A five-minute summary of AAI, regulation, and industry activities for members of the largest state agribusiness association in the nation. | |
Board Election - Vote By August 21 | |
Ballots for the Agribusiness Association of Iowa Board of Directors election were sent out last week to all voting members both electronically and via US Postal Service. If you are the voting member for your company and have not received a ballot, please contact Sally Thompson - sally@agribiz.org or 515.868.0323.
The Agribusiness Association of Iowa (AAI) Board of Directors serve a vital role in shaping the policy of the association on behalf of the membership. The nominations from our membership for this year’s Board of Directors election yielded a set of extremely qualified candidates nominated to serve. Candidates are listed below.
Agronomy Director Candidates:
Erik Christian, Pivot Bio
Troy Koehler, New Century FS
Animal Industry Director Candidates:
Scott Lovin, AgState
At-Large Candidates:
Bonnie Andersen, ExecutiveAg Recruiting Advisors
Rowdy Smith, United Services Association
Edwin Suarez, Landus Cooperative
Sarah Windhorst, Premier Crop Systems
District 1 Director Candidates:
Rob Cogdill, Cogdill Farm Supply
District 3 Director Candidates:
Scott Black, Five Star Cooperative
Jay Matthews, GROWMARK
District 4 Director Candidates:
Chris Behrens, Heartland Co-op
Kevin Steward, Tidal Grow AgriScience
A reminder that ballots must be received by August 21, 2024.
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Serious Questions Remain About EPA Atrazine Proposal
Article Provided by: Triazine Network
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Growers and applicators received good news in early July when EPA proposed an increase in the atrazine aquatic level of concern (CE-LOC) from the ultra-low 3.4 parts per billion (ppb) level to a new level of 9.7 ppb. This announcement came on the heels of a Scientific Advisory Panel (SAP) for atrazine held last August. The Triazine Network, an alliance of agricultural organizations, had requested the SAP last year and met with EPA in mid-July to discuss this latest proposal.
Now for the bad news. While the CE-LOC moved from 3.4 ppb to 9.7 ppb - nearly three times higher - the mitigation maps of impacted areas only minimally changed. EPA’s flawed mitigation maps and modeling would negate the positive impacts of the higher CE-LOC. Unfortunately, EPA continues to ignore 20 years of actual water monitoring data from states, and from its own programs.
The Triazine Network had also asked EPA to review two studies not included in the SAP. The worst of the two studies is extremely low quality and continues to significantly impact the atrazine CE-LOC. Because of the continued use of that flawed study, the CE-LOC remains under 10 parts per billion.
“The change in the CE-LOC is good, but if EPA uses the bad mitigation maps and doesn’t get the science right, that negates the progress made,” said Triazine Network Co-Chair Greg Krissek, Kansas Corn. “We had constructive meetings with EPA staff. It is a positive step that EPA appears to be open to taking our concerns into consideration before they release their final proposal. We look forward to continuing our dialogue with the agency to address these issues.”
EPA officials said they will open a comment period following the final atrazine proposal later this year.
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Grain Grading Workshops | August 20 & 21 | |
Member Registration - $130
Non-Member Registration - $155
Location:
Little Sioux Events Center
201 Linden St.
Cherokee, Iowa 51012
Grain Grading Workshop sessions begin at 8:30 AM and ends at 3:30 PM. Lunch is provided.
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IOWA CCA SUMMER WORKSHOP -
REGISTRATION DEADLINE AUGUST 9
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August 13 | 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
ISU Extension Field Education Lab (FEEL)
1928 240th St, Boone, Iowa (West of Ames off HWY 30)
Click Here to Register!
The CCA Summer Workshop will emphasize environmental factors and soil in crop outcomes. Speakers and topics include:
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Chemical damage - Damian Franzenburg, Iowa State University
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Tissue Sampling - Mitch Larson, Winfield United
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Plant disease & insect pests - Alison Robertson & Daren Mueller, Iowa State University
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Nutrient management trials - Richard Roth, Iowa State University
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Endangered Species Act - David Reddel, Wilbur-Ellis
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Soil health testing - Alicia Bryan, Waypoint Analytical
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Soil fertility lab - Joe Thelen, Waypoint Analytical
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Nitrogen Stabilizers - Edwin Suarez, Landus
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Iowa Nitrogen Initiative - Sotirios Archontoulis, Iowa State University
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Risk and insurance claims - David Reddel, Wilbur-Ellis
This event provide 6.5 CEUs in the following areas:
1.0 Crop Management 1.5 Nutrient Management 2.0 Integrated Pest Management 2.0 Soil and Water Management
Register Online and mark your calendar for August 13!
