Bayer announced a series of agreements reached on Wednesday that will “substantially resolve major outstanding Monsanto litigation, including U.S. Roundup™ product liability litigation, dicamba drift litigation and PCB water litigation” adding that the agreements “contain no admission of liability or wrongdoing.” The main feature is the U.S. Roundup™ resolution that will bring closure to approximately 75% of the current Roundup™ …
ASTA Announces New Leadership and Award Winners
The American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) held a virtual annual meeting last week where the organization announced new leadership and annual award winners. Members of the FY2020-21 ASTA officer team as of July 1 are: Chair: John Latham, Latham Hi-Tech Seeds, Alexander, IA First Vice Chair: Brad May, BASF, Research Triangle Park, NC Second Vice Chair: Jim Schweigert, Gro Alliance, …
Farm Groups Launch Free Stress Management Course
Farm Credit, American Farm Bureau and National Farmers Union today announced the launch of a farm stress management online training course available for the general public. Developed by Michigan State University Extension (MSU Extension) and University of Illinois Extension (Illinois Extension), the course will help farmers, their families and neighbors identify and cope with stress. It provides participants the skills …
Corn and Sorghum Groups Urge Aid for Ethanol Industry
Members of the Congressional Biofuels Caucus held a virtual town hall Wednesday to discuss the challenges currently facing the ethanol industry and what can be done to help. Caucus members participating in the meeting were including Reps. Collin Peterson (D-MN), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Dave Loebsack (D-IA), and Rodney Davis (R-IL) as well as ethanol and agricultural group leaders. House Agriculture …
COVID Cuts Revenue Prospects for Corn Crop
A new analysis from the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) is projecting a drastic drop in 2020 revenues as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic with impacts persisting into 2021. NCGA President Kevin Ross says the latest analysis projects a $59 per acre average revenue decline for the 2019 corn crop and an $89 per acre average revenue decline for …
President Trump at Iowa Ethanol Plant – One Year Later
It was one year ago today that President Donald Trump made a victorious visit to Southwest Iowa Renewable Energy (SIRE) ethanol plant in Council Bluffs, Iowa, to celebrate regulatory changes that would finally allow year-round retail sales of 15% ethanol (E15). At the event, the President also heard from farmers and ethanol industry leaders about the devastating impact of RFS …
Farm & Biofuel Groups Challenge Retroactive RFS Waivers
Nine leading biofuel and farm organizations sent a letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler Tuesday asking him for answers on what is seen as a new effort to undermine the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). During a Senate hearing last month, administration officials confirmed their consideration of retroactive small refinery exemptions (SREs) covering previous years. The “gap-filings” are …
EPA Issues Order on Dicamba Registrations
Late last night, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued an order on the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals’ decision on dicamba registrations regarding the sale, distribution, and use of existing stocks of the three affected dicamba products – XtendiMax with vapor grip technology, Engenia, and FeXapan. According to EPA, distribution or sale of the products is “generally prohibited except for …
NAMA Adds Virtual Option to Agri-Marketing Conference
The National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA) is now offering the 2020 Agri-Marketing Conference as both a live and virtual conference, August 11-13, 2020. The virtual conference will be offered for $495 and $635 for members and non-members, respectively. The non-member rate includes one free year of NAMA membership. Features of the virtual conference include a virtual trade show, virtual happy hours, …
Farmfest and Dakotafest Canceled for 2020
Both the Minnesota Farmfest and Dakotafest have been canceled this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. IDEAg Group LLC., which is owned by American Farm Bureau Federation, made the decision to cancel with great disappointment according to AFBF President Zippy Duvall. “We understand the impact this has on the ag community, but simply put, it is the right decision to …