A five-minute summary of AAI, regulation, and industry activities for members of the largest state agribusiness association in the nation. | |
AAI Submitting Comment On Organophosphate Petition to EPA | |
The US Environmental Protection Agency has received a petition to completely ban the use of organophosphate pesticides. The Agribusiness Association of Iowa will be submitting a comment requesting that EPA deny this petition to revoke all tolerances for organophosphates and focus on the scientific and procedural comments filed by crop and industry groups.
Last November, a group of petitioners requested that EPA revoke all tolerances and cancel all associated registrations for food uses of Acephate, Densulide, Chlorethoxyfos, Chlorpyrifos-methyl, Diazinon, Dichlorvos, Dicrotophos, Dimethoate, Ethoprop, Malathion, Naled, Phorate, Phosmet, Terbufos, and Tribufos.
Organophosphates are widely utilized in row crop agriculture and are critical components of IPM programs. Cancelling an important crop protection product would place increased pressure on a limited number of control options available to producers.
To submit your comments in opposition to this petition, follow the link below:
Submit Comments to Regulations.gov
EPA Petition Information:
https://www.regulations.gov/document/EPA-HQ-OPP-2022-0490-0001
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Iowa Nitrogen Initiative Seeks Iowa farmers to advance nitrogen fertilizer recommendations | |
We are encouraging AAI members to identify farmers who would be willing to take part in this initiative. Contact Melissa Miller, Project Director for the Iowa Nitrogen Initiative, at millerms@iastate.edu or INREC Executive Director Ben Gleason at bgleason@agribiz.org if you know of someone willing to participate.
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Using the latest advances in precision agriculture, in close collaboration with Iowa farmers, the Iowa Nitrogen Initiative will deploy hundreds of on-farm, scientifically robust trials every year. Data from these trials will enable Iowa State University scientists and engineers to apply the latest advances in super-computing and quantitative modeling to improve nitrogen fertilizer recommendations for the benefit of productivity, profitability and environmental performance.
Researchers are seeking the help of Iowa farmers to meet their goal of 400 trials in 2023.
Nitrogen fertilizer is among the most critical inputs to crop productivity – and one of the costliest. When applied at the optimum rate, nitrogen boosts productivity and profitability while minimizing losses to the environment. However, the optimum rate is incredibly difficult to forecast and can vary by more than 100% from field-to-field and year-to-year
Participating in the nitrogen trials is easy. Farmers commit to reserving a small portion of their farm field (four to seven acres) for a personalized variable rate nitrogen prescription. All other farming decisions, including the nitrogen application for the rest of the field, remain with the farmer.
The Iowa Nitrogen Initiative’s network of farmer participants enables researchers to gather data on real-world scenarios, develop decision support tools with input from the people who will use them, and return information to farmers about optimum rates on their farms. The trials can be included in any Iowa corn field – regardless of the management.
Farmers, certified crop advisers, and custom fertilizer applicators interested in participating should contact Melissa Miller, Project Director for the Iowa Nitrogen Initiative, by emailing millerms@iastate.edu or calling 515-567-0607. Learn more at agron.iastate.edu/ini.
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AAI Out & About
Meetings and events attended by AAI
Iowa Freight Advisory Council
Attended by: Reilly Vaughan, AAI Membership Director
Agricultural Law Seminar hosted by Iowa State University Center for Agricultural Law and Taxation
Attended by: AAI CEO Bill Northey
Taiwanese Delegation Agricultural Trade Agreement Signing Ceremony
Attended by: AAI CEO Bill Northey
Ag Cooperative Safety Directors of Iowa Meeting
Attended by: Reilly Vaughan, AAI Membership Director
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September 23
Showcase Committee Meeting
10:00 AM | AAI Board Room
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WATCH THE AGRIBUSINESS REPORT | |
(FREE) Hazard Communication & Chemical Hazards Training
Iowa State University and OSHA are offering FREE information and training to prepare employees, supervisors, and owners of manufacturing and construction companies for OSHA requirements, suggestions, and strategies for worker protection from Chemical Hazards in the workplace.
The program will offer attendees the opportunity to ask questions, share experiences and learn about Hazard Communication and Chemical Hazards, as well as keep up to date on information as OSHA gives updates.
Training sessions are offered virtually or on-site. Instructors are Professors of Occupational Safety.
Facilitators will be happy to provide a complementary 1-hour safety review for facilities hosting an on-site training session.
