Senate bill could raise utility rates for Missourians

By Ellie Coatar
(MDN News) -- Officials from Missouri's biggest power companies told a Senate panel on Tuesday, Feb. 5, that they need more cash for infrastructure upgrades, with that money potentially coming out of the pockets of Missourians.

The legislation, sponsored by Sen. Mike Kehoe, R-Jefferson City, would enable a rate increase to fund improvements to the electrical infrastructure that would allow utility companies to raise rates. The measure is largely supported by an electric alliance formed among Ameren Missouri, Kansas City Power & Light and The Empire District Electric Company.

Warner Baxter, Ameren's president and chief executive officer, told members of the Senate Commerce Committee Tuesday that the proposal would create jobs for thousands of Missourians. An Ameren study found that the bill will cause about a 50-cent increase for average residential electrical consumers.

Consumer advocate groups that oppose the bill, such as Missouri Industrial Energy Consumers, worry that the increased rates will negatively affect Missourians, especially the elderly, those with disabilities and low-wage workers.

Steve Spinner, the chairman of Missouri Industrial Energy Consumers, said the power companies are trying to go around state regulators and use the General Assembly to get their money. Spinner is also the manager of energy procurement at Monsanto.

"Streamlining the regulatory process is the goal of all regulated monopolies and it only benefits utilities, allowing them to get into the pockets of ratepayers faster with less oversight and less recourse," Spinner said.

The committee has not yet voted on the bill.

Missouri Farmers Support local schools through Second Annual America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education

For the second consecutive year, America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education ^SM, sponsored by the Monsanto Fund, will give Missouri farmers the opportunity to enhance math and science programs in their communities. Now until April 15, 2013, farmers can nominate a local public school district to compete for a merit-based grant of up to $25,000. Administrators of nominated school districts may then submit grant applications through April 30, 2013. This year, the program expands to 26 new counties, for a total of 1,271 eligible counties across 39 states.   

The America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education program is part of a broad commitment by the Monsanto Fund to highlight the important contributions farmers make every day to society.  Following a successful pilot in Minnesota and Illinois, America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education debuted nationally last year, awarding $2.3 million to school districts coast to coast.

“We believe engaging rural youth in their math and science studies lays the foundation for a bright future,” said Deborah Patterson, Monsanto Fund president. “This generation is the future of agriculture, and funding from the Grow Rural Education program helps ensure they are ready to be the next great leaders.”

Eligible farmers can nominate their favorite public school district by visiting www.GrowRuralEducation.com and following the “Nominate Now” link on the top, left-hand corner of the page. Farmers may also nominate a school district by calling 1-877-267-3332.

In 2012, the following Missouri school districts received a total of $155,000 to enhance math and science curriculums:

·         Community R-VI , $10,000

·         Johnson County R-VII, $25,000

·         Liberal R-II, $10,000

·         Lone Jack C-6, $10,000

·         Miami R-I, $10,000

·         Monroe City R-I, $25,000

·         Northeast Nodaway County R-V, $10,000

·         Oak Ridge R-VI, $10,000

·         Orrick, $25,000

·         Pleasant View R-VI, $10,000

·         Strain-Japan R-XVI, $10,000

Thanks to Grow Rural Education, 2012 winner Community R-VI School District was able purchase grow carts, probes and sensors for its advanced science classes.

 “This was a great opportunity for us to do some things we couldn't do before the grant,” said Cheryl Mack, Community R-VI superintendent. “We appreciate the support we received from local farmers. I am overwhelmed with how much they help the school and our students' education.” 

Grants will be awarded by the Monsanto Fund based on merit, need and community support. The America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education Advisory Council, a group of 30 farmer leaders from across the country, will select the winning grant applications.  Advisory Council members were selected based on their passion for agriculture and education, as well as experience in rural school districts.

America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education is part of the Monsanto Fund’s overall effort to strengthen America’s farming communities. Another program that is part of this effort is America’s Farmers Grow Communities, which gives winning farmers the opportunity to direct a $2,500 donation to a community nonprofit organization in their county.
                For more information about the America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education program and to view the official rules, visit www.GrowRuralEducation.com. To read more about the 2013 Grow Rural Education launch, and to view the 2013 launch video, please visit http://www.prweb.com/releases/2013/1/prweb10308518.htm.

Worth County Farmer Wins $2,500 for Worth County 4-H Through America’s Farmers Grow Communities Program

Brett Hardy of Grant City has been selected as a winner in Monsanto's America's Farmers Grow Communities program, which gives farmers the opportunity to win $2,500 for their favorite local nonprofit organizations. The donations are available through the Monsanto Fund. Hardy has designated the Worth County 4-H to receive the award in Worth County.

Worth County 4-H, Hardy, and a Monsanto representative will participate in a check presentation ceremony March 29th at 4 p.m. at the Worth County Courthouse in the main lobby.

In more than 1,200 eligible communities, farmers can win $2,500 for their favorite community nonprofit. The Monsanto Fund expects to invest more than $3 million in local communities. America's Farmers Grow Communities is a part of a broad commitment by the Monsanto Fund to highlight the important contributions farmers make every day to our society by helping them grow their local communities. To date, more than 60,000 farmers participated in the program, which is designed to benefit non-profit groups such as ag youth, schools, and other civic organizations. For more information, visit www.growcommunities.com.

Monsanto to Present $2,500 Check to Worth County 4-H

The Monsanto Corp has finally set a date for the check presentation to the Worth
County 4-H Council.  We were very pleased to find out we were nominated by Hardy
Farms to receive $2500.00 from the Monsanto "America's Farmers Grow Communities".  I
hope you will be able to join us on March 29th (Tues.) at 4 p.m. in the Court House
Lobby for this exciting presentation.  We would like Monsanto to know that not only
is the grant a welcome addition to 4-H, but to the community.   Please join us for
this celebration.  Thank you.

Drought Tolerant Corn

Drought Tolerant Corn

Several years ago, seed companies started visiting with local growers telling them that hybrids with increased drought tolerance will be introduced into the marketplace. Now, products are being tested by companies in Midwest farm fields.

Monsanto and DuPont are the companies that are bringing these new products to the market. They are looking at the use of these products in drier climates such as Kansas and Nebraska. This will reduce the cost of irrigation in those areas.

In Missouri, there are typically areas of drought. However, the last two years have been wetter than normal. Droughty soils located on eroded hillsides derived from glacial till, sandy soils along with those which have rooting restrictions can all impact corn yields during dry seasons. These are areas which potentially these products can improve corn yields.

There are other questions as these products move into the marketplace? How will these new corn hybrids perform without drought? Will increased populations of drought tolerant hybrids increase yields without dry conditions?

The Extension Service will know more when companies release products to the Universities to test. These new products seem to be tightly guarded by companies without any University testing at this point.

As we look to the future, there seems like a lot of un-knowns. How will the expansion of the corn market affect the use for corn? What will be the impact on corn prices and what will be the cost of these new products? What will be the impact of yields for area growers?

Agricultural technology continues to increase yields and continues to feed the world. It’s an exciting time to be in the field of agriculture and look forward to the future.

For more information, contact Wayne Flanary at 660-446-3724 or Heather Benedict at 660-425-6434, Regional Agronomists, University of Missouri Extension.