Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced this week that the U.S. Department of Agriculture is partnering with 21 states through the Biofuel Infrastructure Partnership (BIP) to nearly double the number of fueling pumps nationwide that supply renewable fuels to American motorists. With the matching commitments by state and private entities, the BIP is investing a total of $210 million to strengthen … Read More
NCGA Member Earns National Recognition
The Champions of Change award recognizes ordinary Americans doing extraordinary things in their communities. The diverse group of farmers, ranchers, researchers and educators were recognized for their exemplary leadership in supporting change in their communities through innovation in agricultural production and education. In recognition of Tim Smith’s commitment to adopting new practices and teaching others, Smith received the White House … Read More
Senate Ag Committee Holds Hearing On Biotechnology
The Senate Agriculture Committee held a hearing this week on agriculture biotechnology (GMO) with that showcased the overwhelming scientific consensus regarding GMO safety, as well as the urgent need for Congressional action to pass a reasonable, common-sense solution that prevents a state-by-state patchwork of labeling laws. “This is the first time in 10 years this Committee has held a hearing … Read More
NCGA: UAS Good for Farmers, Consumer & Environment
The U.S. Department of Transportation announced that recreational users of unmanned aerial systems, or drones, must register their systems with the federal government. A task force will be created to develop recommendations for a registration process for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). “As with any technology, unmanned aerial systems will make our farms safer, more efficient and more environmentally friendly. That’s … Read More
Grain Bin Safety Important To Farmers
NCGA is reminding farmers that having grain bin safety procedures in place, especially this time of year, is critical. With farmers across the Midwest in the middle of harvest, NCGA is offering a video (below) highlighting the proper safety procedures & helpful guidelines to keep our farmers safe while working in or around grain bins on the farm. First released … Read More
Crop Forecast Projects Rise in Corn Prices
The latest WASDE report was released on Friday from the USDA. Although national average corn yield projections were raised by half a bushel/acre, the overall acres in non-production have effected supply outlooks. With steady demand projections, an overall increase in prices for the 2015/16 corn crop seems likely. Usage, which held steady, remains on track to set a record in … Read More
Farmers Need RFS Certainty to Remain Profitable
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is expected to announce final rules for the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) this November after months of delay and push back from the agriculture and biofuels industries. As it currently stands, the volume levels set for 2015 and 2016 are lower than the law mandates. As a result, a new white paper finds that American farmers … Read More
Court Ruling Suspends WOTUS
A new ruling issued today by a federal appeals court places a nationwide stay on the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Water Rule, better known as Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS). The court agreed with petitioners that the treatment in the rule of tributaries, “adjacent waters,” and waters having a “significant nexus” to navigable waters is at odds with a previous … Read More
NCGA Asks for WOTUS Guidance
On September 17th a closed webinar was held between the EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers to address questions regarding the final WOTUS ruling. NCGA and 15 other ag groups are now requesting that the answers to the questions be made available to the public. “It’s unfair to communicate to regulators on how to identify a WOTUS under the … Read More
Corn Growers Call for Uniform Labeling
Representatives of the National Corn Growers Association were on Capitol Hill this week to support a uniform national labeling standard for foods made with genetically modified organisms. The fly-in, organized by the Coalition for Safe Affordable Food, included 125 representatives from the entirety of the nation’s food supply chain, from farmers to food companies. Farmers and state staffers from the … Read More