The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has denied a 2008 petition by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) seeking to cancel 2,4-D herbicide registrations and revoke all the tolerances for use. “The impact of this decision should not be understated,” said Jim Gray, executive director of the Industry Task Force II on 2,4-D Research Data. “EPA’s comprehensive review of one of …
Top Environmental Stewardship Award Goes to PA Farm
The Masonic Village Farm of Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania was named the top winner of the 21st annual National Cattlemen’s Foundation Environmental Stewardship Awards at the 2012 Cattle Industry Convention and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Trade Show in Nashville this week. The Masonic Village Farm, which has been in operation for more than 100 years, raises 180 cow/calf pairs, maintains a …
Ag Aviators Facing Unnecessary Regulations
Like all of agriculture, aerial applicators are facing potentially onerous regulations that could ground them if they are allowed to continue. The biggest issue they are dealing with right now is the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program, which National Agricultural Aviation Association executive director Andrew Moore told me just went into effect on Halloween. “It’s kind of …
New Research On Benefits Of Atrazine
During the recent NAFB convention, AgriTalk recorded a panel discussion about new research on Atrazine. This herbicide, which has been on the market for more than 50 years is very beneficial from an economic and environmental standpoint in the production of corn, sorghum and sugar cane according to this new research. I interviewed one of those researchers, Dr. Mike Owen, …
Isn’t Climate Change Inevitable?
“Change is inevitable. Change is constant.” – Benjamin Disraeli Let me say first off, I am not a climate change denier. There’s plenty of proof to satisfy me that the climate of the Earth can and does change over time. It has done so multiple times over the last four billion or so years of its existence – billions of …
President’s Agricutlure Comments Draw Reaction
As the president’s Magical Midwestern Tour rolled on, some of his comments about agriculture were getting negative reviews. Suggestions by President Obama in Atkinson, Illinois Wednesday that farmers who are concerned about more government regulations should just “contact USDA” about it got particular attention. The best of all came from Politico reporter MJ Lee, who decided to take the advice …
Record Setting Conservation in Action Tour
The 2011 CTIC Conservation In Action Tour on August 9 in northwest Ohio was one for the record books. “We’re thrilled that we had to add an extra bus,” said one of the organizers of this year’s event, Steve Davis with the Ohio USDA NRCS. “We wanted to show people the agriculture in northwest Ohio, the good work that many …
International Joint Commission Chair Attends CTIC Tour
One of the participants on the 2011 CTIC Conservation In Action Tour in northwest Ohio last week was the chairman of the International Joint Commission (IJC), Lana Pollack. The IJC was established by the 1909 Boundary Waters Treaty to monitor the rivers and lakes along the border of Canada and the United States and aid the governments of the two …
See the Difference Between Tilled and No-Till Soil
One of the stops on the 2011 CTIC Conservation In Action Tour in Ohio last week was the farm of Todd Hesterman in Napoleon, Ohio. Todd has employed continuous no-till on his 450 acre corn, soybean and wheat operation for 22 years and used yield mapping for more than 14 years and is a strong advocate for doing what he …
Jeff Smeenk Talks Environmental Ranching
Did you know that grasslands evolve by being grazed? And that taking grazing out of the equation damages the environment? I didn’t until I sat down with Jeff Smeenk, one of six Environmental Stewardship Award Program winners announced during the Cattle Summer Industry Conference. Smeenk explained that on his ranch, cattle serve the niche of grazing the land and helping …