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  <title>Missouri Department of Agriculture News</title>
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  <description>Official news releases issued by the Missouri Department of Agriculture</description>
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<item><title><![CDATA[Specialty Crops Awarded Funds to Further Enhance Industry]]></title><guid isPermaLink="true">http://mda.mo.gov/news/2009/Specialty_Crops_Awarded_Funds_to_Further_Enhance_Industry</guid><link>http://mda.mo.gov/news/2009/Specialty_Crops_Awarded_Funds_to_Further_Enhance_Industry</link><description><![CDATA[The Missouri Department of Agriculture today announced that they have selected 13 agricultural projects across Missouri to receive funding provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Specialty Crop Block Grant Program.]]></description><category>BUSINESS</category><pubDate>Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:28:31 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Planning & Response Sessions Prepare Missouri Producers for Ag Emergency]]></title><guid isPermaLink="true">http://mda.mo.gov/news/2009/Planning_Response_Sessions_Prepare_Missouri_Producers_for_Ag_Emergency</guid><link>http://mda.mo.gov/news/2009/Planning_Response_Sessions_Prepare_Missouri_Producers_for_Ag_Emergency</link><description><![CDATA[Through a series of sessions across the state, the Missouri Department of Agriculture is helping farmers prepare for potential agricultural emergencies.  The Animal Agriculture Emergency Planning & Response Sessions educate producers about local and state efforts as they relate to livestock disease outbreaks and other potential emergencies that could occur.  Buchanan County will be hosting the next event on Wed., Nov. 18 from 6-8:30 p.m. at the Missouri Western State University's Leah Sprall Hall Room 109 in St. Joseph.]]></description><category>BUSINESS</category><category>EDUCATION</category><pubDate>Fri, 06 Nov 2009 20:49:50 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Emergency Declaration Extended to Help Commercial & Private Grain Haulers with the Harvest]]></title><guid isPermaLink="true">http://mda.mo.gov/news/2009/Emergency_Declaration_Extended_to_Help_Commercial_Private_Grain_Haulers</guid><link>http://mda.mo.gov/news/2009/Emergency_Declaration_Extended_to_Help_Commercial_Private_Grain_Haulers</link><description><![CDATA[Missouri Department of Agriculture today asked the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) to extend their Oct. 30 emergency declaration allowing farmers to run their loaded trucks at 10 percent above the required weight limit to include commercial and private grain haulers.  This addition will provide even more assistance to farmers in getting their crops harvested from the fields and stored in bins or hauled to their local elevators and processors.  Additionally, the Department of Agriculture has asked MoDOT to authorize the movement of product from storage facility to storage facility or end-user.]]></description><category>BUSINESS</category><pubDate>Wed, 04 Nov 2009 21:25:13 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Emergency Declaration to Help Missouri Farmers with Harvest]]></title><guid isPermaLink="true">http://mda.mo.gov/news/2009/Emergency_Declaration_to_Help_Missouri_Farmers_with_Harvest</guid><link>http://mda.mo.gov/news/2009/Emergency_Declaration_to_Help_Missouri_Farmers_with_Harvest</link><description><![CDATA[With the immediate weather forecast calling for a much needed break in the wet weather, Missouri farmers will be scrambling to get their crops harvested as soon as the ground dries.  To help in that process, today the Missouri Department of Agriculture asked the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) to issue an emergency declaration waiving certain regulations for Missouri farmers who are rushed to harvest crops and transport their commodities.  The declaration will allow farmers to run their loaded trucks at 10 percent above the required weight limit providing much needed assistance to farmers in getting their corn and soybeans harvested from the fields and stored in farm bins or hauled to their local grain elevators and processors.  In addition, the Department of Agriculture requested that farmers be granted a 60-day waiver to the hours-of-service requirements.]]></description><category>BUSINESS</category><pubDate>Fri, 30 Oct 2009 21:03:26 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[State Department of Agriculture Proposes Emergency Rule Change to Provide Needed Assistance]]></title><guid isPermaLink="true">http://mda.mo.gov/news/2009/Emergency_Rule_Change_Proposed_to_Provide_Needed_Assistance</guid><link>http://mda.mo.gov/news/2009/Emergency_Rule_Change_Proposed_to_Provide_Needed_Assistance</link><description><![CDATA[The Missouri Department of Agriculture and the Missouri Agricultural and Small Business Development Authority (MASBDA) are proposing an emergency rule change to the Single Purpose Animal Loan Guarantee Program to help extend credit to Missouri's producers.  