Agriculture leaving Missouri

To the editor:As long as the debate about who controls regulations on livestock operations continues, agriculture will leave Missouri behind. While regulations increase in Missouri, livestock operations grow in other states.

Take, for instance, Missouri's dairy industry. It is in a free fall. In 1975, Missouri had 302,000 dairy cows. Today it has 114,000. Likewise, the number of dairy farms has dropped significantly from 21,000 to 2,700. In 1995, Missouri ranked 14th in dairy production; now it ranks 21st.

This has had devastating effects on the infrastructure supporting dairy in Missouri. Eleven dairy plants have closed. Other dairy suppliers are going out of business because of lack of customers, and the number of large animal veterinarians and extension dairy specialists has declined dramatically, leaving the remaining dairy producers paying more for hauling, supplies and services.

National experts say there is a perception that Missouri's environmental regulations are too strict. The 16 counties enacting county regulations have added to this perception in spades.

If Missouri's own dairy producers who want to grow their business are going to survive, they must be in an environment that allows expansion to happen. Adding another layer of regulation does not contribute to a positive environment.

Complying with Missouri and federal regulations is tough enough. Let's not force agriculture to leave Missouri behind.

I encourage you to support the Missouri Farm and Food Preservation Act.

DAVE DRENNAN, Executive Director, Missouri Dairy Association, Jefferson City, Mo.