Agricultural organizations are celebrating the official repeal of a rule that they have been fighting since 2015 – Waters of the United States, better known as WOTUS. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler and Department of the Army Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works R.D. James announced that the agencies are repealing the rule and “recodifying the … Read More
EPA Extends Dicamba Registration with Label Changes
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced that it is extending the registration of dicamba for two years for “over-the-top” use (application to growing plants) to control weeds in fields for cotton and soybean plants genetically engineered to resist dicamba. “EPA understands that dicamba is a valuable pest control tool for America’s farmers,” said EPA Acting Administrator Andrew Wheeler. … Read More
Scott Pruitt Resigns From EPA
Well, here’s news that probably won’t upset too many people I know. I’m actually amazed that this didn’t happen much sooner. Of course this had to happen during a pretty much vacation week for the ZimmComm Team and many, many other folks. Here’s some industry reaction on the announcement. I think you can sum it up that everyone is pretty … Read More
Ag and Ethanol Groups Among EPA Partners
The Environmental Protection Agency this week rolled out Smart Sectors, a partnership program with regulated sectors of the economy – including agriculture and renewable fuels – which is “focused on achieving better environmental outcomes.” Trade associations from 13 industry sectors were selected for their environmental and economic impacts. “The Smart Sectors program is designed to effectively engage business partners throughout … Read More
NCGA Highlights Need for E15 Change
There is an EPA regulatory barrier against selling 15 percent ethanol blends between June 1 to September 15 and the National Corn Growers Association says it’s time for the rule to go. The organization is urging Congress to pass the Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act (S. 517, H.R. 1311) to give consumers free choice at the pump year round. “This … Read More
Ag Groups Host Field Day for Government Officials
The American Seed Trade Association (ASTA), the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM), and the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) hosted a field day for officials at the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Pesticide Programs. Participants got to observe seed treatments, planting practices, equipment innovations and product demonstrations– all using the most cutting-edge technology available. … Read More
EPA Dimisses Petition Against Chlorpyrifos
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently dismissed a petition regarding the crop protection tool chlorpyrifos, a decision the National Corn Growers Association and American Farm Bureau Federation have praised. The Obama administration had considered a ban on chlorpyrifos in 2015, but the decision had not been finalized. “We are pleased with the EPA’s decision today to deny a petition against chlorpyrifos … Read More
Trump Signs Executive Order Ditching WOTUS
The president of the American Farm Bureau Federation had the privilege of being with the President of the United States Tuesday as he signed an executive order directing the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to formally reconsider the controversial Waters of the United States, or WOTUS, rule under the Clean Water Act. “President Trump’s executive order to ditch the Waters of … Read More
DuPont Receives Registration for FeXapan Herbicide
The EPA has granted approval for DuPont‘s FeXapan herbicide plus Vapor Grip Technology on Roundup Ready 2 Xtend soybeans and cotton. The herbicide offers weed control that can be used in-crop over soybean and cotton varieties tolerant to dicamba and glyphosate. The product will be available this year to control kochia, marestail and amaranth species. “There is a critical need … Read More
Growers Urged to Comment on Pyrethroids
Farmers at the National Farm Machinery Show are being encouraged to submit comments to the Environmental Protection Agency to protect widely used class of insecticide being targeted under a routine regulatory review. Pyrethroids are used to control insects in 120 different crops, as well as turf, lawns and gardens. But an EPA assessment released at the end of last year … Read More