ST. FRANCOIS COUNTY, Mo. – Congressman Jason Smith (MO-08) visited Thomure Land & Cattle in St. Francois County last week, touring the operation and meeting with Chip and Linda Thomure to discuss the challenges facing Missouri’s cattle producers. 

Congressman Smith said, “Chip and Linda have built an impressive cattle operation through years of hard work and dedication, and it’s the same kind of commitment I see all across our district’s cattle country. Their custom cattle mineral is a perfect example of the kind of innovation that keeps Missouri ranchers ahead of the curve. I’m committed to making sure Missouri ranchers have the support they need to keep doing what they do best, which is exactly why I fought to include the ACRE Act in the Working Families Tax Cuts — to help lower borrowing costs for ranchers like the Thomures.”

Chip and Linda Thomure operate Thomure Land & Cattle across St. Francois, Ste. Genevieve, and Madison Counties, where they run a commercial cattle operation of about 500 pairs and 20 bulls. Chip has also spent 30 years in the concrete business, while Linda operates several Airbnb properties on and around the farm.

During the visit, the Thomures raised concerns about high interest rates on farm loans, particularly for ranchers working to recover from the flooding that hit the region hard in early July. Congressman Smith encouraged producers who suffered livestock or property losses in the flooding to contact their local Farm Service Agency office to determine their eligibility for programs such as the Livestock Indemnity Program, the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish program, and the Emergency Conservation Program.

The Working Families Tax Cuts, which Congressman Smith authored, included the ACRE Act to lower the cost of borrowing for America’s farmers, along with permanent 100 percent immediate expensing, the small business deduction, and doubled small business expensing thresholds that help ranchers like the Thomures reinvest in their operations. Congressman Smith also continues to push USDA for stronger support on emerging animal health threats, including New World Screwworm and Theileria — both of which pose risk to Missouri’s cattle herds.