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MDA revised certification plan: Mixer/loader/handler requirements FAQ
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s (MDA) certification plan was required to be revised to meet the new standards of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) certification rule (revised in January 2017). This revision of the MDA’s certification plan was to ensure that our plan stays in compliance with revised federal certification rule and the MDA has the authority in the state to issue licenses/certifications to pesticide applicators.
Below is a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) received from industry with the MDA responses on the new statutory requirements of revised certification plan for the Mixer/Loader/Handler.
https://www.mda.state.mn.us/revised-certification-plan-faqs
For additional information or questions, please contact:
Gurinderbir (G) Chahal
Pesticide & Fertilizer Management
651-201-6472
G.Chahal@state.mn.us
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‘Adding some fun’: MCPR announces Casino Night fundraiser
Work hard, play hard. Right?
MCPR is counting down the days until its inaugural After Hours Casino Night hosted by the Minnesota Certified Crop Advisors (MCCA) on Dec. 11, 2024, in conjunction with the 2024 CPM Short Course and MCPR Trade Show at the Minneapolis Hilton hotel. After a day chock full of educational sessions, kick back and play a variety of casino games while networking with peers.
Full story.
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MCPR seeking board director nominations
MCPR is looking for candidates to run for the board of directors. In a few weeks, we will be opening nominations for board candidates. If you are interested in one of the positions, please contact Nominations Committee Chair Arnie Sinclair at arnie.sinclair@titanmachinery.com to learn more about the opportunities. If you are interested in a District 2 & 4 seat, check out the MCPR membership zones on the district map to determine which zone best fits based on your coop’s location.
• District 2 Director
• District 4 Director
• Custom Applicator
• Technology Rep
• At-large
Serving on the MCPR Board is not just a responsibility, but a rewarding opportunity. It's a chance to be part of key discussions about the future of ag retail in Minnesota and to expand your network of professional contacts.
For the election this year, MCPR will be using electronic balloting. The key contacts in our database for each member organization will receive a ballot form they can use to cast their votes. If your coop has multiple locations, each location with a paid membership will be eligible to vote. Our staff team is currently working to contact member organizations to update our contact list and ensure that our multi-location coop members can effectively participate in the voting process.
If you have any questions or would like more information about the election process, please contact MCPR executive director Lee Helgen at lee@mcpr-cca.org.
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Scholarship applications due Nov. 1
The MCPR Board of Directors will award their annual scholarship at the CPM Short Course and MCPR Trade Show Dec. 10-12. Applicants must be Minnesota residents and entering their second, third, or fourth year of a four-year institution of higher learning or, the second year of a two-year institution of higher learning. Completed 2024 applications must be postmarked by Nov. 1, 2024.
View the application here.
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Opening bid on stopgap funds package readied in House
From Roll Call
Speaker Mike Johnson is prepping a stopgap funding extension ahead of this month’s deadline that combines some red meat for conservatives with policies that lawmakers in both parties will likely find attractive.
According to sources familiar with the discussions, the Louisiana Republican’s plan would pair a six-month continuing resolution with House-passed legislation aimed at ensuring noncitizens can’t vote in federal elections.
Full story.
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Raise taxes on the rich or cut them? Harris and Trump differ on how to boost the US economy
From AP
Donald Trump is betting that Americans crave trillions of dollars in tax cuts — and that growth will be so fantastic that it’s not worth worrying about budget deficits.
In short, he’s hoping that most economic analyses of his ideas are dead wrong.
Vice President Kamala Harris believes that big corporations and the ultra-wealthy should pay more in taxes — and wants to use those revenues to help spur the construction of 3 million homes and offer tax breaks for parents.
Full story.
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Special Counsel Smith files new indictment in Trump’s Jan. 6 case
From Minnesota Reformer
Adjusting for the U.S. Supreme Court’s sweeping presidential immunity decision last month, U.S. Special Counsel Jack Smith filed a fresh federal indictment alleging former President Donald Trump attempted to overturn the 2020 election in his favor. Smith emphasized the private nature of Trump and his co-conspirators’ alleged conduct and omitted allegations that Trump pressured Department of Justice officials to overturn election results.
