"This bill represents the future for growth in the livestock industry in Missouri," says Dave Drennan, executive director of the Missouri Dairy Association. "Members of the General Assembly will be sending a clear signal to our producers on whether or not agriculture is wanted in this state. For the dairy industry, and every other ag industry, we hope their decision is a positive vote of support."

Buses and vans brought in supporters from across the state to attend the event, which started at the Missouri Farm Bureau Building and ended in the halls of the Capitol. The large crowd of livestock producers, grain farmers and agribusiness members took time away from their farms, fields and businesses to travel to Jefferson City, Mo., to meet with lawmakers and push for passage of legislation that would help protect farmers from unjustified county regulations.

"It’s a slippery slope we are on right now and we need legislators to look at this legislation objectively," said Gary Branum, a farmer from New Madrid, Mo. "Few, if any, county governments have the time, science and knowledge to understand the complex rules they are imposing with county health ordinances and the farmers are the ones who end up suffering."

The broad coalition of agricultural organizations supporting Senate Bill 364 recently reached a major compromise on this legislation with the Missouri Association of Counties (MAC). The substitute bill addresses regulations regarding the state’s largest animal feeding operations, sets up a process for county input, increases setbacks in certain cases, and creates incentives for using best management practices and odor control techniques.

Source: Suntimes News