Missouri House Bill That Would Have Required GMO or mRNA Labeling Killed

 A bill that would have required labeling of any product treated with mRNA was defeated in committee in the Missouri House. The bill, HB 1169, would have required that any product that acts as, or exposed to processes that could have resulted in the product acting as a gene therapy, introduce genetic material, or a genetic change into the user of the product be labeled with the words, “Potential Gene Therapy Product.” If a product was known to be a gene therapy product, the product would have had to be labeled with the words, “Gene Therapy Product.”

Upon written request, any entity that produces, sells, or distributes a product with the capacity to infect an individual with a disease or expose an individual to certain genetically modified material would have had to provide all information by which people could be exposed. Any entity which makes a product available that could infect, transmit to, or be absorbed in a way that would act as a medical intervention, vaccine, drug, or genetic modification would have had to obtain fully informed consent from consumers.

The bill would have covered anything from food to cosmetics.

Local legislators were split on the bill. State Rep. Mazzie Boyd, who represents Worth and Harrison counties, was listed as a co-sponsor. Rep. Jeff Farnan, who represents Nodaway and Gentry counties, who was on the committee that heard the bill, voted against it. The bill died in committee 10-4.

Pro – Tom Renz, Townhall 

Tom Renz, a Twitter influencer who also has a Substack account at tomrenz.substack.com, wrote in a Substack post on April 5th that the bill would have been the country’s best chance of stopping what he said was a nightmare scenario where “people’s genetics are potentially altered with ‘factory foods’ without them even knowing.” He argued that there were backdoor efforts underway as early as 2013 to genetically modify foods in order to become edible vaccines.

He argued that there were too many unknown effects with mRNA and no long-term studies not to safeguard the public by creating informed consent. 

Mr. Renz noted that the bill did not ban anything. “All it does is require labeling of products that can alter your genetics, require companies share info on transmissibility of gene altering interventions, and that fully informed consent be given for any vaccine, gene therapy, or medical intervention. So why are the RINOs in Missouri, lead by the Democrats and Republican House Speaker Dean Plocher are trying to slow-walk this bill through committee to prevent it from being approved this session,” he wrote.

Kimberly Fletcher, writing in Townhall, a conservative website on April 14th, said that given what she saw as the failure of COVID-19 vaccine mandates that Big Pharma was using the food supply as a backdoor effort to distribute mRNA vaccines. Pointing out that many large organizations were lobbying against HB 1169, she wrote, “If these substances were not going into our food supply, why are the lobbyists pitching a fit? The level of outrage among agricultural associations and professional lobbyist groups suggests that this is a very big deal.”

Con – By the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association

In a major win for Missouri farmers and ranchers, the Missouri House Committee on Emerging Issues voted down H.B. 1169, sponsored by Rep. Holly Jones (R-88), on Wednesday, April 19, 2023. According to the Missouri Cattlemen's Association, the legislation would have devalued Missouri cattle by requiring all beef derived from Missouri cattle to include labels regarding what vaccines the cattle received throughout the animal's life. The legislation would have applied to Missouri cattle only.

"This was the most poorly drafted piece of legislation I have seen in my career," said MCA Executive Vice President Mike Deering. "If passed, this careless piece of legislation would have devalued Missouri agricultural commodities for absolutely no reason. Given that 98 percent of the calves in Missouri are exported to other states for finishing and processing, this legislation truly would have been a train wreck for Missouri cattle producers. The out-of-state attorney pushing this legislation showed complete disregard for the farm and ranch families in this state."

The legislation went far beyond vaccines in livestock. It also targeted genetically modified corn and soybeans. According to the Missouri Soybean Association, meat derived from livestock fed corn or soybeans would have been required to be labeled as "potential gene therapy," which is contrary to science. The legislation included no definitions on gene therapy and would have exposed farmers and ranchers to an onslaught of litigation.

In addition to MCA and the Missouri Soybean Association, the legislation was also opposed by Missouri Corn Growers Association; Missouri Pork Producers; Missouri Farm Bureau; Missouri Chamber of Commerce; and more.

"This anti-science legislation would have exponentially driven up food prices, set up the potential for massive lawsuits and had a chilling effect on economic development in the state," according to a letter penned by the Missouri Chamber of Commerce.

