April 12 , 2018
WHITE
A five-minute summary of AAI, regulation, and industry activities for members of the largest state agribusiness association in the nation.
In This Issue
AAI IN ACTION
 
Information Site for Prop 65 Glyphosate Lawsuit

AAI members and others interested in the lawsuit against California's Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment over the flawed classification of glyphosate as a carcinogen can follow the progress of the lawsuit and access additional information at https://www.fixprop65.com .

The site is run by the national coalition of agriculture groups signed on as plaintiffs in this suit and includes research on glyphosate, background on the case against California, and testimonials from farmers and agriculture leaders who would be severely impacted if the state's labeling requirement is enforced.

Last fall, the Agribusiness Association of Iowa joined the lawsuit against the state of California to overturn the flawed requirement forcing companies to falsely label glyphosate as a carcinogen. Despite findings from nearly every regulatory agency worldwide showing the herbicide to be safe, glyphosate was designated as a cancer-causing agent under California's Proposition 65.

A date for arguments in the case is yet to be determined. AAI will continue to update members as the lawsuit progresses.

More Information: https://www.fixprop65.com


2018 Grain Merchandiser Risk Academy


INTL FCStone  Financial Inc. will be hosting the 2018 Grain Merchandising Risk Academy in Chicago, Illinois, August 1 - 3, 2018.  There is a special $100 discount off the registration fee for all AAI Members -  $100 Off Discount Code is: G&F

Covered Topics:
  • Importance of Price Risk Management to your firm and your customers
  • Working knowledge of Basis, Spreads & Margin
  • Originating Cash Market Contracts
  • Enhanced Grain Origination Techniques
  • Futures, Options, Cash & OTC Markets
  • Record Keeping
More Information on INTLFCStone.cvent.com

Save these Dates! 2018 Summer Golf Tournament Dates and Locations


Our golf tournaments are a great way to network and grow your connections in the agribusiness community.  We host four golf tournaments in the state of Iowa: two in July, one in August, and one in September. Save these dates!
  • July 24 | Fox Ridge Golf Course - Dike
  • July 25 | Emerald Hills Golf Course - Arnolds Park
  • August 9 | The Legacy Golf Club - Norwalk
  • September 13 | TBD
IN THE NEWS
 
Gov. Reynolds Issues Statement After Meeting with President Trump on Trade
by: Office of the Governor

Gov. Kim Reynolds issued the following statement on Thursday following her meeting with President Donald Trump and other governors and congressional leaders on trade and other issues impacting the agriculture community. The meeting was held at the White House in Washington, D.C.

"I want to thank the president for a productive meeting on agriculture and trade. He understands that for our farmers to be successful, we need to grow - not contract - our markets.

"In addition to discussing trade with China, we emphasized the importance of finalizing NAFTA negotiations, expanding the use of E15 year-round and reconsidering the TPP.

"The president listened to our concerns, said that he is determined to resolve the dispute with China, said that he intends to expand E15 and ordered his top advisors to study the possibility of reentering the TPP.

"I appreciate the opportunity to meet with the president, as well as his administration's continued commitment to partner with states and listen to their concerns."

Ethanol Concerned Over Renewable Fuel Waivers
by: Agribusiness Report 

In the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) oil refiners have a volume obligation of renewable fuels that they have to put in the gasoline supply. If they don't, they may purchase Renewable Identification Numbers (RINS) from other refiners.

However, some refiners rack up millions of dollars in RIN debts. and claim that they cannot afford to meet the requirements, then petition the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for a waiver.

These are supposed to be for small refiners who produce fewer than 75,000 barrels a day. In the past, they would also have to prove that they face disproportionate economic hardship under the RFS. Read More

Cargill Announces $20M Expansion to Big Lake Facility
by: Twin Cities Business

In response to increased customer and consumer demand for a greater variety of cooked egg products, Cargill announced Wednesday that it will invest $20 million in expanding its egg processing facility in Big Lake.
 
The expansion will enable the facility to pasteurize, mix and cook a number of new egg products for foodservice and protein ingredient customers, the company said. It will add a dozen new positions at the site to support the new operations - increasing employment there by 16 percent, or about 90 workers. The project also involves doubling the facility's annual requirement for eggs from family farms in the area to 170 million. Read More

IFBF appoints Joe Johnson new Executive Director
by: IFBF

The Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF) announced that Joe Johnson has been named the new executive director and secretary-treasurer of the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation.

Johnson assumes his new position on April 20, 2018. He succeeds Denny Presnall who will retire after 36 years with Farm Bureau.

"As a long-time leader in our organization, Joe is passionate about Farm Bureau and brings in-depth knowledge of the organization and agriculture that will be a tremendous asset to us," says IFBF President Craig Hill. "The IFBF Board of Directors believes his integrity, proven leadership experience and ability to build solid relationships will help lead IFBF into the next century and we look forward to working with him." Read More

Ag Giant Nutrien Ltd. Rebrands Retail Businesses
by: BizWest

Nutrien Ltd. is launching a newly branded retail business, Nutrien Ag Solutions.  The name change for the retail business, effective July 1, will apply to all offices and operating facilities in North and South America that hold the names Crop Production Services, Agroservicios Pampeanos and Utilfertil.

The new name will align the retail business across the globe and strengthen the company's long-term mission of helping growers sustainably increase food production.

"Our goal is to create a consistent global Agriculture Brand that represents value and productivity for our customers,"  Chuck Magro, president and CEO of Nutrien, said in a prepared statement. Read More

Dicamba Training
Dicamba/auxin online training options can
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Strategic Partners Bring Service and Savings to AAI Members


 

MEETINGS & EVENTS
Upcoming Events
& Meeting
AAI Board Meeting
10:00 AM
April 17
AAI Board Room

Agribusiness Showcase & Conference Committee Meeting 
10:00 AM
May 8
AAI Board Room

Office Closure
May 28
Memorial Day Monday
Summer Hours Begin
(M-Th 8-4:30 PM; F 8-12 PM)

4R Nutrient Steward Summit
June 11-12
Embassy Suites
Des Moines

Office Closure
July 4
Independence  Day

AAI Golf Tournament #1
Co-host: AGP
11:00 AM
July 24
Fox Ridge Golf Course
Dike, IA

AAI Golf Tournament #2
Co-host: AGP
11:00 AM
July 25
Emerald Hills Golf Course
Arnolds Park, IA

AAI Golf Tournament #3
Co-host: USA
10:00 AM
August 9
Norwalk, IA

Chicago, IL
August 1-3
AAI Member $100 Off  Discount Code: G&F

Agribusiness Showcase & Conference Summer Workshop
TBD
August, 2018

Office Closure
September 3
Labor Day Monday
Summer Hours End
WATCH THE AGRIBUSINESS REPORT 


SAFE & SOUND ONLINE TRAINING
by Asmark 

Agribusiness Association of Iowa 
515-262-8323 |   aai@agribiz.org www.agribiz.org
900 Des Moines Street |  Des Moines, IA 50309