Full story.
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Russian influence scheme deceived right-wing content creators
From Axios
A Russian influence operation used unwitting, prominent right-wing influencers to spread propaganda ahead of the 2024 election, the Justice Department alleged Wednesday. The influencer scheme is yet another chapter in Russia's long running effort to infiltrate the opinions of American audiences via social media and online manipulation.
Full story.
Related article from NPR: U.S. accuses Russia of sophisticated influence campaigns against U.S. voters
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USDA’s latest farm income data looks brighter than early 2024 numbers
From AgWeb
USDA–Economic Research Service (ERS) has released updated projections for 2024 farm income, and though it’s still anticipated to decline, the outlook doesn’t look quite as dim as it did earlier this year.
The new numbers show net cash farm income for the 2024 calendar year will fall $12 billion, which is about 7% down from 2023, and net farm income will fall $6.5 billion or 4.4%. This is compared to projections released in February of this year that suggested net farm income would fall 26%.
Full story.
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New study looks at the relationship between farmers and their advisors
From The Scoop
Purdue University’s Center for Food and Agricultural Business has released a new study that takes a look at the relationship between farmers and ag professionals.
Participants were asked to report the size of their farm and the frequency of their interactions with advisors such as agronomists, nutritionists, sales reps, processors and lenders. Local ag professionals were found to be the most common resources of not only supplies and services, but also knowledge.
Full story.
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How low will we go? USDA expected to cut their 2024 net farm income forecast
From AgWeb
USDA's Economic Research Service (ERS) will provide an updated 2024 net farm income forecast on Thursday. Even with improvements in livestock margins, the August Ag Economists’ Monthly Monitor showed the majority of ag economists expect the further deterioration in crop prices to weigh on the overall net farm income picture and force the agency to revise their forecast lower.
Full story.
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Nutrient stewardship is a key to profitable crop nutrition
From Farm Week Now
One key factor to ensuring greater profitability on your farm is to increase overall management of crop nutrients utilizing 4R nutrient stewardship principles which focus on the right source, the right rate, the right place and the right time.
When nutrient recommendations and applications are managed using 4R principles, nutrient uptake can be optimized, nutrient loss and environmental impact can be minimized, crop yields can be maximized and greater profitability can be realized.
Full story.
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Crop Nutrition: The outlook for fall fertility remains strong
From Crop Life
For ag retailers counting on crop nutrition application, it’s almost an annual rite of passage. Usually going into the spring season, there’s cautious optimism that market conditions will be just positive enough to spur strong demand among grower-customers. In the end, most ag retailers take a “middle of the road” attitude towards their fertilizer application outlook.
Full story.
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Farmer interest in biologicals continues to grow
From Farm Progress
According to a recent survey, more farmers are aware of agricultural biologicals compared to two years ago, and more farmers are using biologicals in their cropping program than were two years ago. Those findings are from a new study, Ag Biologicals: Revisiting Farmer Value, Perception and Potential.
Since 2022, when a similar study was conducted, the percentage of row crop farmers saying they are aware of biologicals and their potential value increased from 83% to 87%. Farmers who report having used one or more biological products in row crop production also increased, to 45% — approaching half of all farmers in the survey.
Full story.
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Pesticide Safety Workshop information from UMN Extension Pesticide Safety and Environmental Education team
PSEE provides recertification and pre-certification and professional development workshops for commercial and noncommercial pesticide applicators. View the calendar of workshops at this link.
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MDA seeks applications for Crop Research Grants
MDA is now seeking applications for the Agricultural Growth, Research, and Innovation (AGRI) Crop Research Grant Program.
Crop Research Grant funding is intended to generate applied research that will improve agricultural product quality, quantity, or value within Minnesota’s crop industry. Projects must have near-term benefits for Minnesota’s farmers and the state’s economy. Special consideration will be given to research on crops with limited access to other research funds, as well as projects with an outreach plan describing how activities or outcomes will meaningfully involve or inform farmers or rural communities with limited economic opportunities.
Full story.
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Minnesota Crop Production Retailers 1020 Innovation Lane, Mankato, MN 56001
(763) 235-6466
mcpr-cca.org
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