A five-minute summary of AAI, regulation, and industry activities for members of the largest state agribusiness association in the nation. | |
ARA Seed Treatment Survey To Inform EPA | |
Agricultural Retailers Association is calling on your help to inform the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) before it takes action to address any issues with the use of pesticide-treated seed and paint.
Complete this brief survey by Friday, Dec. 8 to help ARA's advocacy efforts:
Click for Seed Treatment Survey
EPA is seeking comment on:
- how growers manage treated seed products, including how they store, plant, and dispose of these products;
- the extent to which treated seed products are used in the United States;
- whether or to what extent treated seed products are being distributed, sold, and used contrary to treating pesticide and seed bag tag labeling instructions;
- whether label language recently proposed for use of paint products treated with diuron—which may be proposed for other treated paint products—should be made enforceable, and if not, whether other regulatory or administrative options should be considered;
- whether those who manufacture treated seed and paint should be subject to some registration and reporting requirements under FIFRA section 7 or other requirements (e.g., filing of a “notice of arrival” for all imported treated products; and
- whether further regulatory or administrative measures are appropriate to ensure the safe use of treated seed and paint.
After reviewing public comments, EPA will consider further actions, which may include regulations to limit the scope of the regulatory Treated Article Exemption, enforcing use violations, and taking administrative action to clarify labeling requirements or reduce the use of a treating pesticide.
A longer explanation with additional background and detail of this issue can be found on the ARA website:
ARA Seed Treatment Survey Article
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Due to the popularity of this event, the 2024 Agribusiness Career Day will be a stand alone event separate from the Agribusiness Showcase & Conference. Last year, more than 350 students took part in the the Career Day. The move to a stand along event will provide the opportunity for the event to continue to grow.
This event helps high school FFA seniors and community college students in ag programs be better prepared for the opportunities in the ag sector. It also helps AAI member companies by providing an opportunity to take part in the Agribusiness Career Fair to interact with the student participants.
Mark Your Calendar Now
If your position includes hiring employees, mark your calendar for February 6. Additional information will be available in December for businesses to register to take part in the Agribusiness Career Fair at the event.
If you are not in a hiring position, pass this information along to those in your company responsible for hiring.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Opportunities for sponsorship have been expanded for the Career Day. If your company would like to be seen and prominently recognized by more than 350 potential future employees, contact Sally Thompson for details - sally@agribiz.org or 515.868.0323.
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INREC Completes Sixth Survey for Measuring Conservation Progress | |
The Iowa Nutrient Research & Education Council (INREC) has completed its sixth year of surveys for measuring Nutrient Reduction Strategy progress. Survey results from 2017 to 2022 crop years are available on the INREC website:
iowanrec.org/programs-resources
The survey is a collaboration with agronomy retailers, certified crop advisers, and Iowa State University. The progress measurement system utilizes a first-of-its-kind system using ag retailer sales data and farm records to track progress made by Iowa farmers with adoption of in-field conservation practices such as cover crops, nutrient management, and reduced tillage.
Preparation is underway to conduct the survey this winter for the 2023 crop year. Iowa State University’s Center for Survey Statistics & Methodology will randomly select 150 ag retail locations. INREC survey liaisons will visit the locations and work with the local agronomist to randomly select ten customers’ fields and conduct the survey of conservation practices. Ag retailer cooperation is critical to ensure a statistically significant number of surveys are completed. If you have any questions, please contact INREC executive director Ben Gleason at bgleason@agribiz.org.
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IDOT Survey Requests Farmer Input | |
The Iowa Department of Transportation is requesting input from farmers related to agricultural vehicle requirements.
Iowa DOT is asking specifically for farmers to take a survey as they work to put together new tools and resources to address common questions related to agricultural vehicle requirements.
Iowa DOT Farmer Survey
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Iowa Nitrogen Initiative Presentations for Winter Meetings | |
The Iowa Nitrogen Initiative (INI) at Iowa State University is offering two presentation topics for winter agricultural meetings including co-op board meetings, grower reward meetings, and other events.
Project Overview Option - project overview, yield response data from 2023 trials, decision support tool development, and trials for 2024.
Modeling Platform Example Option - Agricultural Production Systems sIMulator (APSIM) cropping systems modeling platform demonstration, explanation of on-farm trial data and APSIM work to inform a decision support tool that will change the way we think about nitrogen recommendations.
The INI is a public-private partnership that works directly with farmers and nitrogen applicators to conduct nitrogen rate trials on private farm fields. In 2023, 270 trials were conducted, a 400% increase from 2022. The goal is 500 trials for the 2024 crop year.
Contact Melissa Miller at millerms@iastate.edu or 515-567-0607 if you are interested in hearing from the Iowa Nitrogen Initiative at your winter events.
