A five-minute summary of AAI, regulation, and industry activities for members of the largest state agribusiness association in the nation. | |
Legislative, Regulatory, Economic, and Industry Updates Fill AAI Committee Meeting Agendas | |
With the Iowa legislature in the second half of their session and spring planting on the doorstep, AAI committees have been in full swing this week. Joint meetings were held by Agronomy and Environment, and Grain and Transportation, in addition to an Animal Industry meeting and the Legislative Committee.
Agronomy & Environment Committees
Proposed legislation for the use of drones around farmsteads and livestock facilities was causing concern, but an amendment will likely be considered to exempt commercial and agricultural uses. With huge increases in drone use, the committee discussed the need for information about regulations and coordinating with the Iowa Ag Aviation Association.
Other legislative and regulatory information discussed included the eminent domain bill regarding carbon pipelines, other states’ potential bans of PFAS chemicals (aka Forever Chemicals) with implications for drinking water, sewer sludge, pesticides, and pesticide containers, and a proposed bill for funding the Grain Indemnity Fund with checkoff funds.
Tim Hall with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) presented current hydrological conditions, weather outlook for the growing season, and the Iowa Drought Plan. Iowa has updated its Drought Plan for the first time since 1985 and plans to make additional updates in 2024 and then every five years. Hall said he would like to see a statewide soil moisture network and an Iowa Drought Information System similar to the Iowa Flood Information System
Grain & Transportation Committees
An update on the Grain Indemnity Fund was provided by Grain Warehouse Bureau Chief Jim Kennedy. For the first time since the late 80s, collection is set to begin replenishing the fund later this year. Kennedy gave a detailed summary of how the collection mechanisms work and said the Grain Indemnity Fund board may look to delay the collection start date until September 1 (from July 1). The committee members were supportive of the fund moving forward this year in its current form, but an ag industry working group will look at any future changes that may need to be made to modernize the fund.
An update on trucking, rail, and barge transportation issues was provided by Soy Transportation Coalition Executive Director Mike Steenhoek. He provided an overview of the SHIP IT act that is currently making its way through Congress. The act has many components but of note is allowing the use of heavier trucks with more axles on Interstate highways nationwide. The combination of driver efficiency in a time of low driver availability and smaller environmental impact per vehicle are expected to help more members of Congress to be supportive of this change.
Steenhoek also discussed the approved merger between Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern railroads was approved largely due to the two smallest class I railroads merging to become what will still be the smallest class I, and the lack of overlap in the two systems. He also provided an update on the Mississippi River where low water levels and high shipping prices plagued the nation last year, but now shipping rates have dropped much nearer to normal rates and there is a chance of spring flooding on the Mississippi River in some places.
Also at the meeting were representatives from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT). Iowa officials talked about the new all systems overweight permit and changes Iowa has been making to improve and streamline the Commercial Driver’s License testing. According to IDOT, the Entry Level Driver Training requirement from the federal level has increased the passing rate of the CDL testing from 60 percent to 80 percent. And FMCSA provided an overview of their updated website and proposed update and streamlining of the Compliance Safety Accountability (CSA) scoring.
Animal Industry Committee
AAI members with interests in feed milling and animal production convened at the home office on Monday along with other related industry groups. Attendees heard from Iowa Pork Producers Association, Iowa Cattlemen’s Association, North Central Poultry Association, Iowa State University, and Institute for Feed Education and Research (IFEEDER).
Information about efforts focused on sustainability in the feed industry were provided by IFEEDER Executive Director Lara Moody. The environmental footprint of many companies could be enhanced if they had the data on the efficiency and impact of the feed industry, according to Moody. Getting the data that shows the environmental impact of supplements, minerals, and nutrients that increase feed efficiency is a current major focus for IFEEDER. Moody said this data is important in life cycle assessments.
Updates from Iowa State University included progress on the new Veterinary Diagnostic Lab (VDL) and the Feed Mill and Grain Complex. The Feed Mill is expected to have some functionality sometime this spring, and Phase I of the VDL is nearly complete with funding for Phase II is closing in on the goal.
All of the animal industry groups were concerned about foreign animal disease, labor, and the California Proposition 12 ruling that is expected from the US Supreme Court (SCOTUS). Regardless of the SCOTUS ruling, the impact is already being felt by the industries as many new facilities have been built to meet the requirements. Consumers have not supported the purchase of items under these rules due to the increase in cost. As a case in point, Walmart and Kroger are backing away from cage free egg commitments due to lack of consumer demand. The SCOTUS ruling is expected in April.
Get Involved!
