A five-minute summary of AAI, regulation, and industry activities for members of the largest state agribusiness association in the nation. | |
AASA Conducting Bulk Pesticide Inspections In Iowa This Summer | |
This summer the American Agronomic Stewardship Alliance (AASA) will be inspecting bulk pesticide facilities in Iowa to help ag retailers assure compliance with the USEPA regulations governing bulk pesticide storage, containment, transfer and repackaging. The AASA program is an industry stewardship program, it is not a government inspection.
Ag retailers with stationary bulk pesticide storage tanks will receive a letter from AASA informing you of the inspection process; an AASA inspector will then call you to set up an appointment this summer for the inspection. There is no charge for the AASA inspections, and you will receive a copy of your inspection report. The only other people who see the report are the pesticide manufacturers who ship bulk pesticides to your location.
The pesticide manufacturers who support and fund the AASA program do so to partner with ag retailers and help assure compliance with federal requirements relating to bulk pesticide facilities. Thanks to AASA, you can receive just one inspection instead of multiple inspections from each individual manufacturer. AASA inspections have helped many ag retailers avoid USEPA or state penalties on items like repackaging agreements, missing or incomplete tank labels, containment and transfer pad capacity discrepancies, etc.
You can learn more about the AASA inspection process and download the inspection checklist by going to the AASA website at www.aginspect.com If you have any questions about the AASA program, please call or email Jean Payne, the AASA Program Manager, at JeanAASA04@gmail.com or (309) 826-3236.
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EPA and Army Host Midwest-Focused Virtual Regional WOTUS Roundtable | |
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Department of the Army (Army) will host a virtual Midwest-focused regional roundtable on “waters of the United States” (WOTUS) on May 23, 2022, from 3:00 PM to 5:30 PM central daylight time. The virtual roundtable hosted by the agencies was organized by the Regenerative Agriculture Foundation and is one of ten roundtables selected to highlight diverse perspectives and regional experience on WOTUS implementation.
Regenerative Agriculture Foundation (Midwest)
May 23, 2022, from 3:00 PM-5:30 PM CDT—View Livestream Here
In February, EPA and Army announced the selection of ten virtual regional roundtables that highlight geographic differences and a range of perspectives—including agriculture, conservation groups, developers, drinking water and wastewater managers, environmental organizations, communities with environmental justice concerns, industry, Tribal nations, and state and local governments.
The regional roundtables are one important mechanism for the agencies to consider the regional issues and variation in implementation of WOTUS, given the diverse water quality and quantity conditions in different parts of the United States. The regional roundtables will provide opportunities to discuss geographic similarities and differences, particular water resources that are characteristic of or unique to each region, and site-specific feedback about the way WOTUS has been implemented by the agencies. The remaining eight roundtables will be held later this month and next month, including one additional Midwest roundtable on June 6.
Full List of EPA Roundtables: WOTUS Roundtables Page
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Planting Proclamation Alters Truck Weight Limits for Crop Inputs Until June 11, 2022 | |
Gov. Kim Reynolds signed an extension for a proclamation relating to the weight limits and hours of service requirements for the transportation of crop inputs for planting season.
The proclamation is effective immediately and continues through June 11, 2022. The proclamation allows vehicles transporting corn, soybeans, other agricultural seed, water, herbicide, pesticide, fertilizer (dry, liquid, and gas), manure (dry and liquid), gasoline, diesel #1, diesel #2, ethanol, and biodiesel to be overweight (not exceeding 90,000 pounds gross weight) without a permit for the duration of this proclamation.
This proclamation applies to loads transported on all highways within Iowa (excluding the interstate system) and those which do not exceed a maximum of 90,000 pounds gross weight, do not exceed the maximum axle weight limit determined under the non-primary highway maximum gross weight table in Iowa Code § 321.463 (6) (b), by more than 12.5 percent, do not exceed the legal maximum axle weight limit of 20,000 pounds, and comply with posted limits on roads and bridges.