The legislation failed with a 10-4 bipartisan vote effectively ending any hope for the legislation in 2023. The legislators who stood with Missouri farmers and ranchers were Reps. Dane Diehl (R-125); Ashley Aune (D-14); Jeff Farnan (R-1); Sherri Gallick (R-62); Mike Haffner (R-55); Dave Hinman (R-103); Josh Hurlbert (R-8); Jamie Johnson (D-12); Doug Mann (D-50); and David Tyson Smith (D-46). The legislation was supported by the bill sponsor, Reps. Bishop Davidson; Bill Hardwick (R-121) and Adam Schnelting (R-69).

Soybean & Corn Growers Meeting January 23rd

The Missouri Corn Growers Association and Missouri Soybean Association will be holding an information meeting for local growers. The meeting is scheduled for Monday, January 23, beginning with registration at 8:15AM. The meeting will be held at the Ramada Inn in St. Joseph and the meeting will begin at 9AM. The meeting is open to all growers and growers of surrounding states.
The keynote speaker of the meeting will be Dan Basse, president of Ag Resource, from Chicago. This is a great opportunity to hear what is happening in the markets and what to look for the coming year. His company is recognized as one of the worlds leading market services.
The program starts with a legislative update by Congressman Graves. This is a great opportunity to obtain an update of what is happening in Washington and what issues the Congress will be dealing with.
Next will be Dr. Tamara Jackson, University of Nebraska Plant Pathologists, will discuss Goss’s wilt and provide a corn fungicide update. Goss’s wilt is a devastating corn disease that is moving eastward.
Estate law changes are important with land ownership. Steven Briggs, Attorney of Law will discuss changes and provide an update.
Recovery and management of flooded soils will be next on the program. The topic will be handled by Wayne Flanary, Regional Agronomist, University of Missouri Extension.
Gary Marshall and Gary Wheeler with the Missouri Corn Growers will provide an update on work that is being conducted by the organization for its members.
After lunch provided by area agricultural business sponsors, Alan Dutcher, University of Nebraska Climatologist will provide insight into the 2012 weather and its impact on growing season. Our keynote speaker, Dan Basse, will be last on the program providing opportunity now only for informative presentation but also an opportunity of growers to ask questions.
For more information, contact Morris Heitman at 660-442-3726, Missouri Corn Growers Association Board member or Kevin Hurst at 660-736-4894, Missouri Corn Merchandising Council Board Member.

Opinion: McCaskill, Blunt Take Stand on Ethanol

The Missouri Corn Growers Association (MCGA) today applauds the strong support of Sens. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) and Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) for votingin unison against an amendment submitted by Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) to immediatelyrepeal the federal ethanol tax credit. In addition to defeating the anti-ethanolamendment, Missouri's senators have signed on as co-sponsors of the Ethanol Reformand Deficit Reduction Act introduced yesterday by Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.)."We want to thank Missouri's senators for their strong leadership in stopping Sen.Coburn's anti-ethanol antics and moving new domestic energy policies forward," says MCGA CEO Gary Marshall. "Not only is ethanol adding to the federal budget througheconomic development and tax revenue, we are fighting to keep American jobs and dollars here at home instead of sending them overseas. If Sen. Coburn was serious about lowering the federal budget, he would stop his political posturing and propose eliminating the billions of dollars in oil subsidies."The Ethanol Reform and Deficit Reduction Act, supported by Sens. McCaskill and Blunt, would end the current ethanol tax incentive given to petroleum marketers on July 1 and replace it with a variable tax credit tied to the price of oil. It would also extend the small producer ethanol credit through 2014. The legislation is projected to generate a savings of $2.5 billion with $1 billion dedicated to deficitreduction and $1.5 billion to ethanol infrastructure. "This is proactive domestic energy policy aimed at reducing our nation's deficit while revitalizing energy infrastructure," says MCGA President Kenny McNamar, a corn and cattle farmer from Gorin, Mo. "The Ethanol Reform and Deficit Reduction Act is a solid compromise for moving the ethanol industry forward in a crumbling budget environment and establishing a new pathway for the continued production of Missouri-made fuel. "This proposal comes after months of discussions within the corn and ethanol industries to reform the existing Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Credit (VEETC) included in the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004. The Thune-Klobuchar bill introduced yesterday establishes a variable tax credit that is triggered when oil prices drop below $90 dollars per barrel, providing no credit when oil prices are high and a limited credit when oil prices are low."Missouri corn growers can be proud that our senators understand, fully support and are committed to reducing our country's addiction to foreign oil through the continued use of renewable fuels such as corn-based ethanol," McNamar said.Missouri is home to six majority farmer-owned ethanol plants with production capacity exceeding 280 million gallons annually. To learn more about Missouri's growing corn and ethanol industries, visit www.mocorn.org.

