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Soybean Farmers Urge Legislators
to Reject FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 22, 2010 JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Missouri Soybean Association (MSA) is asking state legislators to reject a decision made by the Missouri Tax Commission to increase land valuations for productive cropland. The Tax Commission’s decision would raise taxes by an average of 11.5 percent on farmland statewide and as high as 29 percent on the state’s most productive agricultural lands. Missouri has eight grades of farmland and each farm’s classification depends on its potential productivity. Grade 1 land holds the highest value and Grade 8 land is considered to hold the lowest value. All farmland in the top four classifications would be subject to a 29 percent tax hike. “The timing of this decision is poor at best,” said MSA President Kelly Forck, who farms in Cole County. “We are already facing record production expenses due to higher fuel, fertilizer and seed costs. Combine that with the extreme volatility we’ve recently seen in commodity prices and it creates a situation where some farmers are struggling with debt and cash flow.” Sen. Bill Stouffer (R-Napton) presented a resolution to reject the Tax Commission’s decision to the Senate Rules Committee on Tuesday. "There is rarely a good time for a tax increase, but some times are even worse than others," Stouffer said. "I disagree with the timing of a 29 percent tax increase on any Missourian, not just landowners.” Sen. Jason Crowell (R-Cape Girardeau) is also sponsoring a resolution to reject the increased tax on farmland. Crowell said he and Stouffer will work together on the issue. “ Farmers are the backbone of Missouri's economy, and it is the state's job to provide every avenue possible for farmers to succeed, not to create roadblocks,” Crowell said. “The General Assembly should not stand by as farmers are expected to bear more costs.” The Missouri Legislature has until March 4 to reject the proposed tax increases. If no action is taken, the increase will be effective Jan. 1, 2011. MSA is a membership organization comprised of more than 1,700 farmers from across the state. The MSA works to communicate challenges facing soybean farmers to legislators at both the state and national level. MSA is directed by a volunteer board of 16 farmer leaders. ###
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© Missouri Soybean Programs |