Information on each session, dates, and registration links can be found on the course website link here: http://sh.ae.iastate.edu
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Each year, more people die while farming than while serving as police officers, firefighters, or other emergency responders.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a rate of 23 work-related deaths per 100,000 workers in the agricultural industry. That is seven times higher than the national average for workers.
Fall harvest – the most dangerous season for those in the nation’s most dangerous profession – is fast approaching, says Karen Funkenbusch, health and safety specialist for University of Missouri Extension.
National Farm Safety and Health Week, Sept. 18-24, is observed by the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety to remind the agricultural community and public of ways to safeguard families and farms.
“Protecting Agriculture’s Future” is this year’s theme, and it brings attention to tractor season on roadways, says Funkenbusch.
Tractor rollovers are the leading cause of fatalities in the agriculture industry, accounting for more than half of all farm-related deaths. The odds of a farmer having a rollover accident are high, says Funkenbusch. One in 10 tractor operators overturns a tractor in his or her lifetime.
[...] Read Full Story
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Source: Progressive Farmer
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In a speech Wednesday before the United Nations General Assembly, President Joe Biden committed to nearly $3 billion in "life-saving humanitarian" food aid to help with increasing global food insecurity. Biden noted there are now as many as 193 million people facing "acute food insecurity," up 40 million people in just a year.
Biden called out Russia for its war in Ukraine and Russian propaganda blaming other countries for grain shortages and high food prices.
"Russia in the meantime is pumping out lies, trying to pin the food crisis on the sanctions imposed by many in the world for the aggression against Ukraine," Biden said.
Biden emphasized that sanctions from the U.S. and other countries "explicitly allow Russia to export food and fertilizer."
The president also pointed to the deal reached earlier this summer when Russia agreed to allow Ukraine to export grain out of its Black Sea ports after blockading those for months. "We need to make sure it's extended," Biden said of the export deal. "We believe strongly for the need to feed the world."
Biden also said the U.S. "is scaling innovative ways to get drought and heat-resistant seeds to farmers who need them" and working to "distribute fertilizer and improving fertilizer efficiency so the farmers can grow more while using less."
Turning to exports, Biden also called on countries not to block others' ability to export food.
[...] Read Full Story
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Over 70% of counties in the U.S. are considered rural, and 6 million residents call rural America home. The lack of reliable internet access is a major economic barrier and leaves rural areas isolated and left behind.
U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced $502 million in loans and grants to provide high-speed internet access for rural residents and businesses in 20 states. This is part of the third round of funding available through USDA's ReConnect Program.
Related: USDA commits to team effort on expanding rural broadband
The Department will make additional investments for rural high-speed internet in the coming months through the ReConnect Program and beyond, including funding from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which provides $65 billion to expand high-speed internet across the U.S.
“President Biden’s commitment to high-speed internet in rural communities is foundational to ensuring that the nation’s economy continues to expand from the bottom up and the middle out,” Vilsack said. “High-speed internet will improve the rural economy. It will help rural businesses grow and get access to new markets. It will help rural residents get access to more and better health care and educational opportunities.”
Greg Puckett, Chair of the National Association of Counties’ Rural Action Caucus, says the group is working diligently with USDA on a mapping project to better understand the areas of the U.S. with poor or no high-speed internet access. Puckett explains the project will help target funding to improve broadband access for all rural residents.
[...] Read Full Story
RELATED: Interactive Iowa Broadband Eligibility Map
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Admittedly, I cringe every time one of our local 4-H kids starts talking about Minecraft. After all, they’re fortunate enough to be involved in agriculture and raising fair animals. Why do they need a video game? While video games may seem like a lazy pastime, even the staunchest supporters of outdoor activities may be able to get on board with the latest farm video games.
Recently, Nintendo Direct showcased its upcoming four farming games, and I was surprised to learn just how much some people enjoy these games. And, well, how farm games and simulators can be used to benefit players and possibly even agriculture.
According to research in the journal American Psychologist, kids who spend time playing video games can develop improved learning, health, and social skills.
Video games really aren’t that new to classrooms — who remembers The Oregon Trail, which debuted in 1971? Research conducted by a Ukrainian university has shown that more and more teachers are using computer games in the classroom. With less than 2 percent of the world involved in agriculture, games provide the opportunity for players to test scenarios and weigh risk management practices.
Video games can also help students stay in STEM. I think back to the horse farming simulator games I played as a youth — they’re the only reason that I know anything about a computer or coding.
They provide experiential learning and experience with risk management where players can learn from failure. And, probably more importantly — they’re engaging.
[...] 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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