Corn Growers On Display in Nation's Capitol

Missouri corn farmers joined growers across the nation today to launch a summer educational campaign designed to bring the message of modern family farmers to Washington, D.C. The kick off marks the third year members of the Corn Farmers Coalition have reached out to policymakers, opinion leaders and consumers inside the Beltway to showcase the corn industry and its positive contributions to the U.S. economy.

"As corn growers, we need to keep sharing our stories and experiences with the people making decisions that impact our daily lives," says Billy Thiel, Missouri Corn Merchandising Council (MCMC) chairman from Marshall, Mo., and one of the farmers featured in the campaign. "We want people to better understand how advancements in today's farming practices are helping corn growers produce a safe, abundant crop for families all over the world."

The Corn Farmers Coalition's newest advertising campaign displays prominent facts about the corn industry in Capitol Hill publications, radio, online and the Metro and Reagan National Airport. Designed to provide information on productivity and environmental advancements, the popular initiative showcasing corn farmers and their families will continue until Congress recesses in August.

Corn growers will also meet with members of Congress, environmental groups and others to discuss modern advancements in the corn industry. The main topics center on how U.S. farmers are using the latest technology to expand corn production capabilities, preserve the land and provide a strong economic baseline in a struggling economy.

"The science and technology corn farmers are using today help meet the needs of a growing population," Thiel says. "When I first started farming in 1974, if we harvested 125 bushels of corn per acre it was considered an excellent crop. Today, 200 bushels per acre is more the norm than the exception. Compared to how my father farmed, we are growing more corn on fewer acres using less water and nutrients. These are some of the great success stories we need to be sharing."

MCMC joined 13 other corn associations and the National Corn Growers Association to establish the Corn Farmers Coalition. To view this year's Corn Farmers Coalition ads, or learn more, visit http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=jjm596bab&et=1105771180960&s=844&e=0011w_sRhc8BpfHT9vbBaQXiODej30W4qSkbXU4bn8wujONbR66cO7ItPY9W5CeP0x0p22bPY001Se0muuUtcgRwN_sxJJniB2OAJcsfea85-ThxaROSR0k1iYfOHtRAhT8 For more information on Missouri's corn crop and the farmers who produce it, click on http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=jjm596bab&et=1105771180960&s=844&e=0011w_sRhc8BpfJy8cRU6ZZ33m_CGqlLiCkzdKhtVEKak8pULrlNUf4-dGAfxgQhaXR7HjRjO7CNoSus1IBE_KWQiWbFiFhdatluRarbEeHKDc=.

Austin Thummel Gets Corn Scholarship

The Missouri Corn Scholarship Committee is pleased to award Austin Thummel a 2011 Missouri Corn Scholarship. Austin will receive a $750scholarship from the Missouri Corn Growers Association and the Missouri Corn Merchandising Council
to help pay for his continuing education. Austin is the son of Jeff and Deb Thummel of Sheridan, Mo. He is a senior at Worth County High School and plans to attend Northwest Missouri State University where he will study agronomy.

This is the fifteenth year Missouri Corn Scholarships have been available for high
school and college students. High school applicants must be in their senior year
and Missouri residents from a Missouri farm or rural area. They must also plan
to attend a two-year or four-year Missouri college or university and major in agronomy or related subject. College applicants must also be Missouri residents from a Missouri farm or rural area and be a junior enrolled in a Missouri four-year college or university majoring in the field of agronomy or related subject.

Applications for the 2012 Missouri Corn Scholarship program will be available online
after Dec. 15, 2011.

CORN GROWERS ANSWERING MARKET DEMAND AT HISTORIC LEVELS

Responding to increasing demand and stronger market prices nationwide, corn growers are embarking on the second highest corn planting season since 1944. This is according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Prospective Plantings report released this morning. "Today's report reaffirms that corn growers make their planting decisions based on the market," said Gary Marshall, chief executive officer with the Missouri Corn Growers Association and Missouri Corn Merchandising Council. "If the weather cooperates, Missouri could be looking at 300,000 additional corn acres over last year's crop, proving corn farmers are working hard to meet the needs of all our customers." According to the highly anticipated report, Missouri farmers are expected to plant 3.3 million acres in 2011. This is the highest planted acreage since 2007 and the state's second largest intended corn crop since 1971. Nationwide, corn growers are expected to plant 92.2 million acres, an increase of 5 percent from last year. In 2010, U.S. farmers brought in the third largest corn crop in history at 12.4 billion bushels. According to the USDA, Missouri corn growers harvested 3 million acres last year, producing 369 million bushels of corn with a base value of more than $2 billion to the state's economy. "In Missouri, corn farmers have a history of exceeding the state's corn demand," Marshall says. "Last year, almost one-third of Missouri's corn crop was exported beyond our borders. If we produce along trend line yields, and if Mother Nature cooperates, we anticipate another record-breaking crop."

