A $30 million beef tax credit is buried among a number of tax credits and incentives included in the $100 million-plus economic development bill, HB 327, Governor Blunt has yet to sign. Rep. Charlie Schlottach (R-Owensville) says the credit will provide an incentive to fatten calves here rather than sell them to out-of-state feedlots.

Missouri is the number two cow-calf state in the country; a $1 billion industry. Most calves, though, are shipped out-of-state to fatten and finish. Schlottach believes that if enough producers fatten, finish and process more cattle here the industry can grow to a $4 billion industry. Schlottach says a University of Missouri study indicates that for every one thousand calves fattened, six jobs will be added to the state workforce.

Source: Missourinet.com