A five-minute summary of AAI, regulation, and industry activities for members of the largest state agribusiness association in the nation. | |
Legislative Wrap Up - 2024 Session Positive for AAI Members | |
The Legislative Committee meeting on Tuesday provided insight on the 2024 legislative session. The session was largely in sync with AAI member priorities this year.
2024 Session Priorities With Outcomes
- Retain direct notification for farmer credit liens - Remains unchanged
- Funding for Iowa Nitrogen Initiative - Funded by legislature
- Retain Iowa Corn Checkoff as written - Remains unchanged
- IDALS appropriations requests - Supported
- Drone Legislation - Supported and passed
- Support for child care funding and initiatives - Pilot program extended
- Expansion of FFA Ag Education Programs and appropriations - Funding increased
- Support for continuation of grain indemnity fund - Fund remains in place
Additional Member Priorities Without Action By Legislature
- Legislation clarifying movable storage as equipment
- Elimination of grain excise tax
- Monitor tax reform legislation
- Secondary road improvement
- Monitor rail service legislation
The committee will work over the summer to identify priorities for 2025. They also will form a small subcommittee to review the Grain Indemnity Fund. If you have items the legislative committee should be aware of, contact us at aai@agribiz.org.
Get Involved!
The direction and impact of the association is a direct result of committee activities. Committees provide input and direction for the Board of Directors actions. You or someone within your company can serve on a committee by emailing aai@agribiz.org, calling the AAI office, or filling out a form online at:
https://www.agribiz.org/benefits-of-membership/join-a-committee/
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EPA Webinar on Mitigation Menu Website to Protect Nontarget Species from Pesticide Exposure | |
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will hold a public webinar on June 18, 2024, from 1-2 PM ET to provide an overview of its mitigation menu website that will describe mitigation options for reducing pesticide exposure to nontarget species from agricultural crop uses.
In November 2022, EPA issued an update to its Endangered Species Act (ESA) Workplan. The update included a plan to develop a menu of mitigation measures that the Agency would propose to include on pesticide product labeling, if needed, to reduce pesticide exposures from runoff and erosion. The Workplan Update, which details steps EPA is taking to better protect non-target species earlier in processes for Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) actions, explained that including the menu on pesticide labeling will improve flexibility for pesticide users to choose mitigations that work best for their situation, while still achieving an appropriate level of mitigation.
After reviewing public comments on the 2022 ESA Workplan and 2023 Draft Herbicide Strategy, EPA has been refining this mitigation menu approach, with revisions described in an update issued about the Herbicide Strategy in April 2024. EPA has proposed to host this mitigation menu on the Agency’s website rather than including it on each pesticide label. By posting the menu online, EPA can add or modify mitigation measures on the menu without updating thousands of individual labels each time, which would take years to complete. This approach ensures that agricultural pesticide users can benefit promptly from those changes to the menu.
The mitigation menu does not impose any requirements or restrictions on pesticide use. Rather, EPA will use this menu to inform mitigation measures for new active ingredient registrations and registration review of conventional pesticides. Mitigations described in the menu will not become effective until EPA adopts labels (following public comment) as part of these FIFRA actions. Future pesticide labels requiring runoff or erosion measures will refer to this website so users can quickly find the most updated list of measures.
The purpose of the webinar is to familiarize users with the website and how to navigate it. The webinar will include:
- A brief background on the goal and development of the mitigation menu,
- A demonstration of how users would follow new label directions using the website,
- An explanation of how to navigate the website,
- Directions on how to access other resources associated with the website, and
- An opportunity for questions and feedback on the proposed function of the menu, the website, and the use of the website for ESA strategies and additional types of mitigation (e.g., spray drift).
The webinar will be open to the public, and all interested stakeholders are invited to attend. The agenda and instructions for joining the webinar will be sent to registered attendees.
EPA Webinar Registration
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IRS announces tax relief for taxpayers affected by severe storms, tornadoes, flooding in Iowa | |
The Internal Revenue Service announced today tax relief for individuals and businesses in Iowa that were affected by severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding that occurred on May 20, 2024. These taxpayers now have until Nov. 1, 2024, to file various federal individual and business tax returns and make tax payments.
