Whirlwind Event Showcases Emerging Technology
Event Discusses Regulatory Issues, Provides Training to Applicators, and Welcomes Attendees from across the nation
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds addresses over 240 college students during the Agribusiness Career Day on Feb 14.
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ASC 2018 Attendees Gain Knowledge, Info, and Experience
The Agribusiness Showcase & Conference concluded on Wednesday after a two day run that included 50 speakers, more than 100 exhibitors, and a number of awards for leadership in agriculture.
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey presented Water Quality Initiative Environmental Leader awards to two Certified Crop Advisors (CCA)and two agribusinesses (see article below). In addition to the awards, Northey spoke briefly about the progress of water quality efforts in Iowa under the Nutrient Reduction Strategy framework.
Also speaking at the conference were Governor Kim Reynolds, Lieutenant Governor Adam Gregg, and Lieutenant Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig. All the officials spoke about the positive effects agriculture has on the Iowa economy and the value of a strong ag sector in Iowa.
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Secretary's Water Quality Initiative Leadership Awards
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Iowa Ag Secretary Bill Northey presents CF Industries with the Iowa Water Quality Initiative Leadership Awards at breakfast on Wed, Feb 14, 2018. Pictured above (left to right) Nick DeRoos, Adam Olin, Yebin Zhao, Bill Northey, Rosemary O'Brien, Josh Shaw, and Alex Stege from CF Industries.
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CF Industries:
As a global leader in the production of nitrogen-based fertilizers, CF Industries understands the importance of feeding the world in a sustainable manner. Here in Iowa, CF recently invested over $2.5 billion to expand its Port Neal Nitrogen Complex, which sources much of the nitrogen applied across the state. CF is proud of its Iowa roots and its work to preserve the state's soil through the 4R Plus campaign.
Pictured above (left to right) Bill Northey, Jeff Koops and Joshua Plueger.
Farmers Coop Society:
Farmers Cooperative Society (FCS) is a 100% farmer owned cooperative located in NW Iowa, SW Minnesota, and SE South Dakota. The mission of FCS is focused around a High Road To High Yields core strategy which is leading with sustainable agronomic, economic, and environmentally advanced technology solutions.
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Pictured above (left to right) Joe Lalley, Bill Northey, and Jason Gomes.
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Iowa Certified Crop Advisers: Jason Gomes - As owner of North Iowa Agronomy Partners, LLC, Jason Gomes has been an independent agronomist since 2009.
Jason believes that water quality and soil quality are two sides of the same coin and that improving soil health is key to improving water quality region-wide. Joe Lally - Joe Lally's conservation ethic was developed early on as he grew up on a small dairy and hog farm in the Denison area. His father purchased the farm in 1956. By the time Joe left for the Army in 1968, they had installed terraces, grassed waterways, a 5 year crop rotation, among other practices, building a successful small farming operation by any standard at that time.
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New Initiative Launched
ASC 2018 was the launching pad for 4R Plus, a new program that includes infield management through the 4Rs and conservation practices that enhance nutrient management while improving the land. 4R Plus is the result of the efforts of more than 30 partner entities, including CF Industries who provided extensive support for the collaboration.
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Iowa Agribusiness PAC Fundraiser
 A Political Action Committee (PAC) Auction was a new facet of the 2018 Agribusiness Showcase & Conference. A wide variety of unique items and experiences were auctioned off with proceeds benefiting Iowa Agribusiness PAC. The auction raised more than $3,000 for the association's PAC efforts.
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Thank You to Sponsors & Exhibitors
The AAI Board of Directors and Staff would like to thank all the companies and individuals that helped make this show possible. Thank you to our sponsors and exhibitors!
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Iowan and President of National Pork Producers Council Testifies About Federal Regulations
by: Radio Iowa
An Iowa native who is president of the National Pork Producers Council testified before a U.S. Senate committee Wednesday on the impact of federal environmental policy and regulations on farmers.
Howard Hill is a veterinarian and a hog farmer from Cambridge. He told the committee that pork producers have a long history of working with federal regulators and support federal policies and programs as long as they are grounded in three principles. "The environmental performance expectations for producers have a high probability of resulting in meaningful environmental improvements...."
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Grassley Calls For Northey Vote, Cruz Continues Hold
by: Agribusiness Report
Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley took the Senate floor this week asking for a confirmation vote for Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey as Under Secretary at the USDA.
Senator Ted Cruz immediately objected to the request, maintaining the four month hold on Northey. He cites oil refiners losing money and jobs to what he called a broken RIN system in the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), which is a price oil refiners have to pay if they don't want to blend renewable fuels.
Cruz says he has no problems with Northey, in fact he has heard good things about him, but he wants promises that fixes will happen to the RIN system.
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Coalition launches 4R Plus nutrient and conservation stewardship program for Iowa's farmers
by: TNC
Today a group of agricultural and conservation stakeholders announced the launch of 4R Plus, a nutrient management and conservation program that equips Iowa farmers with
the tools and resources to protect and enhance Iowa soils.
"CF Industries, along with The Nature Conservancy, came together with a vision for a program that would empower Iowa farmers and their efforts to improve soil health," says Tony Will, president and CEO of CF Industries.
Support of this program has expanded to 30 organizations, including state commodity groups, agribusinesses, conservation organizations, government agencies, universities and others.
"We all have the same goal: to build upon the good work Iowa farmers are doing and provide them with more tools and resources to help them implement practices that enhance crop growth and boost yield potential and return on investment while safeguarding some of the best soil in the world," says Will.
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Dicamba/auxin training sessions can be found at:
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Upcoming Events
& Meeting
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Agronomy Committee Meeting
10:00 AM
Feb 28
AAI Board Room
AAI Executive Committee Meeting
10:00 AM
April 10
AAI Board Room
AAI Board Meeting
10:00 AM
April 17
AAI Board Room
AAI Golf Tournament #1
TBD
July 24
Fox Ridge Golf Course
Dike, IA
AAI Golf Tournament #2
TBD
July 25
Emerald Hills Golf Course
Arnolds Park, IA
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Strategic Partners Bring Service and Savings to AAI Members
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WATCH THE AGRIBUSINESS REPORT
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