Ag industries, especially dairy and pork, continue to face high input costs and sustained low sell prices well below the cost of production.]]></description><category>BUSINESS</category><pubDate>Mon, 26 Oct 2009 13:58:22 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Missouri Livestock Producers Encouraged to put on the Pounds]]></title><guid isPermaLink="true">http://mda.mo.gov/news/2009/Missouri_Livestock_Producers_Encouraged_to_put_on_the_Pounds</guid><link>http://mda.mo.gov/news/2009/Missouri_Livestock_Producers_Encouraged_to_put_on_the_Pounds</link><description><![CDATA[The Missouri Agricultural and Small Business Development Authority (MASBDA) is reminding livestock producers interested in backgrounding or finishing cattle that they can still apply for the Missouri Qualified Beef Tax Credits.  The credits, first affective in Aug. 2008, provides a ten cent per pound tax credit to producers who put an extra 200 pounds or more on their calves prior to market.   Livestock producers already backgrounding or finishing their cattle can also qualify by adding additional cattle to their operations.]]></description><category>EDUCATION</category><pubDate>Sat, 10 Oct 2009 :45:17 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Ag Officials Propose Comprehensive Plan for Dairy & Pork Producers]]></title><guid isPermaLink="true">http://mda.mo.gov/news/2009/National_Ag_Proposal_to_Help_Dairy_Pork_Producers</guid><link>http://mda.mo.gov/news/2009/National_Ag_Proposal_to_Help_Dairy_Pork_Producers</link><description><![CDATA[Missouri's Director of Agriculture Dr. Jon Hagler has joined other leading agriculture officials from across the U.S. in proposing a national agriculture rescue plan called "Meat the Need" to immediately help the nation's dairy, pork and poultry industries that have been adversely affected by economic downturns. Director Hagler returned last week from the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) Conference where agriculture directors, secretaries and commissioners met for four days discussing a plan to overcome the economic crisis that so many farmers are facing in Missouri and across the U.S. The "Meat the Need" plan, proposed by Director Hagler and other NASDA members, would not only take extra dairy and pork supplies off of the market but would provide low income families with more dairy and protein.]]></description><category>BUSINESS</category><category>GOVERNMENT</category><pubDate>Wed, 30 Sep 2009 14:50:58 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Gov. Nixon Asks U.S. Secretary of Agriculture for Weather-Related Disaster Assistance for Missouri Farmers]]></title><guid isPermaLink="true">http://mda.mo.gov/news/2009/Gov_Nixon_Requests_Weather_Related_Disaster_Assistance_for_Farmers</guid><link>http://mda.mo.gov/news/2009/Gov_Nixon_Requests_Weather_Related_Disaster_Assistance_for_Farmers</link><description><![CDATA[Today Gov. Jay Nixon asked U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack to grant a secretarial disaster designation for Missouri counties impacted by excessive rain, strong winds and flood damage earlier this year. On July 28, 2009, Gov. Nixon asked USDA Farm Service Agency Executive Director Edward Hamill to begin conducting a complete damage assessment on all 114 counties as well as the city of St. Louis. Based on the final review of the damage assessment reports, FSA determined that 28 counties had been negatively impacted by weather-related occurrences and could be eligible for federal assistance.]]></description><category>BUSINESS</category><category>GOVERNMENT</category><pubDate>Thu, 24 Sep 2009 23:17:41 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Department of Agriculture Removes Over 100 Dogs in Phelps County]]></title><guid isPermaLink="true">http://mda.mo.gov/news/2009/MDA_Removes_Over_100_Dogs_in_Phelps_County</guid><link>http://mda.mo.gov/news/2009/MDA_Removes_Over_100_Dogs_in_Phelps_County</link><description><![CDATA[Today, the Missouri Department of Agriculture Director Dr. Jon Hagler and Attorney General Chris Koster accompanied the Department's animal care team in taking action to protect over 100 dogs living in unsanitary conditions.  The dogs, mostly small breeds including chihuahuas, poodles, yorkshire terriers and pomeranians, lacked adequate veterinary care and clean water at an unlicensed breeding kennel near Doolittle, Mo., located in Phelps County.  The Department of Agriculture's Animal Care Facilities Act (ACFA) program worked with the Phelps County Sheriff's Department to execute a warrant to take possession of the animals. The Humane Society of Missouri also assisted with the rescue and will provide care and shelter for the animals in St. Louis.]]></description><category>HOME AND FAMILY</category><pubDate>Tue, 15 Sep 2009 14:59:21 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Enthusiasts Hit the Road for Missouri Wines]]></title><guid isPermaLink="true">http://mda.mo.gov/news/2009/Enthusiasts_Hit_the_Road_for_Missouri_Wines</guid><link>http://mda.mo.gov/news/2009/Enthusiasts_Hit_the_Road_for_Missouri_Wines</link><description><![CDATA[As summer months fade away and the cool fall days linger ahead, Missouri wineries are amid their harvesting season and are gearing up for fall crowds ready to enjoy Missouri's local wines.  