Following the disaster declaration issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), individuals and households that reside or have a business in Adair, Montgomery, Polk, and Story counties qualify for tax relief.
The declaration permits the IRS to postpone certain tax-filing and tax-payment deadlines for taxpayers who reside or have a business in the disaster area. For instance, certain deadlines falling on or after May 20, 2024, and before Nov. 1, 2024, are granted additional time to file through Nov. 1, 2024. As a result, affected individuals and businesses will have until Nov. 1, 2024, to file returns and pay any taxes that were originally due during this period.
The Nov. 1, 2024, deadline also applies to any payment normally due during this period, including the quarterly estimated tax payments due on June 17, 2024, and Sept. 16, 2024, and the quarterly payroll and excise tax returns normally due on July 31, 2024, and Oct. 31, 2024. In addition, penalties on payroll and excise tax deposits due on or after May 20, 2024, and before June 4, 2024, will be abated as long as the tax deposits were made by June 4, 2024.
If an affected taxpayer receives a late filing or late payment penalty notice from the IRS that has an original filing, payment or deposit due date that falls within the postponement period, the taxpayer should call the telephone number on the notice to have the IRS abate the penalty.
The IRS automatically identifies taxpayers located in the covered disaster area and applies filing and payment relief. But affected taxpayers who reside or have a business located outside the covered disaster area should call the IRS disaster hotline at 866-562-5227 to request this tax relief. Disaster area tax preparers with clients located outside the disaster area can choose to use the Bulk Requests from Practitioners for Disaster Relief option, described on IRS.gov.
Full Details:
IRS Announces Tax Relief
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Celebrating A New Fertilizer Plant in Boone | |
Agribusiness Association of Iowa (AAI) member Landus Cooperative had a ribbon cutting for their new fertilizer production and distribution facility in Boone, Iowa. As part of the celebration, AAI Interim CEO Mark Reisinger was asked to make a few comments. Former AAI CEO Bill Northey had provided supportive comments from the association for Landus when the project was being considered for a US Department of Agriculture grant.
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REGISTRATION OPEN
Nurse Tank Testing Workshops | JULY 16 & 17
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Location:
CNH Industrial Ag Information Center
23942 590th Ave
Nevada, Iowa 50201
Registration Fees:
AAI Member - $195 | Non-Member - $240
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The Agribusiness Association of Iowa (AAI) works with FMCSA to provide you with accurate information on becoming qualified to test your own tanks at your own facilities.
U.S. Department of Transportation will present the following:
- Introduction Overview of HAZMAT Textbook
- Registration/Inspector Qualifications/HM training External Visual Inspection
- Pressure Test, Leakage & Test Thickness Venting
- Record Keeping Nurse Tank Testing Demonstration
- NH3 Data Plates Inspectional Observations & Violations
Two sessions are being offered to allow the opportunity for companies to split participants between days if needed. Each participant only need attend one of the dates.
Full details available at the following link:
Nurse Tank Testing Workshop Registration
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REGISTRATION OPEN
Grain Elevator Operation Management & Bulk Material Handling Short Course | AUGUST 5-9
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Location:
ISU Kent Feed Mill and Grain Science Complex
1873 State Ave.
Ames, Iowa 50014
Registration Fees:
AAI Member - $1050 | Non-Member - $1200
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This week long course will teach the scientific principles and advanced practical skills to further increase the professional competence of grain industry employees.
Hosted by:
- International Grain & Feed Industry Academy at Iowa State University
- Agribusiness Association of Iowa Foundation
Full details available at the following link:
Advanced Grain Operations Short Course Outline
| ADDITIONAL EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES | |
IOWA CCA SUMMER WORKSHOP
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!
GRAIN GRADING WORKSHOPS
August 20 & 21 | 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM
Cherokee, Iowa
Registration Opens Late June
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THE GOLF IS STRONG WITH THIS ONE
Use the Force (of your mouse button) - Register Now!
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It's Time To Get Registered
The first golf tournament of the season is closer than you think. Register now and get ready for a great time on the golf course.
