Council of Producers & Distributors of Agrotechnology
The Business Council for Agrotechnology

May 8, 2026

AICP Austin: CPDA's Grower-Focused Mission

AICP Austin brought together a record number of CPDA member companies and leaders from across the crop protection value chain for several days of focused discussion on the issues shaping the business.

Conversations centered on EPA backlog and PRIA 6, ESA implementation, Farm Bill developments, and biopesticides, along with the practical challenges and opportunities companies are navigating in the field today.  The program also reinforced CPDA’s grower-focused mission, with a dedicated grower panel bringing the voice of the farmer directly into the conversation and Brett Sciotto's keynote, “Harnessing the Storm,” framing the broader forces impacting agriculture and how the industry responds.

The conference also marked the launch of CPDA’s Biopesticide Working Group and continued to strengthen the relationships that support both policy engagement and business growth across the industry.

Watch the recap video below, and we look forward to seeing everyone next year in Scottsdale, Arizona, May 3–5,2027.

Farmer Innovation Grower Panel: Moderator, Brett Sciotto, Idealyst; Panelists, Shane Skylar, El Toro Farms, Texas; Matt Moreland, Moreland Farms, Oklahoma; Mitchell Hora, Continuum Ag, Iowa.

Supply Chain: Engagement at the White House

CPDA, alongside ARA and CropLife America, met with White House National Security staff this week to continue discussions on supply chain resiliency for crop protection inputs.



The conversation focused on ensuring a stable and reliable supply of critical inputs for American farmers and reinforcing the connection between regulatory policy, manufacturing capacity, and food security. Coordination across the industry remains important as these discussions continue.

Richard Gupton, ARA; Andrew Walmlsey, CPDA; Alex Dunn, CLA; Terry Kippley, CPDA; Jeff Blackwood, CLA.

CPDA Member Visit to Indorama Ventures – Indovinya

To effectively advocate for our members in Washington, it is crucial to understand their business, regulatory, and legislative priorities. We enjoyed our time learning from CPDA board member Priscila Castelani joined by her team, Fernanda Costa, Angelica Garcia Rosa, Anthony Mai and Emerson Venceslau. We appreciated touring the lab and pilot plant afterwards at the Indorama Ventures Technology Center in The Woodlands, just outside of Houston.

Angelica Garcia Rosa, Indorama/Indovinya; Andrew Walmsley, CPDA; Fernanda Costa, Priscila Castelani, Indorama/Indovinya; Terry Kippley, Cara Strazzo, CPDA; Anthony Mai, Indorama/Indovinya

CPDA presents at ICIS World Surfactants Conference

Greg Lindner, Croda and incoming Chair of CPDA presented, Emerging Opportunities in Agricultural Surfactants, this week. It was also a great opportunity to connect with CPDA members Integrity Biochem and Stepan.

Terry Kippley, CPDA; Jesse Jefferis, Stepan Company

Terry Kippley, CPDA; Michael Suver and James Jett, Integrity BioChem

EPA Fungicide Strategy: Webinar and Next Steps

EPA will host a webinar on its Draft Strategy to Protect Endangered Species from Fungicides on Wednesday, May 20, from 2:00–3:00 PM ET.

CPDA welcomes EPA’s draft Fungicide Strategy and the continued recognition of drift reduction adjuvants as practical, on-the-ground tools for growers. Expanding buffer reduction options to include oil emulsion DRAs for fungicides and insecticides, and guar-based DRAs across herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides, provides additional flexibility for farmers working to meet ESA requirements while maintaining effective crop protection.



These are workable, science-based approaches that help protect the acre while keeping essential tools available. As EPA moves forward, it will be important to ensure all DRA technologies are evaluated based on sound science and real-world performance. CPDA is actively engaging with the Agency to address questions related to polymer-based adjuvants and ensure those tools can be appropriately considered. CPDA will be submitting comments to the draft strategy before the deadline.

Stratovation Consumer Trends Webinar

Stratovation Group, in partnership with Inspire PR, has released new consumer research examining affordability, grocery purchasing, dining trends, and evolving sentiment around MAHA.

They will host a webinar on May 12 at 4:00 PM ET to review findings and discuss implications for the food and agriculture value chain.

Upcoming EPA Stakeholder Sessions

EPA has scheduled its next quarterly PRIA stakeholder sessions for:

• July 23, 10:30–11:45 AM ET
• October 26, 1:00–2:15 PM ET

Both sessions will include a virtual option. CPDA members should watch for forwarded meeting invitations.

In the News: ESA and Drift Reduction Adjuvants

CPDA’s work on ESA implementation and drift reduction adjuvants was highlighted in recent CropLife coverage examining how retailers are adapting to evolving compliance requirements.



The article notes increasing adoption of DRA technologies as a practical tool to help meet ESA mitigation requirements while maintaining effective crop protection programs. CPDA’s engagement with EPA and ongoing technical work to support broader recognition of these tools continues to play a role in advancing workable solutions for the field.

Upcoming Industry Events

Until next time….