The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has reopened the comment period on an agency assessment regarding the use of neonicotinoid seed treatments in soybeans. The “Benefits of Neonicotinoid Seed Treatment to Soybean Production” assessment was released as part of the EPA’s review of clothianidin, imidacloprid, and thiamethoxam seed treatments, all classified as neonicotinoids. The assessment found neonics to be of … Read More
USDA Test Measures Health-Promoting Compounds
A new test is giving better information on the health-promoting compounds in fruits and vegetables. This U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) news release says scientists at the agency have devised a new analytical method for detecting and measuring concentrations of phytochemicals called “polyphenols” in plant materials, also referred to as “phenolics,” the class of health-promoting compounds found in certain foods … Read More
USDA Extends Comment Period for CSP
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is extending the public comment period on the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) interim rule until January 20, 2015. “This extension will provide stakeholders with additional time to comment on the CSP interim rule,” Chief Jason Weller said. “At nearly 70 million acres, CSP is the nation’s largest conservation program. Input through the public comment … Read More
Feds Approve Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Exemptions
In what could be a real boon for agricultural applications, the federal government has granted five regulatory exemptions for unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) operations to four companies. This Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) news release says the exemptions will benefit those using the aircraft for aerial surveying, among other jobs. “Unmanned aircraft offer a tremendous opportunity to spur innovation and economic … Read More
GMO Food Regulation Hearing Draws Crowd
A hearing on the role of the Food and Drug Administration in the regulation of genetically modified food drew quite a bit of interest on Capitol Hill Wednesday. “I only wish every hearing drew this much interest,” said Rep. Joe Pitts (R-PA), chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health. Among the witnesses at the hearing were animal … Read More
Ag Retailers Public Policy Update
Transportation issues are at the top of the list of public policy concerns for ag retailers meeting in New Orleans this week. “We plan to make it a priority going into the new Congress,” said Agricultural Retailers Association senior VP for public policy Richard Gupton who updated the membership this morning. “Senator Thune is going to be the new chairman … Read More
NRCS Talks Programs at NAFB
Soils, climate change, pollinators, and the 2014 Farm Bill conservation programs were among the topics addressed at the National Association of Farm Broadcasting convention by James Tillman, southeast regional conservationist for USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Tillman says NRCS has been very active in protecting pollinators, and honeybees in particular. “NRCS is working with five states – South Dakota, … Read More
AgVoice4Choice Supports Neonics
Last month, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a report on the “Benefits of Neonicotinoid Seed Treatments to Soybean Production” concluding that “these seed treatments provide little or no overall benefits to soybean production in most situations.” Upon release of the report, a 60-day comment period was opened which concludes on December 22. So far, the comment website reports just … Read More
USDA Announces Grasslands Carbon Credits Sale
In a first, Chevrolet has bought carbon credits from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). This USDA news release says the sale of nearly 40,000 carbon dioxide reduction tons are from working ranch grasslands in the Prairie Pothole region of North Dakota. “This announcement is the first-of-its-kind. The amount of carbon dioxide removed from our atmosphere by Chevrolet’s purchase of … Read More
NAFB Legislative Update
Missouri Farm Bureau President Blake Hurst and Nebraska Farm Bureau president Steve Nelson provided legislative update at the 71st National Association of Farm Broadcasting’s annual convention. The ag leaders reviewed the current direction of the United States agricultural issues and policy on the local, state and national level. The two first addressed their assessment on the recent midterm elections and … Read More