Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts is on an agricultural trade mission trip to the European Union with stops in Italy, Belgium, and Denmark. The trade mission, being coordinated jointly by the Nebraska Departments of Agriculture and Economic Development, includes a number of representatives from the state’s agriculture industry. One of the delegation’s first stops was at Expo Milano where they visited … Read More
Farm Bureau Analysis of WOTUS
The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) today released its analysis of the EPA’s Waters of the United States (WOTUS) final rule and concluded that it is worse than the proposed rule, according to AFBF president Bob Stallman. “Our analysis shows yet again how unwise, extreme and unlawful this rule is,” American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman said. “Our public … Read More
WOTUS in Senate Committees
EPA’s Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule was a topic of discussion in two senate committees on Wednesday. The Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee passed a bill similar to one passed by the full House last month, even before the final rule was announced, that would require EPA and the US army corps of engineers to withdraw the … Read More
NCGA Talks Sustainability at the White House
NCGA and more than a dozen other organizations met at the White House to discuss the role of the federal government in advancing sustainability in agriculture. Dr. Nick Goeser, a member of the Roundtable panel, highlighted NCGA’s participation in Field to Market, as well as the Soil Health Partnership programs. “Everyone across the ag supply chain has a role to … Read More
Iowa Legislature Invests to Protect Soil, Water Quality
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey shared the Iowa Legislature’s continued commitment to farmers in protecting Iowa’s soil and water resources. The Legislature has approved $9.6 million to support the Iowa Water Quality Initiative. This initiative is a science and technology based approach to achieving a 45 percent reduction in nitrogen and phosphorus losses to water. The legislation is … Read More
Canada Shows COOL Reform Needed Now
Chip Bowling, Maryland farmer and president of National Corn Growers Association has released a statement in response to the announcement that Canada plans to seek retaliation against the US for COOL violations. “Ag trade is a vital part of the U.S. economy. Retaliation by Canada will have a significant impact on American farmers and ranchers, threatening rural economies as well … Read More
USDA Releases Apps to Maximize Productivity
The USDA is expecting the release of a suite of mobile phone apps that can connect producers around the world. The apps will allow growers to share knowledge about productivity and sustainability. The first two apps, “LandInfo” and “LandCover,” were released recently and will allow smart phone users to collect and share soil and land-cover information and access global climate data. Jeff Herrick, … Read More
Paul Ryan Visits CNH Plant
U.S. Congressman Paul Ryan toured CNH Industrial‘s plant in Racine, WI last week. He met with management, toured the plant, and attended a town hall forum. Congressman Ryan chairs the Ways and Means Committee in the US House. He met with chief officers and members of CNH Industrial’s North American management team to discuss manufacturing and trade issues. “Our employees around the … Read More
Congress Action Pending on Final WOTUS Rule
EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers may have released its final Waters of the U.S. rule this week, but Congress is still intends to try and have the final word on the regulation. Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts (R-KS) calls the final rule “bad for rural America” and brought up charges that EPA influenced the comment process through … Read More
Monsanto Herbicides for Soybean, Cotton Approved
Governmental approval of some Monsanto herbicides will give cotton and soybean growers some important new tools for weed management. This news release from the company says the new, first-of-its-kind option in 2016 comes in the form of Warrant Ultra Herbicide, a premix of acetochlor and fomesafen approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) last month. Warrant® Herbicide – with … Read More