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If You Don't Golf, Is It Even Summer? | |
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Give your summer a boost - attend an AAI Golf Outing!
Amana Registration Deadline August 12
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Summer means more when you spend some time on the golf course with your industry colleagues and customers. Join us the next two weeks for outings in eastern Iowa and central Iowa.
Register now to make sure you summer is complete!
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Upcoming Golf Tournaments
August 15 - AAI Tournament
Amana Colonies Golf Course - Amana
August 22 - AAI Tournament
Coldwater Golf Links - Ames
September 11 - AAI Chairman's Foundation Tournament
The Preserve on Rathbun Lake - Moravia
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Disaster Declarations and Resources | |
Visit the Governor's website for links to resources and information on additional declarations that may be applicable to you or your business:
https://www.iowa.gov/iowa-disaster-recovery
Links to state and federal programs and agencies can be found on the site.
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Thank You For Your Membership! | |
As a member of AAI, you are the driving force of the complete business network that empowers Iowa agriculture. Thank you for your membership and your commitment to the success of agribusiness in Iowa.
The following companies have recently joined or renewed their membership for the 2024 Membership Year.
- Hanigan Law Group, PLC
- Michlig Ag Solutions, Inc.
Not currently a member? Click Here to send us an email so we can follow up with your company and help you get connected to AAI.
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Member and Industry Visits
- Community State Bank
- Mechlig Ag Solutions
- Helena Agri-Enterprises, LLC
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August 15
AAI Golf Outing - Amana
Amana Colonies Golf Club
August 20 & 21
AAI Grain Grading Workshops
Little Sioux Event Center, Cherokee
August 22
AAI Golf Outing - Ames
Coldwater Golf Links
August 29
Membership Committee Meeting
Video Conference
September 4
Agronomy & Environment Committees Joint Meeting
LICA Farm, Melbourne
September 5
Legislative Committee Meeting
AAI Main Office Board Room
September 11
AAI Foundation Golf Outing - Moravia
AAI CHAIRMAN'S GOLF TOURNAMENT
The Preserve On Rathbun Lake
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Spray Drone Field Day Will Feature Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Demonstration | |
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach
Spray Drone Field Day
September 6 | 10:30 AM
Peterson Farm Solutions, 22077 430th St., Havelock
Register Online
Spray heights, pass overlaps and coverage will all be discussed Sept. 6
Unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) or remotely piloted or operated aircraft are seeing an increase in agricultural applications including but not limited to plant growth monitoring, plant health imagery and land surveying and terrain analysis. One new area of growth is pesticide spraying.
To demonstrate the operating capabilities and characteristics of spray drones, specialists with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and the Digital Ag Innovation Laboratory have scheduled a Spray Drone Field Day in Havelock, Iowa, on Sept. 6. The day will start at 10:30 a.m. with the morning session devoted to aerial applications of drones in agriculture. Registration starts at 10 a.m. and lunch is provided at no cost to registered participants.
The afternoon session will focus on spray drones and will include demonstrations of spraying with Hylio, Agras and XAG spray drones. Participants will observe drone design and spraying system parameters that are important for maximizing spray deposition and coverage on the targeted plants.
The event is being held in collaboration with Titan PRO SCI, Innovative Ag Solutions, and Terraplex Ag.The event will be held at Peterson Farm Solutions, 22077 430th St., Havelock.
Pre-registration by Sept. 3 is required and limited to 50 participants. Register online at https://iastate.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1HTdgmsADl4UeTY or call the ISU Extension and Outreach Pocahontas County office at 712-335-3103.
For more information, Contact Kapil Arora at 515-291-0174 or Gentry Sorenson at 641-430-6715.
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Source: Progressive Farmer
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State warning labels on products containing glyphosate that include information contrary to scientific findings from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency would constitute misbranding, if the agency grants a new petition filed Wednesday by state attorneys general from 11 states.
Glyphosate is the active ingredient in Roundup that has been the subject of numerous product-liability lawsuits across the country alleging cancer links to the herbicide's use.
