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MO Senate proposes key ag investments in state budget

A state senator from northern Missouri says the senate’s state budget proposal of $50 billion makes several investments in agriculture.

Rusty Black from District 12 tells Brownfield there’s $43 million proposed for a new veterinary lab and hospital at the University of Missouri in Columbia.

“The diagnostics lab at MU is one of the better ones in the United States with the fact they’re ranked that way,” he says. “They get lots of work and that work can be outside of the animal industry. There’s been talk about how to modernize and update the building.”

The Senate’s budget would also provide $11.5 million for the Missouri Ag Department to control black vultures and $25 million to create a new meat laboratory at the University of Missouri. But the House must approve the bill and Black says it will likely go to conference.

“We’re in a very good place. But I hope next Friday I’m home working with Hereford cows.”

Friday, May 5 is Missouri’s budget deadline.