The National Corn Growers Association is urging Congress to support a bill to require the EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers to withdraw the proposed Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule. They are further requesting that the groups collaborate closely with states and other stakeholders in the process of developing a new rule. In a letter to Congress, NCGA President Chip Bowling noted … Read More
Senate Bill Calls for WOTUS Re-do
A bipartisan group of U.S. Senators introduced a bill Thursday that calls on EPA to develop a new “Waters of the United States” (WOTUS) proposal. The senators, including John Barrasso (R-WY), Joe Donnelly (D-IN), Jim Inhofe (R-OK), Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND), Pat Roberts (R-KS) and Joe Manchin (D-WV), jointly introduced the Federal Water Quality Protection Act, directing EPA and the U.S. … Read More
Farm Bureau Endorses Bill to Sink WOTUS Rule
The American Farm Bureau Federation asked Congress to pass legislation ordering the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to withdraw the controversial “Waters of the United States” proposal. In a letter copied to all members of Congress, AFBF President Bob Stallman wrote that the Regulatory Integrity Protection Act of 2015 represents an opportunity for Congress to … Read More
NRCS Funds for Mississippi River Basin
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is investing $10 million this year in 27 new high-priority watersheds and 13 existing projects that will help improve water quality and strengthen agricultural operations. NRCS worked with state agencies, farmers and other partners to identify high-priority watersheds that align with established state priorities and have strong partnerships in place — and where targeted … Read More
Special Issue of Groundwater Monitoring & Remediation
The National Ground Water Association’s technical journal, Groundwater Monitoring & Remediation®, has published a special issue focusing on the monitoring and remediation of agricultural impacts to groundwater quality. Agricultural land use represents the largest nonpoint source threat to groundwater quality on a global scale. As a result of decades of fertilizer application and surface spreading of animal manure, chronic increases … Read More
EPA Chief Talks WOTUS at NFU
Appearing at the National Farmers Union convention in Wichita Monday, EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy admitted that her agency was “in the hot seat” over the Waters of the United States rule released last year and still under review. “I really wish we had done a better job of rolling out the clean water rule,” she said and “I’m really concerned … Read More
USDA Helping Farmers Prepare for Climate Change
Many in the agricultural community may not be aware that USDA has an office which is charged with helping farmers prepare for climate change. Climate Change Program Office director Bill Hohenstein (pictured left) talked some of their work during the Bayer CropScience Ag Issues Forum last week in Phoenix. “We’re concerned about climate change,” he said during an interview with … Read More
WOTUS Interpretive Rule Pulled
The Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have at least ditched part of the WOTUS rule. The Interpretive Rule Regarding the Applicability of Clean Water Act Section related to the proposed Waters of the United States (WOTUS) was officially withdrawn by EPA and the Corps in a memo last Thursday, January 29. Congress requested asked for … Read More
New Propane Engine Alternative for Irrigation
The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) and Origin Engines have released a new, emissions-certified, 9.1-liter propane irrigation engine as an alternative for producers to Tier 4 diesel models. PERC invested in the development and commercialization of the engine and provided industry expertise to Origin, which has over three decades of experience designing and manufacturing engines for industrial, on-road, and … Read More
PumpProxy Helps Farmers Save Water
As water management becomes an increasingly important issue for farmers in all parts of the country, PumpProxy from Net Irrigate offers a solution that saves money, time, fuel and millions of gallons of water. PumpProxy allows farmers to remotely monitor and shut down irrigation pumps by website or mobile app, and receive text, voice or email notifications upon issues including … Read More