Sen. John Thune (R-SD) was named one of the Legislators of the Year this week by the Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) and he spent some time with organization leaders on Tuesday talking about industry priorities. One priority for all of agriculture is the EPA’s Waters of the United States or WOTUS, which was the subject of a disapproval resolution passed … Read More
Hydroponics Aims To Answer Water Mgmt Challenges
As climates continue to shift and change and regions around the world experience freshwater shortages, Hinoman, Ltd., sought a complete water-management solution for its vegetable protein cultivation system. Hinoman’s proprietary, eco-friendly cultivation process for plant protein enables water savings of up to 90% in comparison with most prominent vegetable protein alternatives, such as soy. “We designed a precise hydroponics cultivation … Read More
AFBF Urges Representatives To Disapprove WOTUS
The Waters of the U.S. rule is still very much a main topic in 2016. The American Farm Bureau Federation is urging members of the U.S. House of Representatives to support S.J. Res. 22, a resolution to disapprove the Waters of the U.S. rule finalized by the Environmental Protection Agency and Army Corps of Engineers. “The EPA rule poses a … Read More
USDA Expands Conservation Efforts In Iowa
Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack announced this week a series of new efforts to help Iowa’s farmers and livestock producers conserve water and soil resources and improve nutrient management practices on the state’s 30 million acres of farmland. Vilsack said the U.S. Department of Agriculture will expand access to USDA’s signature conservation programs for Iowa producers, making available up to … Read More
#ASTACSS Taking Cover Crops Mainstream
A diverse panel covered the topic of cover crops at the ASTA CSS 2015 and Seed Expo Tuesday, exploring how the practice is starting to hit the mainstream. David Pearl with the CISCO Companies in Indianapolis, who serves as chair of the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) Cover Crops Working Group, says this was the first full cover crops session … Read More
Ag Group Letter Targets Senators Supporting WOTUS
The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) and other farm groups sent a letter this week to members of the Senate who recently voted to oppose bipartisan legislation seeking to revise the EPA’s Waters of the US (WOTUS) rule urging them to support any new effort in the Senate “to direct the agencies not to implement this rule and initiate a … Read More
Net Irrigate Offers New Pivot Monitoring Solutions
The ag tech manufacturer, Net Irrigate, will be adding a suite of WireRat Pivot Monitoring Solutions to its product offerings. The new line up will absorb the existing PivotProxy brand and will give producers additional tailored pivot monitoring and control with the industry’s only copper theft detection. Catering to the ”no-frills” segment, WireRat Pivot Monitoring Solutions’ modularized parts will give … Read More
USDA Expands Water Conservation in Ogallala Aquifer
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has made an announcement that the USDA will be putting $8 million in the Ogallala Aquifer Initiative (OAI) in 2016. The purpose of the investment is to help farmers and ranchers conserve water annually while strengthening agricultural operations at the same time. The Ogallala Aquifer expands through eight states, including most all of Nebraska and a large part … Read More
GYPSOIL to Sponsor Nutrient Management Conference
A Nutrient Management and Edge of Field Monitoring Conference will be held in conduction with Healthy Soils for Healthy Waters, thanks to the sponsorship of Beneficial ReuseManagement, makers of GYPSOIL brand gypsum. Clear your schedules for December 1-3 and head to Memphis, Tennesse for an opportuinty to discuss edge of field monitoring research, nutrient reduction strategies and activities, and conservation programs … Read More
Senate Passes #WOTUS Resolution
By a vote of 53-44 on Wednesday, the U.S. Senate passed a joint “resolution of disapproval” of the EPA Clean Water rule known as ‘Waters of the United States’ (WOTUS). Resolution sponsor Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) says the action would “put an end to” the expanded EPA rule. “Our resolution stops the EPA from continuing to act as an unchecked … Read More