Christmas came early for the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association (MCA) after the Missouri Tax Commission voted to not increase property taxes for tillable land and a 7 percent decrease in taxes for pasture ground (classified as grades 5-7). Land classified as grade 8 received a 3 percent decrease.
MCA Executive Vice President Mike Deering said the three-member Missouri State Tax Commission sent a signal to all Missourians that the Commission wants to advance Missouri agriculture.
“We want to be the first to applaud the Missouri State Tax Commission on their decision to do everything within their power to encourage growth and expansion in Missouri agriculture,” said Deering. “Agriculture is the state’s economic backbone – the single largest industry in the state generating more than 88 billion dollars annually. There is room for growth and the Commission gets it.”
MCA President-Elect Greg Buckman, who testified on behalf of MCA at the “Agricultural Land Productivity Hearing” on December 5, 2017, said the Commission took a “huge” step to help minimize the tax burden on Missouri farm and ranch families.
“This decision helps create an environment conducive to growth and expansion in the beef cattle sector and in all of Missouri agriculture,” said Buckman. “We are up to the challenge. We are prepared to provide more safe, affordable, and nutritious food raised right here in Missouri.”
The Commission is required by state statute to review farm and ranch productivity values every two years and are tasked with deciding whether or not to recommend an increase to the tax rate. MCA President Butch Meier stated that MCA members were well represented in this process and were a driving force in sharing the realities of Missouri’s vibrant beef cattle industry with the Commission.
“MCA members need to know that this association does not and will not sit on the sidelines when it comes to advancing this industry,” said Meier. “We made their voice heard and we have a Commission that listened.”