The INI team will be presenting at the 2024 Agribusiness Showcase. Mark your calendar now for February 12-13 at Prairie Meadows in Altoona.
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Partner With Iowa State University For Variable Rate Nitrogen Trials | |
Iowa State University is looking for 500 fields for the 2024 crop season to test nitrogen rates. The trial is built into a variable rate prescription that works with the existing nitrogen program.
Five rates will be tested five times each in a small area (7-10 ac.) of the field. ISU is sent the as-applied file from the applicator and the yield file after harvest. Farmers and agronomists receive information on the optimum nitrogen rate for their fields. If a zero-applied nitrogen rate is included in the trial, growers receive a soil fertility test, soil nitrate testing throughout the growing season, and $600 to offset yield loss on the zero nitrogen plots (~1.5 acres total).
Variable rate application equipment is required to conduct the trials. If you apply variable rate nitrogen to your customers’ fields, please consider participating.
For more information, reach out to Melissa Miller, Iowa Nitrogen Initiative Project Director, at 515-567-0607 or millerms@iastate.edu.
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Attendee Registration Is Open | |
Session topics being finalized include:
Drone Use and Challenges | Biologicals | Agribusiness P&C Insurance
National Ag Policy | Pesticide Regulations | Product Development Update
Variable Rate Nitrogen & Stabilizers | Soil Sampling For Pest Pressure
Real World Decision Making With Ag Data | Adjuvants - Getting It Right
View General Schedule
Confirmed Speakers Include:
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Corey Rosenbusch, President and CEO, The Fertilizer Institute
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Daren Coppock, President and CEO, Agricultural Retailers Association
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Mike Seyfert, President and CEO, National Grain And Feed Association
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Doug Jones, Senior Environmental Advisor, U.S. EPA Region 7
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EXHIBITOR OPTIONS STILL AVAILABLE
Booths Available: 71 9
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EARLY REGISRATION DISCOUNT FOR EXHIBITORS ENDS DEC. 8
The Exhibitor Registration deadline is just a few weeks away. Booth space is extremely limited. Avoid wasting money and time - Register Now!
Contact us at 515.262.8323 or agribizshowcase@agribiz.org to reserve your sponsorship.
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Agri Technica
Attended by:
Bill Northey, AAI CEO
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November 17
AAI Showcase Committee Meeting
3:30 PM | The Meadows Conference & Event Center
November 23 & 24
Thanksgiving Holiday - AAI Main Office Closed
December 11
AAI Legislative Committee Meeting
10:00 AM | AAI Main Office Board Room
December 14
AAI Board of Directors Meeting
10:00 AM | AAI Main Office Board Room
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Liquid Fertilizer Workshop | |
The Fluid Fertilizer Workshop is a gathering designed for retail facility operators, fertilizer applicators, crop advisors, agronomists, consultants, and other agronomic providers. It's the perfect platform to stay updated on the latest advancements in fluid fertilizer technology and best practices.
Date: December 12, 2023
Location: BRANDT Facilities, Springfield, IL
As a member of the Agribusiness Association of Iowa, you qualify for TFI member pricing this year!
REGISTER HERE - Discount Code: STATE ($300 off nonmember pricing)
What to Expect:
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Expert Insights: Speakers will share high-impact information on improving fluid nutrient use and efficiency.
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Best Practices: Learn from the best with practical advice that you can immediately apply in your work.
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Brandt Facilities Tour: The workshop will conclude with an exclusive tour of BRANDT facilities.
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CCA Credits: Earn CCA credits. CCA categories will be announced once approved.
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Midwest Ag Safety Leadership Conference | |
This conference is for anyone within a Safety role within their company. This event provides Ag Safety Professionals an opportunity to grow in their leadership skills & network with other professionals. It’s not enough to write safety programs and train employees. Safety professionals must have excellent leadership skills to influence the safety culture within your organizations.
January 9 -11, 2024
Mid-America Center, Council Bluffs, Iowa
Additional Information & Registration Page
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BNSF Railway (BNSF), North America’s largest intermodal rail, GMXT, the largest rail provider in Mexico, and J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc., one of the largest supply chain solutions providers in North America, announced a new intermodal service between Monterrey, Silao-Bajio and Pantaco-Mexico City regions, key markets in Northern and Central Mexico, through the Eagle Pass, Texas border gateway.
This new intermodal service, scheduled to begin January 1, 2024, will be one day faster than the existing service from Monterrey to Chicago. It offers customers a reliable and more sustainable transportation option to move goods seamlessly across the border to and from Mexico with coast-to-coast access in the U.S.