Full proclamation: 2022 Spring Planting Proclamation Extension
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Ag Retailers Invited to Attend Ag Aviation Calibration Clinic June 1 & 2 | |
The Iowa Agricultural Aviation Association (IAAA) is inviting ag retailers to attend their annual Operation Safe fly in and calibration clinic on June 1-2.
Aviators in attendance will be making sure their equipment is properly calibrated for the growing season. Ag retailers are invited to watch the process and interact with the aviators.
The event is weather dependent, so it is advisable to call ahead if there are questions about the weather. June 1 is the primary date with June 2 as a backup if June 1 does not work.
IAAA Operation Safe Calibration Fly In
June 1-2, 2022
Webster City Municipal Airport
Webster City, Iowa
Contact Quinten Childs with questions:
Email: qchilds@insmgmtgrp.com
Phone: 515.229.1856
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Additional Asmark Regulatory Posters Available for Order | |
The Asmark Institute has revised three of their most popular posters to bring you the most current product and regulatory information. The posters are:
- Worker Protection Standard
- Agrichemical Shipments - D.O.T. Shipping Information
- Restricted-Use Pesticides
A complimentary set of three posters has been sent to the AAI retail voting members.
Members may purchase additional posters as a set of three for $15.00 plus shipping and handling or individually for $6.00 each plus shipping and handling. We have a limited supply of these, so please order as soon as possible.
Click here to order: Order Asmark Posters
Questions or concerns, please call Reilly Vaughan 515-868-0311.
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Meetings and events attended by AAI this week:
Stanley L. Balloun Turkey Teaching and Research Facility Dedication at Iowa State Unviersity
Attended by CEO Bill Northey and INREC Executive Director Ben Gleason
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June 21
Executive Committee Meeting
AAI Headquarters
June 29
Agronomy & Environment Committees Joint Meeting
10:00 AM | AAI Board Room
June 30
AAI Board of Directors Meeting
AAI Board Room
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WATCH THE AGRIBUSINESS REPORT | |
Nominations for Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Awards - Deadline Extended to May 23 | |
Submit nominations for the 2022 Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Awards by Monday, May 23.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the award, and IDALS is looking forward to recognizing those that have taken steps in their farming operations to improve or protect the environment and natural resources of our state while also serving as local leaders to encourage other farmers to follow in their footsteps. This award is a joint effort of the Governor, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, and Iowa Department of Natural Resources to honor the exemplary voluntary efforts of these farmers.
Find the nomination form and more information here: https://iowaagriculture.gov/farm-environmental-leader-awards. If you have any issues with the submission system, please contact:
Casey Judge
Office: (515) 725-4119
Cell: (515) 822-1851
Casey.Judge@IowaAgriculture.gov
This award can be a great way to show farmers who are working hard to lead conservation efforts that we see and appreciate everything they do!
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Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City’s 2022 Agricultural Symposium:
Help Wanted in Agriculture - May 23-24
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Location: Kansas City, Missouri
Visit the symposium website for registration and additional information:
2022 Agriculture Symposium
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AgGateway Mid-Year Meeting - June 12-13 | |
Location: Altoona, Iowa
A conference related to driving digital connectivity in global agriculture and related industries. Visit the website for additional information and registration:
2022 Mid-Year Meeting
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StoneX Commercial Grain Accounting Seminar - June 14-15 | |
Location: Sioux Falls, South Dakota
An event for grain professionals, accountants, and CPAs focused on the basics of grain origination and merchandising, and the intricacies of grain industry accounting practices. Visit the website for additional information and registration:
Commercial Grain Accounting Seminar
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Following mounting concerns and growing criticism, the Surface Transportation Board announced May 6 that it will require certain railroads to submit service recovery plans as well as provide additional data and regular progress reports on rail service, operations and employment. STB says these measures are meant to inform the Board’s assessment of further actions that may be warranted to address the acute service issues facing the rail industry and to promote industry-wide transparency, accountability and improvements in rail service.
This decision follows extensive testimony on severe rail service issues reported by a wide range of witnesses including agricultural, energy and other shippers, as well as government officials, rail labor and rail experts during the Board’s April 26-27, 2022 public hearing in Urgent Issues in Freight Rail Service. The Board has also continued to review and monitor weekly rail service performance data, which indicate trends in deteriorating service.
