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<h1 style="padding-left: 30px;">Our Mission</h1>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">The Missouri Agribusiness Association is committed to the agribusiness industry within the Show-Me State by offering services that will enhance the day-to-day operations of agribusinesses now and in the future.</p>
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<p style="padding-left: 30px;">MO-AG's mission simply states, "The mission of the Missouri Agribusiness Association (MO-AG) is to advocate for the business of agriculture while offering services and networking opportunities for the agribusiness community."</p>
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<h1 style="padding-left: 30px;">2018 Pyramid of MO-AG Program Sponsors</h1>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">Click <a href="http://www.mo-ag.com/uploaded/pyramid%202017.pdf">here</a> to view the pyramid or click <a href="http://www.mo-ag.com/uploaded/2018%20MO-AG%20Sponsorship%20Form.docx">here</a> for the participation form to become a 2018 program sponsor. Thank you to all of our Program Sponsors!</p>
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<h1 style="padding-left: 30px;">Legislation of Interest</h1>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">Click <a href="http://www.mo-ag.com/uploaded/MO-AG%20Legislation%20of%20Interest%20032117.docx">here</a> to see legislation of interest.</p>
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<h1 style="padding-left: 30px;">News You Can Use</h1>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;"><br /><strong>Pesticide Fees Increase Proposed</strong> <br />Legislation has been filed in the Missouri House that would raise the annual fee for registering a pesticide product for sale in the State of Missouri from the current $150 per product to $450 per product.  The bill is HB2573, sponsored by Rep. Don Rone, and it was introduced in the Missouri House last week.  This bill would also create a Pesticide Education Fund to support applicator certification, pesticide education, and container disposal.  The bill would also allow up to seven percent of fee to be deposited into this Pesticide Education Fund.  MO-AG will follow this bill closely and we look forward to working with the bill sponsor as the bill makes its way through the legislative process.<br /><br />In other news related to the legislature, MO-AG held its legislative banquet recently in partnership with Sen. Brian Munzlinger and the 4H Foundation.  For several years, Sen. Munzlinger has used this occasion to present the Peter Myers award to those that have demonstrated outstanding public service.  One of the first award winners of this award was Mr. Bill Jackson, General Manager of AGRIServices of Brunswick.  After years of presenting this award to others, Sen. Munzlinger was surprised by Mr. Jackson and MO-AG President Steve Taylor as they presented the award to Sen. Munzlinger for his years of service in the Missouri legislature. </div>
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<div style="padding-left: 30px;"><img src="http://www.mo-ag.com/uploaded/munz%20surprise.jpg" alt="" /><br /><em><strong>Mr. Bill Jackson (right) of AGRIServices of Brunswick and Steve Taylor, MO-AG President, present Sen. Brian Munzlinger (left) with the Peter Myers award and a caricature memorializing Sen. Munzlinger's work in Jefferson City.</strong></em><br /><br /><strong>Emergency rule on 2,4-D and dicamba products</strong><br />The Missouri Department of Agriculture is conducting a public hearing on March 21st to take comments on a proposed emergency rule.  Information on the emergency rule and the public hearing can be found on MDA's website <a href="http://agriculture.mo.gov/news/newsitem/uuid/2a5b4868-5fe0-4d98-9d66-074bb272070c">HERE</a>.  Included in the proposed emergency rule is the statement that "pesticides that meet the conditions of this section are considered restricted use pesticides in Missouri and are only allowed to be sold or held for sale in the state from Oct. 1 of each year through April 15 of the following year."  Basically, the emergency rule would prohibit the sale of certain older formulations of dicamba and 2,4-D products after April 15 and before Oct. 1.  Products purchased after October 1 and before April 15 may be used in accordance with the directions for use found on the pesticide's label or labeling.<br /><br />In a separate news release, MDA announced that it has issued Special Local Need (24c) labels for certain products containing 2,4-D, specially Enlist One and Enlist Duo.  Information regarding these labels can be found <a href="http://agriculture.mo.gov/news/newsitem/uuid/4aab7b91-f1d2-4831-bc9a-f7da2a6c1ac8">HERE</a>.</div>
