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MO lawmakers pass an omnibus ag bill

Missouri lawmakers included a Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Program in the ag omnibus bill.

Jacob Knaebel, a state legislative affairs manager with the Missouri Corn Growers Association, says the new program is designed to remove barriers to entry for the next generation of farming.

“This bill would incentivize the sale, sharecrop or lease of farmland from a retiring farmer to an eligible beginning farmer or a qualified family member,” he says. “That was a big priority for Missouri Corn this year.”

Knaebel says the omnibus gives Missouri another year to update the pesticide applicator license program.

“The Missouri Department of Agriculture has another year to vet that program and make sure it will be beneficial to farmers.”

The bill would establish a Waterways and Ports Trust fund and a Missouri River Flood Resiliency fund. There are also updates to the biodiesel producer tax credits, updates to weights and measures fees for the Missouri Ag Department and changes for the veterinary student loan payment fund in the omnibus bill.

Lawmakers passed a bill on Thursday and it is now awaiting Governor Parson’s signature. The state legislative session is scheduled to wrap up by 6 p.m. Read the bill.