The decision focuses on the adequacy of recovery efforts involving BNSF Railway Company (BNSF), CSX Transportation (CSX), Norfolk Southern Railway Company (NS), and Union Pacific Railroad Company (UP), and it requires more comprehensive and customer-centric reporting of all Class I railroads’ service metrics. In addition, BNSF, CSX, NS, and UP are required to submit service recovery plans, progress reports, and historical data and participate in bi-weekly conference calls with Board staff.
[...] Read Full Story
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It’s probably no surprise that if you grow up on a farm, you have a strong connection to the land and to the value this industry provides. Data from a new survey conducted by the Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers find that 70 percent of the state’s students would like to farm in the future — the same percentage that currently lives and/or works on a farm.
The survey was done at last month’s 94th Iowa FFA Leadership Conference, which brings together thousands of young people from across the state to learn about careers in the agriculture industry, compete in various events, and shape the future of the Iowa FFA Association. The survey garnered 258 responses.
Members identified several obstacles deterring young people from pursuing a career in farming. High start-up costs were identified by 35 percent of young farmers, 21 percent identified lack of available land, and 20 percent said the amount of work involved in farming were some of the biggest challenges for young farmers to get started.
McKenzi Young, a senior from Earlham High School, grew up on her family’s farm raising horses and hay. Young enjoys showing Western Pleasure horses throughout the United States. She also shows sheep at the Madison County Fair and Iowa State Fair.
“The future of agriculture looks bright because as the population increases so will the need for new technology to be used to increase crop and livestock production,” says Young. “Because of the opportunities I see ahead in agriculture, I will be attending Iowa State University this fall and majoring in Ag Studies.” She is part of the 94 percent of students that plan to continue their education after high school.
[...] Read Full Story
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Earlier this week President Joe Biden said Ukraine has 20 million metric tons (MMT) of wheat and corn in storage, with no way to ship it out of the country.
Russian forces keep hammering key shipping areas in Ukraine, such as the city of Odessa on the Black Sea.
Farmers in Ukraine are planting corn and wheat, which will be harvested this summer, but with silos already full of last year’s harvest and ports closed, there is nowhere for it to go.
"Right now, Ukraine’s grain silos are full,” says David Beasley, executive director of the World Food Programme. “At the same time, 44 million people around the world are marching toward starvation. We have to open up these ports so that food can move in and out of Ukraine.”
Before the war, most of the food produced by Ukraine – enough to feed 400 million people – was exported through the country’s seven Black Sea ports. In the eight months before the conflict began, close to 51 MMT of grain transited through the ports.
“I don’t see how the country does anything but collapses if the ports aren’t opened,” he says. “Farmers harvest in July and August. You really only have a matter of days — around 60 — to resolve this issue."
[...] Read Full Story
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Source: Progressive Farmer
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The American Soybean Association was among the groups crediting the White House for finding ways to incentivize farmers to double-crop acres and increase the use of precision technology while the administration also looks for ways to boost the production of domestic fertilizer.
On Wednesday, President Joe Biden used an Illinois farm as a backdrop to highlight his administration's moves meant to spur increased crop production in the face of global crop and food stresses brought on by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. "Farmers are the breadbasket of democracy. You really are," the president said.
"America is fighting on two fronts," he said, pointing to inflation and rising prices domestically, while in Ukraine for democracy, "as well as feeding those really hungry around the world because Russian atrocities exist."
Biden highlighted challenges in Ukraine, including 20 million metric tons of grain that cannot get out of the country into export markets right now. He noted the Russians have cut off critical access to the Black Sea and port cities. "If those tons don't get to market, an awful lot of people in Africa are going to starve to death because they are the sole supplier of a number of African countries," Biden said.
[...] Read Full Story
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THE AGRIBUSINESS REPORT
Follow host David Geiger on Twitter:
@geigerreports
Watch daily broadcast live:
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Watch online any time:
https://agribiz.org/report
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