May 11, 2017
WHITE
A five-minute summary of AAI, regulation, and industry activities for members of the largest state agribusiness association in the nation.
In This Issue
AAI IN ACTION
 
US Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue Visits Iowa


Last Friday's visit to Iowa by US Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue included an invitation only luncheon for leaders of some of Iowa's ag groups. AAI CEO Joel Brinkmeyer and AAI Board Chair Dave Tierney attended on behalf of the association.

During the luncheon and discussion, Perdue answered questions from the leaders in attendance. Perdue emphasized the partnership between the US Department of Agriculture and the agriculture community in the US. He also stated trade and international promotion of US ag products are high priority items as well as making sure USDA supports agriculture instead of making it harder to produce ag products.

Watch Perdue's visit to Iowa on the  Agribusiness Report

ASTA Meets with Iowa Seed and AAI Leadership


On May 9, the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) hosted a meeting of grower groups, seed companies, and government officials from Iowa and surrounding states to discuss a collaborative approach to addressing Palmer amaranth and other weed seed issues. The meeting, which took place at the Agribusiness Association of Iowa (AAI) home office in Des Moines, Iowa, served as a productive information-exchange and strategic dialog about potential short- and long-term solutions.

AAI CEO Joel Brinkmeyer attended on behalf of agribusinesses, and AAI CFO Joan O'Brien attended on behalf of the Iowa Seed Association. Also represented were departments of agriculture from Iowa and surrounding states, the Iowa Soybean Association, the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, Iowa State University, the Weed Science Society of America, and other representatives from the ag industry, and the ASTA board.

More information from ASTA

Registration Period for CCA Exams is Now Open
  
Next ICCA Exam Date: August 04, 2017
Online Registration Period: 
May 01, 2017 - June 23, 2017


To register for the CCA exam(s), you must fully complete the online exam registration. Within two weeks of the exam, you will receive a confirmation email stating the exact time and location of the exam. Exam information and instructions are available here.

Specialty certifications are offered during the testing. Only one CCA specialty exam (4R NMS, Resistance Management and Sustainability) may be taken each exam date. Registration deadline for specialty certifications is June 23, 2017.
 
Please read the information at certifiedcropadviser.org for 2017 exam updates, deadlines, and helpful tips. 

Please contact the Certification Department at  608-273-8080 or certification@sciencesocieties.org
if you have any questions.
IN THE NEWS
 
EPA Sends WOTUS Withdrawal Notice to OMB

The Environmental Protection Agency earlier this week sent to the White House Office of Management and Budget a proposal to withdraw the controversial Waters of the U.S. rule, setting in motion an OMB review. Following the interagency review, a proposed rule to withdraw WOTUS will be published in the Federal Register, with a deadline for submission of public comments. 

EPA's action comes a few months after President Donald Trump issued an executive order to ditch the rule. American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall said Trump's action was a "welcome relief to farmers and ranchers across the country." Read More

Cargill: Sells Yards, Exits US Feedlot Industry

One of the largest ethanol producers in the United States has made a large strategic investment in the US cattle feedlot industry, agreeing to purchase Cargill's remaining US feedyards for $49 million as a means of value-adding to its distillers' grain by-product. Read More

Perdue Unveils Plan to Reorganzie USDA

Two weeks into the job, Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue proposed today the first reorganization of USDA since 1994, a rapid start to President Trump's instructions to the cabinet to increase federal efficiency. 

The Perdue package creates a new position, undersecretary for trade; this abolishes the undersecretary for rural development so Perdue would directly oversee economic development programs and puts one undersecretary in charge of farm subsidies and land stewardship, responsibilities now split between two undersecretaries.  Read More

Related Articles: 

State, NRCS Update Controls for Palmer Amaranth

While native seed mixes contaminated with Palmer amaranth seed used in Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) fields were the largest source of introduction, it is important to recognize the weed was also found in at least seven Iowa counties in areas other than CRP fields. Palmer amaranth seed can be transported by machinery, in feed or bedding and by wildlife, thus all fields are at risk of being invaded.

HF 410, a bill adding Palmer amaranth to Iowa's noxious weed law, was signed by Gov. Branstad on April 21. The law goes into effect July 1. The bill requires that landowners get approval of the Farm Service Agency (FSA) before implementing control strategies in CRP.

The NRCS has developed a webpage providing information regarding Palmer amaranth in CRP. Since control tactics may alter the contracted cover, it is essential to communicate with the USDA Service Center regarding Palmer amaranth management in conservation plantings. Read More

MEETINGS & EVENTS
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Upcoming Events
& Meeting
AAI Office Begins
Summer Hours
8AM-12PM
FRIDAYS
May 26-Sept 1

Legislative Committee Meeting
10:00 AM
June 16
AAI Board Room

AAI Services Board Meeting
10:00 AM
June 22
AAI Board Room

Environment
Committee Meeting
10:00 AM
June 23
AAI Board Room

AAI Executive Committee Meeting
10:00 AM
June 29
AAI Board Room

Agronomy Committee Meeting
10:00 AM
July 6
AAI Board Room

AAI Board Meeting
10:00 AM
July 11
AAI Board Room

Golf Tournament #1
Fox Ridge Golf Club
Dike, IA
July 25
Co-Hosted w/ AGP

Golf Tournament #2
Emerald Hills Golf Course
Arnolds Park, IA
July 26
Co-Hosted w/ AGP

Golf Tournament #3
Tournament Club of Iowa
August 3
Co-Hosted w/ United Services Association

Iowa Certified Crop Adviser Exam
August 4
Ames, IA
registration deadline June 23

8:00 AM- 3:30 PM
Ziegler CAT Facility
Altoona, IA

Golf Tournament #3
The Preserve at
Rathbun Lake
September 7

Sponsors
Thank you for making AAI great!
Education & Foundation











Agribusiness Association of Iowa 
515-262-8323 |   aai@agribiz.org www.agribiz.org
900 Des Moines Street |  Des Moines, IA 50309