The direction and impact of the association is a direct result of committee activities. Committees provide input and direction for the Board of Directors actions. You or someone within your company can serve on a committee by emailing aai@agribiz.org, calling the AAI office, or filling out a form online at https://www.agribiz.org/benefits-of-membership/join-a-committee/.
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Participate in ISU’s Nitrogen Rate Trials | |
The Iowa Nitrogen Initiative is looking for farmers, crop advisors, ag retailers, and fertilizer applicators to conduct nitrogen rate trials utilizing variable rate technology. ISU researchers will use the data collected to provide the best nitrogen science in the world for the benefit of productivity, profitability, and environmental performance. Put your variable rate technology to use and be a part of this innovative project!
For more information, visit:
Iowa Nitrogen Initiative - Department of Agronomy (iastate.edu)
or email Ben Gleason at AAI, bgleason@agribiz.org
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AAI Signs Letter Urging Action On Trade | |
The Agribusiness Association of Iowa signed onto a letter to Congress to make the case for pursuit of new trade agreements and increased trade engagement in Congress. The letter urges Congress to advance legislation to establish new Trade Promotion Authority and to provide direction to the Executive Branch about the importance of expanding new markets for America’s food and agriculture products.
AAI joined 50 other state and national groups who signed onto the letter, including our national partners American Feed Industry Association and National Grain & Feed Association.
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March Workshops FULL - Waiting List Available
Next Grain Grading Workshops August 29 & 30
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ALL SEATS FULL
Waiting List Available - Check website for changes:
Grain Grading Registration
Grain Grading Workshops
March 28 & 29 - 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM
Registration Fees:
AAI Member - $130
Non-Member - $155
Location:
Ziegler CAT
1500 Ziegler Drive NW
Altoona, Iowa 50009
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The following list of members have recently completed their membership investment for 2023.
Thank you for your membership!
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- Minnesota Valley Testing Laboratories, Inc.
- Cargill
- Vive Crop Protection
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Meetings and events attended by AAI:
Agriculture Leaders Dinner
In Attendance:
Bill Northey, AAI CEO
Big River Resources Annual Meeting
In Attendance:
Bill Northey, AAI CEO
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March 28 & 29
Grain Grading Workshops
Ziegler CAT - Altoona, Iowa
Click Here to Register Online
March 30
Showcase Committee Meeting
10:00 AM | AAI Main Office Board Room
April 6
AAI Board of Directors Meeting
10:00 AM | AAI Main Office Board Room
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WATCH THE AGRIBUSINESS REPORT | |
Cover Crop Workshop March 28 in West Union | |
Iowa Learning Farms, in partnership with Consortium for Cultivating Human And Naturally reGenerative Enterprises (C-CHANGE), will host a cover crop workshop on Tuesday, March 28 from 12:00-2:00 p.m. at the West Union Event Center. Farmers and landowners are welcome to attend the free event, which includes a complimentary meal catered by the West Union Event Center.
The discussion will be facilitated by Dr. Jacqueline Comito, Iowa Learning Farms program director, Dr. Matt Helmers, Iowa Nutrient Research Center director, and Dr. Mark Licht, associate professor and extension cropping systems specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, and Liz Ripley, Iowa Learning Farms conservation and cover crop outreach specialist.
Reservations are required to ensure adequate space and food. For reasonable accommodations and to RSVP, please contact Liz Ripley at 515-294-5429 or ilf@iastate.edu.
Click for Full Details
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Four members of Congress are backing bipartisan and bicameral legislation that would include propane storage under the farm storage facility loan program through the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
U.S. Reps. Brad Finstad, R-Minn., and Jim Costa, D-Calif., are sponsoring HR 1290, also known as the Growing Rural Ag Infrastructure Needs to Deliver Rising Yields (GRAIN DRY) Act. The bill would amend the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 to clarify propane storage as an eligible use for funds provided under the loan program. Finstad introduced the bill, which was referred to the House Committee on Agriculture, on March 1.
Since its inception in 2000, the loan program has provided low-interest financing so agriculture producers can build or upgrade facilities to store commodities.
According to the House leaders, the GRAIN DRY Act would expand the loan program to include propane storage, a critical tool for drying grain and heating barns, allowing agricultural producers access to the same financing for propane storage that is available for other on-farm storage facilities.
“The vast majority of grain dryers run on propane, making it a critical tool for Minnesota farmers,” Finstad says. “By opening up the program to include propane storage, we are providing farmers with the ability to stabilize their propane supply, giving them greater flexibility to lock in inputs for a commodity that has historically had supply shortages.”
