The Missouri Dairy Association (MDA), at a press conference in the State Capitol yesterday, urged an override of Governor Jay Nixon's veto of HB 1326 and SB 506 which contained the "Missouri Dairy Revitalization Act of 2014"."The Act strengthens the dairy industry, ensures a milk supply to the state's processors, and keeps consumer prices of milk and other dairy products stable," said Larry Purdom, president of the Missouri Dairy Association (MDA) and a dairy farmer from Purdy.
"This legislation is much needed by the dairy farming community and will support our state's robust dairy processing and manufacturing sector."
"A recent University of Missouri study demonstrates that our industry directly employs over 5,500 workers with an average wage of over $47,000 per worker," said Ron Benefiel, president-elect of the Missouri Dairy Products Association (MDPA).
"If you include indirect and induced jobs stimulated by the dairy product manufacturing industry, over 23, 000 jobs are supported and provide $1.2 billion in wages in the state. This does not include the jobs created and supported by the farms that produce the milk needed for this manufacturing.
"It is estimated that Missouri imports 55 truckloads of milk a day into the state to meet processing needs. The milk comes from neighboring states like Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas and others. The inefficiencies driven by the increased costs of transportation, as well as other factors, led to recent closures of processing facilities in the state.
"A strong dairy producer segment is vitally important to maintain the processing sector," said Benefiel.
"A second important facet of the Missouri Dairy Revitalization Act promotes higher education for our youth by way of 80 proposed scholarships of $5,000 apiece for students majoring in agriculture and working three months on a dairy farm for every year of their scholarship," said Dr. Scott Brown of the University of Missouri.
Also speaking in favor of the override of the Governor's veto were Missouri Senator Mike Kehoe (District 6) from Jefferson City, and Missouri Representatives Casey Guernsey (District 2) of Bethany and Bill Reiboldt (District 160) of Neosho.
9.2.2014