September and October is the time of year when Missouri's over 90 wineries host celebrations across the state.  Nearly one million people visit Missouri wineries each year.]]></description><category>BUSINESS</category><category>RECREATION AND TOURISM</category><pubDate>Tue, 08 Sep 2009 14:15:31 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Department of Agriculture Director Asks State Auditor to Review Grain Industry Practices]]></title><guid isPermaLink="true">http://mda.mo.gov/news/2009/Department_of_Agriculture_Director_Asks_State_Auditor_to_Review_Grain_Industry_Practices</guid><link>http://mda.mo.gov/news/2009/Department_of_Agriculture_Director_Asks_State_Auditor_to_Review_Grain_Industry_Practices</link><description><![CDATA[Missouri Department of Agriculture Director Jon Hagler has asked Missouri State Auditor Susan Montee to begin an advisory review of the department's Grain Regulatory Service's current practices and offer her staff's guidance on standard auditing procedures.]]></description><category>GOVERNMENT</category><pubDate>Wed, 02 Sep 2009 16:51:07 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Cross J Vineyard Norton Takes the Cup]]></title><guid isPermaLink="true">http://mda.mo.gov/news/2009/Cross_J_Vineyard_Norton_Takes_the_Cup</guid><link>http://mda.mo.gov/news/2009/Cross_J_Vineyard_Norton_Takes_the_Cup</link><description><![CDATA[This week at a ceremony honoring Missouri's wine industry, Missouri Department of Agriculture Director Dr. Jon Hagler and Missouri Wine and Grape Board Executive Director Jim Anderson presented Stone Hill Winery's 2007 Cross J Vineyard Norton with the coveted 2009 Missouri Governor's Cup.  Labeled as the best wine in Missouri, the Cross J Vineyard Norton takes the top prize in over 220 wine entries in the Missouri Wine Competition held in July.]]></description><category>BUSINESS</category><category>RECREATION AND TOURISM</category><pubDate>Fri, 07 Aug 2009 :20:52 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Department of Agriculture Holds Administrative Hearing Regarding Gieseker Grain Case]]></title><guid isPermaLink="true">http://mda.mo.gov/news/2009/Administrative_Hearing_Held_Regarding_Gieseker_Grain_Case</guid><link>http://mda.mo.gov/news/2009/Administrative_Hearing_Held_Regarding_Gieseker_Grain_Case</link><description><![CDATA[The Missouri Department of Agriculture today held a public administrative hearing in Martinsburg, Mo. to determine the validity of claims, the applicability of the grain dealer's bond and give claimants the opportunity to ask questions related to their claims in the T.J. Gieseker Farms & Trucking grain case.  The administrative hearing officer will determine if the proposed settlement provided by the Department of Agriculture is equitable given the assets and claims.  The Department of Agriculture received 180 claims from farmers affected totaling over $27 million.  Grain, grain-related assets and an irrevocable letter of credit seized in February by the Department of Agriculture totaled $532,720.]]></description><category>BUSINESS</category><pubDate>Fri, 07 Aug 2009 :58:15 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Department of Agriculture Announces Administrative Hearing in Gieseker Case]]></title><guid isPermaLink="true">http://mda.mo.gov/news/2009/Administrative_Hearing_in_Gieseker_Case_Announced</guid><link>http://mda.mo.gov/news/2009/Administrative_Hearing_in_Gieseker_Case_Announced</link><description><![CDATA[The Missouri Department of Agriculture today announced that an administrative hearing regarding the T.J. Gieseker grain case has been set for Friday, Aug. 7 at 10 a.m. at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Martinsburg, MO.  The Department of Agriculture received 180 claims from farmers affected totaling over $27 million.]]></description><category>BUSINESS</category><pubDate>Mon, 20 Jul 2009 19:59:26 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[First Lady, Director of Agriculture Proclaim July as Local Foods Month and Presents the Department of Agriculture's Growing Together Garden]]></title><guid isPermaLink="true">http://mda.mo.gov/news/2009/July_Proclaimed_as_Local_Foods_Month</guid><link>http://mda.mo.gov/news/2009/July_Proclaimed_as_Local_Foods_Month</link><description><![CDATA[Today First Lady Georganne Wheeler Nixon and Missouri Director of Agriculture Dr. Jon Hagler hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony for the Growing Together Garden and proclaimed July as Local Foods Month.  The community garden, located and maintained at the Department of Agriculture, is the first garden of its kinds on the grounds at the Agriculture Department and serves as a showcase of Missouri's agricultural products.]]></description><category>HOME AND FAMILY</category><pubDate>Fri, 10 Jul 2009 13:51:34 GMT</pubDate></item>	

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