February 11, 2010

Training session will prepare McDonald County producers for ag emergencies

McDonald County Meeting - Feb. 23

Livestock and poultry producers in the McDonald County area are encouraged to attend a free training seminar, sponsored by the Missouri Department of Agriculture, focused on preparing for agricultural emergencies. The Biosecurity Planning Session, one of a series of training seminars, will educate producers about the fundamental concepts of biosecurity and help farmers begin the process of developing a producer-specific plan. 

"These planning and response sessions are critical in preparing Missouri producers in the event of an ag emergency," said Director of Agriculture Dr. Jon Hagler. "We want Missouri farmers and others to have all the information they might need to prepare for a bioemergency."   

The one-hour presentation will focus on the benefits of implementing a livestock or poultry biosecurity plan, provide attendees information that will allow them to assess the risks on their own operations and provide materials to assist them in developing a plan.

The McDonald County session is scheduled for Tues., Feb. 23 from 6-8 p.m. at the McDonald County Fair Barn at 100 Mustang Drive in Anderson.

The educational sessions are free and open to the public and meals are served at each meeting. To RSVP for the McDonald County event, contact (800) 897-1163, ext. 35 or moagproducers@ses-corp.com. For more information about the program and upcoming meetings, contact Amy Luecke, Department of Agriculture's Animal Health Division, at (573) 526-2090.