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<div style="padding-left: 30px;"><strong>Major Changes to MDNR Rules <br /></strong>A new rule go into effect May 1st that affect agrichemical facilities (i.e. fertilizer, herbicides).  The rule mainly does two things.  First, the rule eliminates the requirement to obtain construction permits for concrete secondary and operational containments.  In 2013, HB28, a bill supported by MO-AG and passed by the Missouri General Assembly, changed state law by removing the requirement that agrichemical facilities obtain construction permits for concrete secondary and operation containments.  The law change is now reflected in this rule.  Secondly, the new rule also eliminates the requirement that all agrichemical facilities must apply for, or maintain, an operating permit.  After this regulation change, Clean Water Commission regulations do not require businesses with a SIC code of 5191 to apply for an agrichemical operating permit.  A local retail facility that mixes or blends fertilizer on a small scale is likely classified under SIC code 5191, and therefore, are no longer required to have an operating permit.  If you are not a retailer and thus do not fall under the SIC code 5191 exemption, you will need to maintain your permit and there are some new requirements of the permit. <br /><br />Robert Brundage, MO-AG's legal counsel, looked out for the interests of MO-AG members throughout this multi-year process of revising this rule after the 2013 law change.  Thank you, Counselor.  I would also like to thank Governor Greitens and his staff.  At the CWC on January 11th, final approval of the rule was on the Commission's agenda.  The Commission, however, tabled the rule stating concerns with Gov. Greitens executive order which expressed a desire to remove 'needless and burdensome regulations.'  We met with Gov. Greiten's staff and explained that this rule was a good compromise that actually eliminated regulations for many agribusinesses.  The Governor's office understood and acted quickly to allow the rule to move forward.  So, again, thank you to Governor Greitens and his staff.<br /><br />The rule goes into effect May 1st.  You should understand the rule, how it may affect you, and what you need to do.  To help with that process, an article which provides more background, summarizes the rule change, and discusses what you need to know can be found <a href="r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Ei9dxTqvq1jqN6QUavLRFeeCWu8EK2jkpL3he9GA5POO3T9XVnkTD3ijdkXmyV8mpMTxP_wqYpYhvNaV1IuUOemGhKDZiNJwiG3bpQpCooCNoqGhFwIKqUR82pr0QmgoMrBxWjmmwxtAJuYp-ZgfpVspKG9bdh7h26wA2E3KeFmxVxtYszRDOKL4pGL6uDSd7kRpXOsHNNek1HTyBWV6WEebxuNzr9PvdV-UV4OBJM7wJ4RZQ1dHGS0aQ8nLeKbQ&c=2vtW5QFgXkalfvame66kh-bsUG3VnKMQkwGr-ngU6lID165SbDms2g==&ch=h3REHrw0zDVbx9TmjDJI-iLGnRlX5EcC_oimrT-J2hVdtz1C-ULz6g==">HERE</a>.  A copy of the rule itself can be found <a href="http://files.constantcontact.com/0f353e59001/1d4c9320-d706-46bf-bc9e-694c2bafc588.pdf">HERE</a>.  Also, a copy of the agrichemical facility permit template can be found <a href="http://files.constantcontact.com/0f353e59001/987087c8-8f1c-491c-9f7d-f7792f97cce4.pdf">HERE</a>.  In particular, note paragraph one of page 2 of the permit (applicability) which describes the relationship between the operating permit, the rule, and SIC codes.  If you have any questions, please contact Robert at his law firm (Newman, Comley & Ruth) at 573-634-2266 or contact the MO-AG office.<strong></strong><strong><br /></strong></div>
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<div style="padding-left: 30px;"><strong><img src="http://www.mo-ag.com/uploaded/Blunt5e.jpg" alt="" /></strong></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">(left to right) Daren Coppock, President of the Agricultural Retailers Association; Senator Roy Blunt; Steve Taylor, President of the Missouri Agribusiness Association<br /><br />MO-AG President Steve Taylor traveled to Washington DC where he joined ARA's Board of Directors and staff in recognizing Missouri's Senator Roy Blunt as ARA's Legislator of the Year.  Sen. Blunt is a consistent supporter of agribusiness and was particularly recognized last week for his efforts that stopped OSHA's overreaching regulations and his continuing efforts to do away with EPA's Waters of the United States (WOTUS).  In accepting the award, Blunt said "Missouri has more than 100,000 individual farms that depend on agricultural retailers to meet their needs, and the last thing Washington should do is get in the way. I am honored to receive this award, and will continue working to rein in excessive, burdensome red tape and bring more transparency and accountability to the regulatory process."  