Both the Iowa House and Senate passed a bill this week classifying Palmer amaranth as a noxious weed. The governor is expected to sign the bill yet this week. AAI was signed on in support of the bill, HF 410.

 

The bill gives weed commissioners authority to deal with unmanaged Palmer amaranth, but defers to federal guidelines for Conservation Reserve Program acres to prevent land owners from getting squeezed between conflicting sets of weed management rules.

AgSTATE is an informal coalition made of Executives and Chairs of the major agricultural farm and commodity groups, including Secretary of Ag, Bill Northey, and ISU's College of Agriculture's Dean, Wendy Wintersteen. The group is now facilitated by John Miranowski, and studies macro issues affecting Iowa agriculture.

foundation.agribiz.org

by: IDALS

Mobile (temporary) storage for liquid fertilizer is limited to a total capacity of 5000 gal or less at a location. The State of Iowa Code applies to commercial and private entities, dealers and farmers. A trailer storage system cannot be used for liquid fertilizer storage with a capacity of more than 5000 gal unless it is on a DOT approved trailer that is road worthy and legal to be moved on a highway at full capacity. Partially filling a larger tank capacity to the 5000 gal level is not permitted. The supplier and/or owner that fills non-compliant storage is responsible for the product and will be required to remove it immediately.

 

Quantities over 5000 gal of liquid fertilizer stored at a location are subject to secondary containment which includes loadout containment. For more information contact the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship or view Chapter 44 of the rules here.

The FFA Iowa State Leadership conference lets members showcase what they're doing and also help communities all around the world.  For six years the FFA has teamed up with Meals from the Heartland in Ames to package meals. They hope to make 200,000 meals in two days this year for a total 1.4 million meals made since the collaboration began.

State Vice President Cully Forsyth says, "In Iowa we have over 200 chapters but working in the service project today we probably have a little over 150. Just helping out today making food for people around the country and around the world."

Joel Odell with Meals from the Heartland says, "What we do here is going to make a big difference all around the world. We're going to send these meals as far away as South Africa, the Philippines, Haiti. We're in the business of saving lives, the FFA is in the business of feeding people, so we're in the same business together." READ MORE

by: Iowa Agribusiness Radio Network 

It was recently announced that the Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) is delaying the effective date of its interim final rule an additional six months to Oct. 19, 2017.

This was viewed as a positive step in the right direction according to many livestock groups.

"This is another step toward common sense and away from counterproductive government intrusion in the free market," said Craig Uden, National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) president. "That said, while a delay is welcome, ultimately this rule should be killed and American cattle producers should be free to market our beef without the threat of government-sanctioned frivolous lawsuits." READ MORE