Juries have awarded billions of dollars in damages to alleged victims, although EPA and other governmental bodies around the world have maintained available science establishes no cancer connection.
On Wednesday, attorneys general from Iowa and Nebraska led the filing of the petition, joined by those from Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Indiana, Louisiana, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota and South Carolina.
"Petitioners respectfully request EPA to declare that any state labeling requirements inconsistent with EPA's findings and conclusions from its human health risk assessment on human health effects, such as a pesticide's likelihood to cause cancer, birth defects, or reproductive harm, constitute misbranding under FIFRA (Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act)," the states said in the petition.
"The proposed rule merely seeks to clarify ambiguity concerning misbranding under FIFRA."
[...] Read Full Story
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After roaring into Florida Monday morning as a Category 1 hurricane, Tropical Storm Debby is crawling up the East Coast, bringing with it catastrophic flooding and dumping feet of rain on some parts of the country.
Debby has closed ports, damaged homes and businesses, and claimed at least five lives during what is expected to be an above-average hurricane season. The storm is expected to cause historic rainfall across southeast Georgia and eastern South Carolina through Friday, according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami.
The storm is expected to move off the Georgia coast on Tuesday.
“Debby will be recognized as the next billion-dollar weather disaster in the United States,” said AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jon Porter. “We do not forecast an extreme risk to lives and property from flooding very often. Flooding disasters are possible in multiple communities this week. People need to be prepared for potentially catastrophic flooding. When all is said and done, in fact, there could be tens of billions of dollars in total damage and economic impact from Debby.”
Debby could dump up to 18 inches of rain on parts of Florida and North Carolina through Saturday, causing flash flooding, forecasters predict.
Other parts of North Carolina, as well as Georgia and South Carolina, could see up to 30 inches of rain.
[...] Read Full Story
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Innovation in modern agriculture is helping to bridge the gap between environmental stewardship and society’s demand for farm-sourced products, including food, fiber, and biofuels. Such advancements allow for prime farmland to sustain a growing population, projected to brush close to 10 billion people by 2050, without resorting to destroying natural habitats.
Yet in a space where it makes sense for environmental groups to be allying themselves with major agricultural stakeholders at every opportunity, often the inverse happens: There is a vilification of “Big Ag” and production-scale farmers.
What should be a fundamental alliance toward sustainability instead pits soil and crop science against eco-ideology. And headlines aren’t shy about intensifying this divide.
Greenpeace, for example, blames “Big Ag” for pushing the climate crisis from a tipping point into a freefall. The Natural Resources Defense Council accuses animal agricultural of being major water and air polluters and of “making us sick.” Earthjustice conjures war-like imagery against the food system and “chemical-dependent monocultures.”
These hardened stances make the long-standing partnership toward soil health and environmental sustainability between Syngenta, one of the largest agricultural companies in the world, and The Nature Conservancy, a global land and water preservation nonprofit, remarkable.
After working together on a local level since 2009, the two organizations entered into a global partnership to have a broader and more substantial impact on improving farmland and natural spaces. Their efforts deliver multi-tiered initiatives toward land sustainability, systemic approaches to scientific improvements, and targeted investments across varying disciplines.
[...] Read Full Story
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The El Niño–Southern Oscillation is an unpredictable shift in winds and currents over tropical Pacific waters that significantly affects climates far and wide across the planet.
It now appears it might have a secret sibling. Dubbed the 'new El Niño', the Southern Hemisphere Circumpolar Wavenumber-4 Pattern emerges further south in the southwestern subtropical Pacific towards Australia and New Zealand. While the region that controls these weather shifts is relatively small, it can also trigger climate shifts across the whole of the Southern Hemisphere.
The international team of researchers who made the discovery say that it's going to be vital in understanding climate change in the years ahead.
"This discovery is like finding a new switch in Earth's climate," says meteorologist Balaji Senapati from the University of Reading in the UK.
"It shows that a relatively small area of the ocean can have wide-reaching effects on global weather and climate patterns."
By combining real world observations and advanced climate modeling covering 300 years, the researchers were able to track what they labeled a W4 pattern, repeating annually across the Southern Hemisphere with four alternating regions of warm and cool air.
The team also found that the smaller region near Australia and New Zealand works as a control lever for W4, with ocean temperature changes in this part of the world in turn influencing atmospheric temperatures in the southern sub-tropics and mid latitudes.
[...] Read Full Story
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