A five-minute summary of AAI, regulation, and industry activities for members of the largest state agribusiness association in the nation. | |
EPA Existing Stocks Order for Dicamba Products | |
On February 14, 2024, EPA issued its Existing Stocks Order for Dicamba Products Previously Registered for Over-the-Top Use on Dicamba-Tolerant Cotton and Soybean. EPA issued the existing stocks order following the February 6, 2024, order and judgement by the District of Arizona vacating the registrations for three products, XtendiMax® with VaporGrip® Technology (“XtendiMax”), Engenia® Herbicide (“Engenia”), and A21472 Plus VaporGrip® Technology (Tavium® Plus VaporGrip® Technology) (“Tavium”). As of February 6, 2024, these products are no longer registered, and it is unlawful under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) to sell or distribute them except to the extent otherwise authorized by EPA.
EXISTING STOCKS SUMMARY FOR IOWA
February 6, 2024 - No sale or distribution by registrants after February 6, 2024.
May 13, 2024 - Last day for sale or distribution by co-ops, commercial distributors, or others who are already in possession. These entities may sell or distribute these products until May 13, 2024 in the state of Iowa.
June 12, 2024 - End date for use of existing stocks is June 12, 2024. Application of existing stocks is permitted until June 12, 2024 or V4 growth stage (soybean) whichever comes first.
The above information is a summary reference to highlight important dates for the state of Iowa. End dates assume entity assumed possession of the dicamba products prior to February 6, 2024.
Read the full EPA existing stocks order for all details that may apply to your specific situation at the link below:
Existing Stocks Order for Dicamba Products Previously Registered for Over-the-Top Use on Dicamba-Tolerant Cotton and Soybean
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FMCSA Safety Measurements Website Updates | |
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has updated the Safety Measurement System (SMS) Website with March 29 results. Complete SMS results are available to enforcement users and motor carriers logged into the SMS Website.
FMCSA SMS Website
SMS Authorized User Login
The Prioritization Preview Website is updated monthly; motor carriers can log into the Preview site to see what their prioritization results would be under the proposed new methodology.
Prioritization Preview Website
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Illness, Injury, Natural Disaster - Farm Rescue Available To Help With Spring Farmer Needs | |
Farm Rescue is currently accepting applications from families needing planting and hay baling assistance. If you know a family who suffered an illness, injury, or natural disaster and who could use some assistance getting their field work done, please refer them at www.farmrescue.org
Farm Rescue will promptly respond to all referrals and the referring party can remain anonymous if desired. Even if neighbors a pitching in, Farm Rescue is ready and able to ease burden in the community by doing our part to help farm families through a time of need.
These services are provided free to the family in need. Visit the website for more information:
www.farmrescue.org
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FOUNDATION GOLF TOURNAMENT | SEPT. 11 | |
Help Build The Employee Pipeline For Agribusiness In Iowa |  | |
All AAI member companies are invited to sponsor the AAI Chairman's Foundation Golf Tournament in support of the Agribusiness Career Day. This golf event takes place on September 11 in Moravia, Iowa, near Rathbun Lake.
Be recognized for your support!
All sponsors at the Chairman's Golf Tournament will receive:
- Special designation as a Chairman's Tournament Sponsor
- Special acknowledgement to the student attendees of company support at the Agribusiness Career Day in 2025
- PLUS all of the regular golf sponsor benefits and acknowledgements
The Agribusiness Career Day is an opportunity for first year students from ag programs at Iowa community colleges and FFA high school seniors to gain insight on future employment skills and opportunities from industry professionals, government officials, and ag experts.
The AAI Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization promoting research projects, member education, stewardship, and scholarships that benefit AAI members and their families.
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TEE IT UP - AAI GOLF OUTINGS
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May 1
AAI Showcase Committee Meeting
2:00 PM | Northey Building Board Room
June 13
AAI Membership Committee Meeting
1:00 PM | Northey Building Board Room
June 4 & 5
Iowa Ag Aviation Association Analysis Fly-In
AAI Members Invited To Attend
Newton Municipal Airport
June 25
AAI Animal Industry Committee Meeting
Iowa State University Kent Feed Mill & Grain Science Complex
June 27
AAI Board of Directors Meeting
10:00 AM | Northey Building Board Room
July 25
AAI Golf Outing - Okoboji
Emerald Hills Golf Club
August 15
AAI Golf Outing - Amana
Amana Colonies Golf Club
August 22
AAI Golf Outing - Ames
Coldwater Golf Links
September 11
AAI Foundation Golf Outing - Moravia
AAI CHAIRMAN'S GOLF TOURNAMENT
The Preserve On Rathbun Lake
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Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Crop Scout School - May 16, 2024 | |
The Iowa State University Extension Crop Scout School prepares individuals with little or no previous crop scouting experience, providing a foundation of basic skills for crop scouting in the Midwest. Correctly identifying pests in the field is critical for selecting the correct tools to economically manage the issue.
Students will rotate through sessions and have the opportunity to have one-on-one interactions with specialists. Live corn and soybean plants and weed samples will be provided to give students the opportunity to look at living plants, rather than pictures, and practice with their field guides and other resources before they go to the field.
