Governor’s Column - December 15, 2006
by Governor Matt Blunt
Missouri Agriculture
Agriculture is the bedrock of the state’s economy, the foundation of our future and a high priority in my administration. In order for Missouri’s farm families and ranchers to continue to increase their productivity and remain competitive in a global economy we must build on the successes of the last two years.
During the upcoming legislative session I will ask the state legislature to increase the amount of tax credits available through the Missouri Agricultural and Small Business Development Authority from $6 million to $10 million. The tax credits help young farmers reduce the risks to their farming operations by waiving interest payments for one year.
Missouri has the potential to become the nation’s best and most profitable beef industry. We must continue to chart a new course for Missouri’s beef industry that recognizes the full value of Missouri beef by aggressively marketing the Missouri beef brand.
Last year we made progress in positioning Missouri as a leader in the use of alternative fuels by requiring that gasoline sold in Missouri be blended with 10 percent ethanol by 2008. This new E-10 standard fulfills a commitment I made to Missourians. Next year I will again call for full funding for the biodiesel and ethanol incentive funds to ensure our continued success in the growing alternative fuels industry. Over the last two years my administration has worked to pay back the incentive payments that were promised to the Missouri farm families that invested in ethanol cooperatives, but were not made before I took office. The next budget I will propose will include fulfilling all outstanding incentive payments.
To ensure that Missouri’s alternative fuels industry continues to grow we must address regulatory barriers so that we can create agricultural centers like dairies and finishing operations near ethanol plants where livestock can feed on distillers’ grains. We also must advocate for more E-85 pumps and encourage the United States’ auto industry to produce more flex-fuel vehicles and expand the number of models that are flex-fuel capable.
Missouri’s agriculture industry is strong and now even stronger because of the successes of the previous two years. We must continue to build on our past accomplishments to ensure Missouri’s farm families remain competitive in our global economy.