Earlier this past year, Blunt received MO-AG's 'Advocate for Agribusiness' award. <br /><br /> <img src="http://www.mo-ag.com/uploaded/mccaskill1a%20e.jpg" alt="" /><br />(left to right)  Jeff Blackwood, BASF; Keith Flick, MFA; Senator Claire McCaskill; Steve Taylor, MO-AG; Ed Thomas, The Fertilizer Institute (TFI)<br /><br />While in DC, Taylor joined with member companies and affiliated members to pay a visit to other members of the Missouri Congressional delegation.  During a visit with Sen. Claire McCaskill, the group thanked Senator McCaskill for her on-going support to eliminate duplicative regulations on pesticide applicators.  Sen. McCaskill is sponsoring legislation (S340) to remove the requirement that applicators obtain 'discharge' permits for pesticide applications near 'waters of the US'.  During the visit, Sen. McCaskill was asked to consider supporting a review of EPA's RMP rule.  Under the Congressional Review Act, this last-minute EPA rule could be rolled back.  The RMP rule adds more burdensome regulations, requiring 3rd party audits.  It also requires public release of sensitive information that was even opposed by the Obama Department of Homeland Security.  </div>
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<div style="padding-left: 30px;"><img src="http://www.mo-ag.com/uploaded/luetkemeyer%20e.jpg" alt="" />  </div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;"><br />Congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer has long led the fight to push back against overly aggressive federal regulators.  Right after the West, Texas tragedy, OSHA went after Missouri distributors of fertilizers seeking to retroactively enforce regulations and assess fines.  Luetkemeyer was key in pushing back on OSHA.  Several years ago, Congressman Luetkemeyer received MO-AG's 'advocate for agribusiness' award and Congressman Luetkemeyer continues to advocate for agribusiness today.    <br /> </div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;"><img src="http://www.mo-ag.com/uploaded/hartzler%20e.jpg" alt="" /><br />With Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler serving on House Agriculture Committee, much of the group's discussion focused on the next farm bill.  Committee Chairman Michael Conaway has stated he would like to see a new farm bill passed by September 2018 or earlier.  Taylor expressed concerns about comments made by the Committee's ranking member Collin Peterson.  Congressman Peterson supports increasing CRP acres to address over supply of grain and to increase wildlife habitat (see article below).  MO-AG wants to limit CRP acres so to keep working lands working.  <br /> </div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;"><img src="http://www.mo-ag.com/uploaded/smith%20e.jpg" alt="" /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;"><br />Instead of unilaterally reducing grain supplies and conceding defeat to our international competitors, MO-AG believes a better approach would be for the United States to adopt an aggressive approach to trade and focus on increasing exports of grain.  Some in agriculture and in other sectors are somewhat nervous regarding President Trump's approach to trade (see article below).   Congressman Smith was very hopeful on the trade issue as he mentioned his most recent conversations with President Trump on increasing agricultural exports and reflected on his past efforts to increase trade.  The group also visited with Congressman Billy Long who just a couple days later met with President Trump in the Whitehouse where he highlighted his trip to Japan which would also focus on increased trade.<br /><br /></div>
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<div style="padding-left: 30px;">(left to right)  Preston Buff, AFIA Director of Regulatory Affairs; Richard Sellers, AFIA Senior Vice President Richard Sellers; Steve Taylor, MO-AG President; and John Marshall Stewart, AFIA Manager of Government Affairs<br /><br />Before leaving DC, Taylor stopped by the offices of the American Feed Industry Association.  Among the issues discussed was the FDA's Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD).  Congressman Smith has legislation that would roll back the federal VFD rule.  At the state Capitol in Jefferson City, Representative Hurst has a resolution that urges the federal government to rescind VFD regulations that went into effect in January 2017. </div>
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