June 8, 2017
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
 
Registration Open for Grain Grading Workshop - August 15 & 16

Register now for the 2017 AAI Grain Grading Workshops. Two dates are available - August 15 or August 16. Featuring the latest information on grain quality and information, the Grain Grading Workshops are led by inspectors from the National Grain Center - Federal Grain Inspection Service.
 
Space is limited! Each class has a 30 student maximum. Register today to reserve your seat. 


August 15 & 16, 2017
Ziegler CAT Facility
1500 Ziegler Dr. NW, 
Altoona, IA 50009

Check-in: 
8:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.
Class:
8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Lunch will be served at noon

Member Rate:  
$95 per person per session
Non-Member Rate:  
$125 per person per session

Questions about registration can be directed to Reilly Vaughan, 515-262-8323 or reilly@agribiz.org. Click here to register OR copy and paste:  http://agribiz.org/grain-grading-workshop/

IN THE NEWS
 
Iowa Farm Bureau Finds Positives In DNR 'Impaired Waters' Report
by: Brownfield News

Iowa Farm Bureau says a recent Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) report shows the number of "impaired waterbodies" in the state is leveling off.

Farm Bureau environmental policy advisor Rick Robinson says the report's two percent increase in impaired waters indicates long-term progress is taking place.  And Robinson says it showed other positive trends as well.

"Nitrate levels are trending steady to lower at 18 of 22 sites across the state for the last decade," Robinson says. "Total nitrogen was lower at 19 of 22 sites the last decade. And phosphorus levels trended steady to lower at 23 of 25 sites over the last decade."

Robinson credits record conservation practices and collaborative water quality work for the progress. He points to a 2016 Iowa State University poll of farmers in the state. Read More.

National Mergers Drive Iowa Co-op Consolidation
by: KCRG

The merger mania that's gripped global seed and chemical  companies has taken root in Iowa, with the number of grain and farm supply cooperatives shrinking about 45 percent over the past decade.

The co-ops, the hub of hundreds of small towns across Iowa, have dropped from 90 in 2007 to about 50 so far this year, according to preliminary data collected by Keri Jacobs, an Iowa State University economist, who recently released a report looking at consolidation. Read More.

Fifth Annual Iowa Women's Landowner Conference

Women farmland owners have the potential to transform Iowa's landscape and farm communities in significant and positive ways, given that Women own or co-own nearly half of Iowa's farmland.

Iowa County Women, Land and Legacy have partnered with Iowa Land Sales & Farm Management to provide information to women who want to learn more about caring for and passing on the land.

The Fifth Annual Iowa Women's Landowner Conference is targeting the educational needs of women in Iowa, focusing on their empowerment and encouraging local relationships.

The conference will be held on Thursday, June 22nd at the Michael J. Manatt Community Center in Brooklyn, Iowa. The conference is open to everyone, but is specifically tailored to women.

Registration begins at 7:30 am. Various speakers are scheduled throughout the day, concluding around 3:30 pm. The conference fee is $30. Breakfast, snacks, lunch, handouts and door prizes are all provided. Read More.

Clear Up Your Knowledge On Conservation Drainage Options
by: Conservation Districts of Iowa

Attendees receive a free kit to test their water at the CDI event at the Owens Bard in Lake City, IA on June 28.

Join the Conservation Districts of Iowa to hear about conservation drainage options, Wednesday, June 28, 2017 from 10 AM to 1:00 PM at the Owens Barn, 3774 Jennings Ave, Lake City, Iowa 51449. Download flyer here.

Lunch will be provided and attendees will receive a free kit that allows them to test their own tile water for nitrogen. There will be a presentation on the Owens Barn restoration. Lake City Farmer, Mark Schleisman will talk about the conservation drainage on this farm and private companies, commodity groups and conservation agencies will share the support they can bring to a farmer interested to learn more. 

All attendees can discover if conservation drainage is an option on their farm. RSVP for lunch to 515.289.8300 or clare.lindahl@cdiowa.org by June 21. Walk-ins welcome.  

Field Day Planned for June 13 Near Webster City
by: Iowa Learning Farms 

Iowa Learning Farms, in partnership with Prairie Rivers of Iowa, will host a cover crop and soil health field day Tuesday, June 13th. The 5:00-7:00 p.m. field day will be held at Larry Haren's farm, rural Webster City.  The field day is free and open to the public and includes a complimentary meal.

The workshop is free and open to the public, but reservations are suggested to ensure adequate space and food. Contact Liz Juchems at 515-294-5429 or email ilf@iastate.edu

National Pork Board Looks Ahead with "Secure Pork Supply Plan"

The National Pork Board (NPB), with support from USDA and other ag organizations, is working on a voluntary plan to minimize business disruption from foreign animal diseases.

The  Secure Pork Supply Plan, announced Wednesday at the World Pork Expo in Des Moines, Iowa, aims to boost communication and coordination of all pork chain segments to help producers keep their businesses running in the event of major disease outbreak.

"We're thankful that our country has not experienced a disease such as foot-and-mouth since 1929," said NPB President Terry O'Neel. "However, if we get the news that FMD, African swine fever or another foreign animal disease has arrived, the Secure Pork Supply plan will pay big dividends by getting pork production back to normal much faster." Read More.

Asmark Posters

Set of three - $15.00 
Each - $6.00 

We have a limited supply of these, so please order as soon as possible.

Office Summer Hours

Monday- Thursdays
8 AM - 4:30 PM

Fridays: 
8 AM - 12:00 PM

2017 Golf Tournament
MEETINGS & EVENTS
Click on the title below to view our info page with sign up and/ or payment options.
Upcoming Events
& Meeting
Legislative Committee Meeting
10:00 AM
June 16
AAI Board Room

AAI Services Board Meeting
10:00 AM
June 22
AAI Board Room

Environment
Committee Meeting
10:00 AM
June 23
AAI Board Room

AAI Executive Committee Meeting
10:00 AM
June 29
AAI Board Room

Agronomy Committee Meeting
10:00 AM
July 6
AAI Board Room

AAI Board Meeting
10:00 AM
July 11
AAI Board Room

Fox Ridge Golf Club
Dike, IA
July 25
Co-Hosted w/ AGP

Emerald Hills Golf Course
Arnolds Park, IA
July 26
Co-Hosted w/ AGP

Tournament Club of Iowa
August 3
Co-Hosted w/ United Services Association

Iowa Certified Crop Adviser Exam
August 4
Ames, IA
registration deadline June 23

8:00 AM- 3:30 PM
Ziegler CAT Facility
Altoona, IA

The Preserve at
Rathbun Lake
September 7

Sponsors
Thank you for making AAI great!
Education & Foundation











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