Missouri Corngrowers Scholarship Deadline Approaching

Agriculture students throughout Missouri have less than one month to complete their applications for the 2011 Missouri Corn Scholarship Program. High school and college students interested in a career in agronomy or other agriculture-related field must submit the necessary forms no later than Feb. 11 to be eligible for one of ten $750 scholarships sponsored by the Missouri Corn Growers Association and the Missouri Corn Merchandising Council.

Missouri Corn Scholarship applications are available for download from Missouri Corn Online or by calling (800) 827-4181. Documents, including an application form, official high school or college transcript and at least one letter of recommendation, must be postmarked by Feb. 11 to be considered eligible. Applications received by fax or e-mail will not be submitted to the Missouri Corn Scholarship Committee for review.

High school senior applicants must be Missouri residents from a farm or rural area. They must plan to attend a two-year or four-year Missouri college or university and major in agronomy or an agriculture-related field. The scholarship funds will apply toward the freshman year of college expenses for high school winners.

College applicants must also be Missouri residents from a farm or rural area and currently a junior enrolled in a Missouri four-year college or university majoring in agronomy or an agriculture-related field. The scholarship funds will apply toward the senior year of expenses for college winners.

Applications will be reviewed by the Missouri Corn Scholarship Committee and recipients will be notified by mail on or before April 15, 2011. To learn more about Missouri Corn programs, please visit www.mocorn.org.

Opinion: Corn Farmers Fight to Set the Record Straight

Opinions do not necessarily reflect those of the Sheridan Express

by the Missouri Corn Growers Association
Earlier this year, food processors, retailers and other critics blamed corn-based ethanol for rising grain prices and increased costs in the grocery aisle. Today those same critics have egg on their face as food prices remain high despite plunging commodity markets.
"Corn is selling under the cost of production, yet the price at the grocery store remains the same," said Keith Witt, Missouri Corn Merchandising Council chairman and farmer from Warrenton, Mo. "Judging by the record profits and smaller packaging, the motive of big food companies is crystal clear. Their focus is on their bottom line - at the expense of farmers and consumers."
These big food companies are blaming ethanol all the way to the bank. This quarter alone, Kraft boasted a net income of $1.4 billion - more than double last year's results. Sales at Kellogg's climbed 9.5 percent and third-quarter net income increased from $305 million last year to $342 million this year.
Targeting farmers and the ethanol industry, organizations such as the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) and the National Restaurant Association have repeatedly blamed higher food prices on biofuels. But according to the United States Department of Agriculture, the farm value of products producers supply to manufacturers accounts for only 19 cents of every dollar of processed food.
"The price of corn and other commodities equals less than two dimes of every food dollar," said Witt. "Since these slanderous allegations were made, commodity prices have dropped nearly in half, ethanol production continues to expand, but the price of corn flakes remains the same."
Studies from Purdue University, Texas A&M, the White House Council of Economic Advisers, Iowa State University, etc. have all concluded the price of oil, not ethanol, was the major driver behind food price increases. Commodity speculation, a declining dollar and an increasing middle class in China, India and other markets also played a role.
"Consumers deserve the truth and America's farmers deserve an apology," Witt concluded.
The Missouri Corn Merchandising Council has launched a series of radio ads to help educate consumers on the "sticky pricing" in today's food industry. Available in 60 and 30-second versions, the ads question how grain prices have dropped, yet food prices remain the same, therefore eliminating the blame ethanol has unfairly been given.
For more information regarding food and fuel visit, www.mocorn.org and click on the Food and Fuel icon.

Opinion: Repealing Renewable Fuel Standard Costly

Opinions are the views of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Sheridan Express.

