Beef producers across Missouri have a new opportunity to expand their operations through a state grant program that offers up to $40,000 in funding for facility upgrades, herd expansion and breeding technologies. The Missouri Agricultural and Small Business Development Authority (MASBDA) launched the Beef Producer Grant Program to strengthen established herds and increase production among both commercial and small purebred operations. University of Missouri Extension Livestock Specialist Shelby Jenkins recently shared information about the grant during a Ray County Commissioners meeting, encouraging local producers to take advantage of the program before the application deadline. “MASBDA has actually put out a program for different beef producers and so this grant can offer up to $40,000 to help beef producers expand,” said Jenkins. “They have some rules on what they’re allowing, but it even includes heifers, like buying more heifers for herd expansion and different things like that…