Agriculture

Lawmakers passed legislation last week that cuts Missouri’s income tax. Both bills now head to Gov. Mike Parson’s desk where he is expected to sign them.

New members added to a crucial committee at the last minute staved off an early death for part of Gov. Mike Parson’s special session agenda.

The University of Missouri will receive a $25 million grant to help farmers statewide change their practices to be more financially viable in the wake of climate change and also mitigate the pace of change.

For decades, corn detasseling was a customary summer job for teenagers in Nebraska and the rest of the Corn Belt. In recent years, however, agriculture companies are relying more on migrant labor to do this work through a visa program meant to supplement the local workforce.

Across the Midwest, farmland prices have risen sharply from last year, in part because of high commodity prices and a global food shortage. The highly competitive market, which often includes investors, can make it difficult for young farmers to grow their businesses.

Agriculture companies are increasingly paying farmers to capture carbon. But some say the newly budding carbon marketplace isn’t enough to fight climate change.

Agriculture companies are looking for people who are interested in science and the majority of jobs aren’t in rural areas of the country. Hiring managers are increasingly looking for people who don’t have traditional ag backgrounds.

Some farmers in Missouri and Illinois are planting trees and cover crops to keep climate-warming carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere.

The crossbreed gained some attention in the 1970s. Supporters today say there is big potential to provide better, healthier meat by combining the best qualities of the two animals, in just the right amount.

A series of virtual roundtable discussions are underway regarding the Waters of the United States definition. But the input might not change much about what comes next.