Repealing the Missouri Renewable Fuel Standard (MoRFS) would have costly consequences for Missouri drivers, Missouri Corn Growers Association (MCGA) CEO cautions.
"While recent misleading political proposals claim that repealing the statewide ethanol standard would lower fuel and food prices, the effect would be quite the opposite," says MCGA Chief Executive Officer Gary Marshall. "Simple economics dictate that increasing supply helps reduce price. Utilizing a fuel produced and refined in Missouri is part of the reason our state has some of the lowest gas prices in the nation."
The Missouri Renewable Fuel Standard requires gasoline to be blended with 10 percent ethanol when ethanol is cheaper than conventional gasoline. This price provision means ethanol cannot increase the cost to consumers, Marshall said.
A wide range of independent economists confirm the savings ethanol is providing to Missouri drivers. A study by Iowa State University's Center for Agriculture & Rural Development concluded Midwest states are saving 39 cents a gallon on gasoline due to the additional supply ethanol adds to the fuel market. Merrill Lynch commodity strategist Francisco Blanch estimated higher savings, with ethanol reducing prices by approximately 15 percent, or 60 to 70 cents per gallon.
"By adding an American-made product to the strained fuel chain, ethanol is holding prices down by at least 40 cents a gallon," emphasized Marshall. "Those who blame ethanol for skyrocketing food and fuel costs are not basing their arguments on all the facts."
Despite what some political ads claim, recent reports point to escalating energy costs as the predominant driver in increased food prices. According to figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, while households are facing a 23 percent increase in their total food costs, they are facing a 335 percent increase in their gasoline costs since 2002.
"If fuel prices had increased at the same rate as food, we would only be paying $1.39 per gallon for gasoline," Marshall says. "And while grocery bills are going up due mainly to increasing transportation, labor and marketing expenses, Missouri's food costs remain inline with other neighboring states. The hype is just that - hype."
To learn more about corn and ethanol production in Missouri, or to find additional facts on food and fuel, visit Missouri Corn Online at www.mocorn.org.

Group says Gas Prices Higher without Ethanol

--Missouri Corn Growers Association
A study released today confirms Missouri drivers are saving money at the pump thanks to ethanol. The research results were announced at a press conference in the State Capitol and concluded that drivers in Missouri are expected to save an average of 9.8 cents per gallon due to the 10 percent ethanol standard that went into effect Jan. 1, 2008.
According to the Energy Information Administration (EIA), Missouri drivers used over 2.9 billion gallons of gasoline in 2007. With nearly a dime a gallon difference, using ethanol-blended fuels translates to statewide savings of more than $285 million dollars in 2008. The study, "Impact of Ethanol on Retail Gasoline Prices in Missouri," was performed by John Urbanchuk with the economic consulting service LECG and paid for by the Missouri Corn Merchandising Council.
"With petroleum industry profits of $123 billion and fuel prices spiking 40 percent in the last four months, the pain at the pump is getting intense," said Jayne Glosemeyer, Missouri Corn Merchandising Council chairwoman and farmer from Marthasville, Mo. "The implementation of the Missouri Renewable Fuel Standard, blending the state's gasoline with 10 percent ethanol, is the one thing helping to ease the pain. It is keeping money in consumers' pockets and keeping dollars here at home."
The savings and projections in the study were estimated using 2007 gasoline price data at the rack and retail levels for Missouri published by EIA and ethanol price data published weekly by USDA. Gasoline and ethanol price projections were estimated using information published by EIA in its 2008 Annual Energy Outlook.
The study does not factor in the increasing use of biofuels like ethanol that are helping to extend gasoline supplies and hold retail pump prices down. According to Merrill Lynch commodity strategist Francisco Blanch, U.S. gas prices would be 15 percent higher without the increasing effect of biofuels. Without ethanol, the price at the pump would be $3.70 a gallon instead of the recent average price of $3.25 a gallon.
"If you add the 10 cents drivers are saving from ethanol and the 45 cents from additional supply, Missouri consumers are saving 55 cents a gallon. That's a huge deal," stresses Glosemeyer. "It's especially huge when you consider we use 3 billion gallons of gasoline in this state every year. And all those savings are staying here in Missouri. That's money we're keeping here and not sending overseas to pay for imported oil."
With over 70 percent of Missouri's fuel supply containing 10 percent ethanol in 2007, few problems were observed when the Missouri Renewable Fuel Standard kicked into on Jan. 1, 2008. The standard includes a consumer safety net, requiring the E10 blend only when the price of ethanol is less than regular gasoline. Missouri is one of three states to have a renewable fuel standard in place and the first to have this unique pricing mechanism.
"Consumers are still hurting at the pump, but it is nice to know ethanol is helping to ease that burden," said Glosemeyer.