July 25 - AAI Tournament
Emerald Hills Golf Course - Okoboji
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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FOUNDATION GOLF TOURNAMENT | SEPT. 11 | |
Support The Agribusiness Career Day - Become a Sponsor | Foundation Tournament Sponsors | |
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Canadian Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Reception
Attended by: Mark White, AAI Board Chair, Smith Fertilizer and Grain; Mark Reisinger, AAI Interim CEO; Heath DeYoung, AAI Membership Director; Tyler Teske, AAI Marketing Director
Member and Industry Visits
- Two Rivers Cooperative
- Pella Feed Service
- Van Maanen Seed and Chemical
- Gowan Ag
- Agrineed
- Roquette America
- Vision Ag, LLC
Visits from: Heath DeYoung, Membership Director
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June 25
AAI Animal Industry Committee Meeting
Iowa State University Kent Feed Mill & Grain Science Complex
June 27
AAI Board of Directors Meeting
10:00 AM | Northey Building Board Room
July 25
AAI Golf Outing - Okoboji
Emerald Hills Golf Club
August 15
AAI Golf Outing - Amana
Amana Colonies Golf Club
August 22
AAI Golf Outing - Ames
Coldwater Golf Links
September 11
AAI Foundation Golf Outing - Moravia
AAI CHAIRMAN'S GOLF TOURNAMENT
The Preserve On Rathbun Lake
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Research to Rows Drone Workshop | |
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and the ISU Digital Ag Innovation Lab are partnering to offer a new workshop as part of their "Research to Rows" series focusing on Drone (UAV) Technology on July 30 at the Southeast Research and Demonstration Farm near Crawfordsville.
Research to Rows is a series of workshops offered jointly with ISU Extension and Outreach and the ISU Digital Ag Innovation Lab. Planter University was the first workshop offered, and now the organizers are adding a drone workshop.
The workshop is intended to be an introductory and foundational course for farmers or agriculture retailers interested in getting started with drone imagery technology.
Topics to be covered include:
- Definitions, terms and overview.
- Drone usage in agriculture.
- Recreational vs. commercial pilot.
- Purchasing and registration.
- Best practices and flight options/apps.
- Data processing and visualization.
- Future drone workshops.
- Presenters for the workshop include Doug Houser, digital agriculture extension specialist, and Ryan Huffman, digital agronomy research manager with the ISU Digital Ag Innovation Lab.
“As adoption rates for drones continue to increase in Iowa, this workshop has been developed to provide education surrounding the legal use and application of this technology,” said Huffman. “Drones add additional data layers, many of which directly translate to improving on-farm decision making.”
Advance registration is required. The cost is $75 and includes lunch, refreshments and handouts. Registration for the workshop closes July 26, and the workshop is limited to 25. Additionally, the first five registrants who farm in Iowa are eligible to have up to an 80-acre corn or soybean field flown over with a drone to collect a field health image.
Registration and check-in opens at 8:30 a.m. with the program running from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
For more information or to register, visit https://go.iastate.edu/9LTDJK.
For more information, contact Houser at dhouser@iastate.edu or Rebecca Vittetoe, extension field agronomist at rka8@iastate.edu or 319-653-4811. The Southeast Research and Demonstration Farm is located at 3115 Louisa-Washington Road, Crawfordsville, Iowa.
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TechHub Live Discount Registration | |
TechHub Live
July 29-31, 2024
Iowa Events Center
Des Moines, Iowa
Register by June 28 to save $300 over on-site pass.
Regular Attendee All-Access Pass: $695
AAI/ARA Retailer Member: $595 (use code AAI24 for discount)
Click Here To Register for TechHub Live
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A diverse coalition of industry partners, including farmers and auto manufacturers, has united to challenge federal environmental regulations.
The National Corn Growers Association, American Farm Bureau Federation, and six auto dealers — representing 16 brands and operating numerous dealerships in major markets nationwide — have teamed up with the American Petroleum Institute. Together, they filed a lawsuit today in the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals. Their challenge targets the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s emissions standards for light-duty and medium-duty vehicles set for model years 2027-2032
The groups said the EPA exceeded its congressional authority with the regulation and rendered a decision that values one tool for fighting climate change over others.