Cost is $150, and includes lunch, refreshments, and course materials including hard copies of the ISU Corn and Soybean Field Guide, Field Crop Insects Guide, Corn Disease Guide, and Soybean Disease Guide as well as a digital version of the ISU Weed ID Guide and other course materials.
For more information and to register, visit:
https://go.iastate.edu/CIODCP
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The U.S. drought picture has drastically changed over the past six months, but dry conditions continue to grip the western Corn Belt. Meteorologists say there’s a stark difference in planting conditions in the west versus the east this year.
The latest U.S. Drought Monitor shows after an El Nino winter and active early spring weather pattern, drought coverage is now at its lowest level since spring of 2020. In early April, more moisture fell across the Mississippi Valley to the East Coast. A strengthening low-pressure system and trailing cold front brought 6" to 18" of snow across the Upper Midwest and northern New England. Rain also saturated soils to the south.
Planting progress numbers for corn are starting to roll in, but USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey says there’s another crop to watch that might be a better indicator of planting progress this spring.
“I think oat planting is actually a pretty good surrogate for how fieldwork is actually going in the Midwest this time of year,” Rippey says. “You'll notice an interesting trend on the oat planting chart — in the western part of the Corn Belt, look how fast the crop is going in.”
USDA’s second Crop Progress of the year last week showed oat planting in Iowa is 20 points ahead of normal. South Dakota is 12 points quicker than the average pace. Both are signs that dry weather is creating a rapid planting pace.
[...] Read Full Story
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Anyone applying agricultural pesticides (certified applicator or not) needs to be aware of changes coming to pesticide labels across the United States.
In an effort to address concerns related to the impact of pesticides on threatened or endangered species and in response to ongoing litigation, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has developed an online system called Bulletins Live! Two that determines if additional pesticide use limitations are needed to protect listed species or habitat based on the site location, pesticide product and application month.
The system is intended to avoid blanket use restrictions and instead limit restrictions to geographic and time-specific use patterns that should be avoided to protect endangered species and their habitat.
The Endangered Species Act of 1973 provides a framework to conserve and protect endangered and threatened species and their habitats domestically and abroad. An endangered species is an organism threatened by extinction. Threatened species are likely to become endangered soon. Together, threatened and endangered species are commonly referred to as listed species. The ESA requires listing determinations to consider only scientific and commercial information; economic factors are not allowed to be regarded as part of the listing process. Species may also be removed from the list if they no longer need protection or have a change in status. Michigan currently has 26 known endangered or threatened species.
The EPA ensures that the use of pesticides does not jeopardize listed species or adversely impact their designated critical habitat. If the EPA determines that use of a pesticide may impact listed species, it initiates consultation with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service or the National Marine Fisheries Service to identify potential negative impacts. The agencies also develop and propose measures to mitigate these negative impacts. Based on the outcomes of this process, the EPA may require additional pesticide use limitations. These limitations are often included in the environmental hazards section of the pesticide label.
[...] Read Full Story
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To further protect the U.S. livestock industry from the threat posed by highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza, USDA is sharing a number of actions they are taking with federal partners to help get ahead of the disease and limit its spread.
USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has announced a Federal Order requiring the following measures, effective Monday, April 29:
- Mandatory testing for interstate movement of dairy cattle
- Prior to interstate movement, dairy cattle are required to receive a negative test for Influenza A virus at an approved National Animal Health Laboratory Network laboratory.
- Owners of herds in which dairy cattle test positive for interstate movement will be required to provide epidemiological information, including animal movement tracing.
- Dairy cattle moving interstate must adhere to conditions specified by APHIS.
- As will be described in forthcoming guidance, these steps will be immediately required for lactating dairy cattle, while these requirements for other classes of dairy cattle will be based on scientific factors concerning the virus and its evolving risk profile.
[...] Read Full Story
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The U.S. Department of Labor announced a final rule on Tuesday that will revise regulations issued under the Fair Labor Standards Act to ensure overtime pay for some salaried and highly compensated employees. Critics say the rule could prove a significant burden for brokers operating small businesses.
Starting July 1, 2024, salaried employees making less than $844 per week – equivalent to $43,888 per year – will become eligible for overtime. On Jan. 1, 2025, the threshold to receive overtime pay will be raised for workers making less than $1,128 per week – equivalent to $58,656 per year.
Additionally, highly compensated employees (HCEs) will have their minimum salary threshold raised from $107,432 per year to $132,964 per year starting July 1, 2024. On Jan.1, 2025, this threshold for HCEs will increase again to $151,164 per year. The rule will continue to automatically update both salaried employee and HCE thresholds on July 1, 2027, and every three years thereafter.
The full unpublished rule, which is set to be published on Friday, states that employers can satisfy up to 10% of the new salary level through the payment of nondiscretionary bonuses and incentive payments (including commissions) paid annually or more frequently. The other 90% of overtime accumulated would have to be paid in regular fashion.
Alexandria, Virginia-based Transportation Intermediaries Association, an organization representing transportation intermediaries of all disciplines, released a statement on Tuesday arguing against the new rule as bad for small businesses.
[...] Read Full Story
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