Ag Summit Gives Gloomy Farm Outlook

An agriculture summit in Jefferson City looks to address some looming problems for Missouri farmers. Poor crops, low prices, and the increasing costs to do business are all facing the state’s farmers. Missouri Farm Bureau President Charlie Kruse says the skyrocketing cost of fuel is the biggest concern to farmers right now. And Kruse says possible changes to the federal Farm Bill, eminent domain challenges, and the loss of some transportation infrastructure, in particular, pending man-made floods on the Missouri River next spring are all combining to make for a possible tough situation for farmers. Kruse says the river issue seems to be falling on deaf ears on the federal level. The Army Corps of Engineers has proposed in its annual operating plan for the Missouri River to have two spring rises, one in March and one in May. The extra releases of water from upstream dams are considered vital to help endangered species that rely on the Missouri River.Kruse hopes the summit held with state agriculture leaders and representatives of the state’s Congressional delegation will get the attention of somebody in Washington, D. C. The Farm Bureau held the summit at its headquarters in Jefferson City.