Ensuring stability and continued success for the people that feed our state is one of my top priorities, so I was glad to join my colleagues in passing Senate Bill 12.

The bill contains many of the same common-sense provisions the Legislature passed last year, but were unfortunately vetoed by the governor.

The Missouri Dairy Scholars Program will bolster Missouri’s dairy industry by attracting new and younger producers. As an incentive, scholarships will be awarded to students in agriculture-related degree programs who commit to working in the agriculture industry after graduation. With the average age of the Missouri farmer now at 56 (and climbing), it’s incredibly important that we take steps to ensure the future of our agriculture industry is healthy and strong.

The bill also relaxes weight restrictions for Missourians shipping livestock, grains or co-grains on state highways. Easing these limits will allow Missouri’s farmers to transport their grain efficiently and effectively during harvest time, which is the most critical time to move grain.

Additionally, SB 12 stops the state from profiting on the backs of farmers by prohibiting the Missouri Department of Agriculture from charging more in license fees than the cost of inspection.

Please visit Sen. Wieland’s official Missouri Senate website at www.senate.mo.gov/wieland.