“By approving tailpipe standards that focus exclusively on electric vehicles, EPA has ignored the proven benefits corn ethanol offers in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and combatting climate change,” Minnesota farmer and National Corn Growers Association President Harold Wolle said. “While it could take decades to get enough electric vehicles on the road to significantly lower GHG emissions, ethanol is a critical and effective climate solution that is available now. We have tried to make this case to EPA to no avail, and now we will make our case in court.”
The groups also noted that EPA’s standard will hurt America’s farmers.
[...] Read Full Story
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Federal regulators plan to survey truck drivers on their seat belt habits after recent fatality data revealed a high number of unrestrained drivers involved in fatal accidents.
In a notice published Wednesday, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration said it intends to use “quantitative data collection techniques” in an anonymous, self-administered online survey to understand truckers’ behaviors regarding seat belt use and road safety.
“Existing data on the usage of safety belts and perceptions related to road safety do not capture the diversity of different types of commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers in a post-coronavirus disease 2019 national emergency landscape,” the agency stated.
“Understanding safety belt usage and perceptions of road safety among CMV drivers will assist FMCSA in gauging emerging trends among this cohort and will inform future messaging and communication efforts targeting CMV drivers.”
Those trends have raised concern among federal transportation officials the past several years.
Speaking at a meeting organized by the Intermodal Association of North America in 2021, Jack Van Steenburg, who was then FMCSA’s chief safety officer, cited statistics showing that of nearly 900 occupants of large trucks killed in crashes in 2019, almost half were not wearing seat belts.
“I just cannot believe people are not wearing seat belts behind [the wheel] of trucks,” Van Steenburg said at the time.
[...] Read Full Story
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Source: Iowa Farmer Today
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Severe drought last year “burned up” much of the 800 acres of corn and soybeans Pete Youngblut, his father and brother had planted.
“We had all but one farm that was the worst crop we’ve ever taken off,” the 38-year-old Dysart, Iowa, farmer said.
And heavy rains in recent weeks have flooded recently planted fields and paused planting in others, impacting future crop yields and farming costs.
Youngblut said farmers and ranchers across the country are facing serious challenges, from plummeting profits to high costs to increasingly extreme weather.
He’s among a group of farmers pressuring Congress as part of a national campaign to protect funds in the next farm bill for practices that help farmers become more resilient in the face of floods, droughts, windstorms and wildfires.
The House Agriculture Committee early May 24 approved a Republican-led farm bill that offers a sharp increase in funding for conservation but would eliminate the programs’ focus on farming practices that reduce emissions tied to the warming and erratic climate.
The last farm bill, enacted in 2018, expired last year, but Congress extended it until Sept. 30.
House Republicans’ five-year, $1.5 trillion Farm, Food and National Security Act includes a $14 billion boost to conservation programs but would take that money from unspent funds tied to the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act and remove the climate law’s requirement that the conservation be targeted at greenhouse gas reductions.
[...] Read Full Story
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All Things Bugs LLC, the world’s leading innovator in the insect industry, announced that it has received a US patent for its unique production method as it continues to develop pioneering products and research in the use of insects as sustainable food ingredients.
US patent No. 11,337,451, issued on May 24, 2023, is the first US patent specifically focused on insects as a food source, and it confirms All Things Bugs and its Founder and President Dr. Aaron T Dossey as leaders in their field. The firm also has similar issued patents in Europe, Canada and Mexico.
All Things Bugs is the world’s first insect-based food wholesaler, and, for the last decade, the company has developed products, services and research to promote insects as a viable alternative to traditional protein sources such as meat and dairy. All Things Bugs has focused its efforts in four key areas:
1) Food product development
2) Insect processing and ingredients
3) Cutting-edge insect farming automation
4) Insect genomics and genetic engineering
The patent provides recognition of the company’s spray-drying technology and opens up new opportunities for the use of insects in global food production.
All Things Bugs’ patented breakthrough involves the development of a new wet-grinding and drying technique that ensures edible insects can be ground into a fine powder. It is a process that works equally well with all insects including superworms, crickets, mealworms, grasshoppers, locusts, katydids, caterpillars or flies - emphasizing its versatility, and making it cost-effective to produce.
[...] Read Full Story
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