[...] Read Full Story
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Source: Feeding the Economy
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Food and agriculture groups released the seventh annual Feeding the Economy report, revealing food and agriculture industries and their suppliers contribute over $8.6 trillion to the U.S. economy, nearly one-fifth of total national output and a 22% increase since the 2019 report. Providing data on jobs, wages, and economic output, this farm-to-fork analysis illustrates the food and agriculture sector’s impact on local and nationwide economic activity. The data also underscores this sector’s resilience and reliability amid unprecedented global and domestic crises, including the commodity shock following the war in Ukraine and continued supply chain disruptions.
This year’s report shows the U.S. food and agriculture sector directly supports nearly 23 million jobs, provides $927 billion in wages, and is particularly vital to rural communities across America. Notably, the 2023 report reveals that the manufacturing of agricultural products accounts for nearly one-fifth of total manufacturing jobs in the U.S. Overall, more than 46 million jobs are supported across the food and agriculture supply chain, increasing nearly 2% since the 2019 report despite the economic challenges and disruptions associated with the global pandemic.
All 50 states displayed increased economic output in the 2023 report compared to the 2022 report, largely reflecting a rebound in national economic activity. The largest gains in total output were from Hawaii (31%), North Dakota (26%), New York (23%), Nevada (22%), and Florida (21%). Key findings from national data include:
Total Jobs: 46,283,917 (up 1.5% since the 2019 report)
Total Wages: $2.61 trillion (up 26.2% since the 2019 report)
Total Taxes: $947.93 billion (up 3.8% since the 2019 report)
Exports: $202.2 billion (up 24.4% since the 2019 report)
Total Food and Ag Industry Economic Impact: $8.6 trillion (up 21.8% since the 2019 report)
[...] Read Full Story
View Iowa Specific Data On The Site
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Measuring temperature and nitrogen levels in soil is important for agriculture systems but detecting them apart from one another is difficult to do. Huanyu "Larry" Cheng, James L. Henderson, Jr. Memorial Associate Professor of Engineering Science and Mechanics at Penn State, led researchers in the development of a multi-parameter sensor that can effectively decouple temperature and nitrogen signals so that each can be measured accurately. The results were recently published by Advanced Materials.
"For efficient fertilization, there is a need for continuous and real-time monitoring of soil conditions, specifically nitrogen utilization and soil temperature," Cheng said. "This is essential for evaluating crop health, reducing environmental pollution and promoting sustainable and precision agriculture."
Using nitrogen as a fertilizer is common practice in agriculture, and the goal is to use the ideal amount for the best crop output. When too little is nitrogen is used, the crop's yield may be less than optimum. When too much is used, fertilizer is wasted, plants can burn and harmful nitrogen gases are released into the environment. Accurate detection of nitrogen levels—specifically, the loss of nitrogen in the form of a gas—can help farmers achieve optimal levels of fertilization for plant growth.
"Plant growth is also impacted by temperature, which influences the physical, chemical and microbiological processes in soil," said co-author Li Yang, professor in the School of Artificial Intelligence at China's Hebei University of Technology. "Continuous monitoring enables farmers to develop strategies and interventions when temperatures are too hot or too cold for their crops."
[...] Read Full Story
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For everyone out there with a pair of eyes, ears or a smartphone; the initials “SVB” have probably started floating around if the periphery of your awareness. Maybe you’ve even asked what those letters stand for.
So let’s clarify some of the financial sector’s recent difficulties and what someone involved in agriculture should be considering in light of them.
First things first, we’re observing a bank collapse in real time for the first time in a few years, and it can revive some vivid memories of 2008 and/or 1985, depending on how old you are. And that’s OK. But it’s also the first time a bank run was fueled by the Twitterverse, and that’s probably not OK.
SVB, formally known as Silicon Valley Bank, was/is the 16th largest bank in the U.S., holding a California state charter. It was founded in 1983 and has focused on non-traditional lending to start up companies and venture capital firms. It filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection this month following customers’ mad dash to pull their deposits from the lender in a what could be seen as a classic run on the bank. And, of course, with its size and connection to the tech industry, it’s become big news.
It’s also significant for the agricultural industry because, as Agri-Pulse reported, SVB’s clients included ag-data company Farmers Business Network, vertical ag producer Bowery Farming, plant-based zealot Impossible Foods, and many wineries.
[...] Read Full Story
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THE AGRIBUSINESS REPORT
Follow host David Geiger on Twitter:
@geigerreports
Watch daily broadcast live:
KCRG-TV Cedar Rapids
WHO-TV Des Moines
KYOU-TV Ottumwa
Watch online any time:
https://agribiz.org/report
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