“Our organizations are committed to growth in Mexico and this joint service offering is a direct reflection of that commitment,” said Katie Farmer, BNSF president and CEO. “By utilizing the capacity and expertise of the largest intermodal railroad in the U.S., the largest railroad in Mexico, and the largest domestic intermodal carrier, this product will seamlessly connect the North American intermodal network.”
Trains carrying intermodal containers will interchange at Eagle Pass, Texas, to and from GMXT, which will operate the trains between the border crossing and Monterrey, Silao-Bajio and Pantaco-Mexico City six days a week. There will also be an alternative option over the El Paso, Texas border gateway. This new intermodal service offers new opportunities for customers to grow in the expanding Mexico markets.
[...] Read Full Story
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Gathering around the table for a Thanksgiving dinner won’t take as much of a toll on your pocketbook this year compared to 2022, but the meal still reflects historically high costs. The American Farm Bureau Federation’s 38th annual survey provides a snapshot of the average cost of this year’s classic holiday feast for 10, which is $61.17 or less than $6.20 per person.
This is a 4.5% decrease from last year’s record-high average of $64.05, but a Thanksgiving meal is still 25% higher than it was in 2019, which highlights the impact high supply costs and inflation have had on food prices since before the pandemic.
The centerpiece on most Thanksgiving tables – the turkey – helped bring down the overall cost of dinner. The average price for a 16-pound turkey is $27.35. That is $1.71 per pound, down 5.6% from last year.
Farm Bureau “volunteer shoppers” checked prices Nov. 1-6, before most grocery store chains began featuring whole frozen turkeys at sharply lower prices. According to USDA Agricultural Marketing Service data, the average per-pound feature price for whole frozen turkeys declined further during the second week of November. Consumers who have not yet purchased a turkey may find additional savings in the days leading up to Thanksgiving.
“Traditionally, the turkey is the most expensive item on the Thanksgiving dinner table,” said AFBF Senior Economist Veronica Nigh. “Turkey prices have fallen thanks to a sharp reduction in cases of avian influenza, which have allowed production to increase in time for the holiday.”
[...] Read Full Story
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Mary-Dell Chilton, one of the most distinguished employees in the history of Syngenta and a woman known as “The Mother of Genetic Modification,” has been awarded the National Medal of Technology and Innovation by President Joe Biden. The award was given during a ceremony last month.
Chilton, who earned a Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, led the team of Syngenta researchers that produced the first transgenic plant and pioneered plant biotechnology, discovering novel methods to improve plants’ ability to control pests and withstand extreme conditions. She retired in 2018 at the age of 79 after a 35-year career with Syngenta.
“Mary-Dell Chilton is a true trailblazer and icon in our industry, and this extraordinary award further confirms the scale and impact of her contributions to the field,” said Justin Wolfe, President Syngenta Seeds. “We are honored to recognize this achievement alongside our former colleague and leader who has inspired innovative thinking and approaches to research during her 35 years at Syngenta and beyond.”
This award is the latest recognition in a history of awards and achievements for Chilton, including the honor of the Golden Goose Award on September 27, which celebrates federally funded research that benefits society. Previous awards include the World Food Prize in 2013 and the Benjamin Franklin Medal.
During the late ’70s and early ’80s, Chilton was inspired by nature to transfer a naturally occurring agrobacterium into the gene of a tobacco plant. She led a collaborative research study at Washington University in St. Louis, and although the GMO tobacco she worked on was never commercialized, it was here where she discovered how to do it.
[...] Read Full Story
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Source: Progressive Farmer
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USDA expects the average cost of growing an acre of corn to decline in 2024, primarily due to the impact of lower fertilizer expenses. Soybean growing expenses are also lower, and early analysis suggests it's likely the more profitable crop option for next year.
According to the federal agency, it will cost growers an average of $856.43 to raise an acre of corn in 2024. That's down from an estimated $888.23 per acre in 2023 and $926.82 in 2022, according to the Economic Research Service's initial estimates for 2024 and updated projections for 2023.
"The new 2023 estimate reflects lower operating costs of fertilizer, chemicals and seed, offsetting smaller gains in the cost of fuel, operating interest and a higher overhead," DTN lead analyst Todd Hultman said. "The most talked about input of the past two years has been fertilizer."
He said USDA's estimate for fertilizer expenses for corn dropped from $225.78 per acre in 2022 to $189.55 in 2023, a 16% reduction. For 2024, USDA expects the cost of fertilizer to drop another 17% to $156.92 per acre.
While farmers received a reprieve on their fertilizer bill, Hultman notes overall costs are still high, and for 2023, the average amount a farmer needs to break even on corn is $5.08 per bushel, higher than the national average cash price of $4.54 per bushel as of Tuesday, Nov. 14.
[...] Read Full Story
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