RFA Ethanol Podcast

Endangered Species Act Discussion at #Classic23

Cindy Zimmerman

The Endangered Species Act is “one of the most difficult pesticide issues” farmers have faced on the federal level and they need to be aware of what could happen on their operations as a result of it. Mary Kay Thatcher, Syngenta Senior Manager, Federal Government and Industry Relations, led a panel discussion on the ESA at Commodity Classic last week …

Audio, Commodity Classic, EPA, pesticides, Syngenta

Cotton Pesticides and the Endangered Species Act

Cindy Zimmerman

The future of pesticides under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) was a topic for a panel at the Beltwide Cotton Conferences Consultants Conference this week in New Orleans. The panel was composed of Leah Duzy and Ashlea Frank, Compliance Services International (CSI); Jack Royal, Royal’s Ag Consulting Company, Leary GA; and Rogers Leonard, Integrated Crop Consulting, St. Josesph, LA. “EPA …

Audio, Beltwide Cotton, Cotton, EPA, pesticides

EPA Announces Sustainable Pest Control Initiative

Cindy Zimmerman

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler was in Mississippi on Monday where he announced a $2 million dollar initiative that encourages smart and sustainable pest control in agriculture. The initiative, which is an extension of EPA’s Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program (PESP), expects to award grantees up to $200,000 to implement sustainable pest management practices that align with the …

AgWired Precision, Audio, Crop Protection, EPA, pesticides

EPA Finalizes Pesticide AEZ Rules

Cindy Zimmerman

EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler visited another farm this week to make an agricultural announcement. At Overman Farms in Goldsboro, N.C., Wheeler announced finalized improvements to requirements for the pesticide application exclusion zone (AEZ), the area surrounding pesticide application equipment during outdoor production pesticide applications. EPA’s targeted changes improve the enforceability and workability of the AEZ requirements, decrease regulatory burdens for …

Audio, EPA, pesticides

A Bayer Phytobac Helps Farms Become More Sustainable

Chuck Zimmerman

I first learned about the Bayer Phytobac system last year while on a tour in Germany. My second look at this unique innovation to make farms for sustainable came in Germany again this year during the Future of Farming Dialog last month. With my group of journalists from North America, David Lembrich, Product Stewardship Manager at Bayer, showed us a …

Agribusiness, Audio, Bayer, Farming, pesticides, Sustainability, Video

FMC’s “Buck” Buckwalter Awarded Highest CAPCA Honor

Joanna Schroeder

Each year, the California Association of Pest Control Advisors (CAPCA) honors a member with its “PCA Advisor of the Year Award and Service to CAPCA.” The highest honor given by the association was awarded to Henry “Buck” Buckwalter, state regulatory government affairs manager for FMC, during the 2016 Conference & Agri-Expo luncheon. The 42nd annual event was held at the …

Audio, FMC, pesticides, Precision Agriculture, Water

FMC’s Kasper Talks Pesticides & Regs at #CAPCA16

Joanna Schroeder

How will the agriculture industry grow an increasing amount of safe, healthy food in an environment of more stringent regulations coupled with less water? This question was answered by John Kasper, commercial business unit director for FMC Corporation, during the opening session of the 42nd annual California Association of Pest Control Advisers. The sold-out event focused on feeding a nation …

Agribusiness, Audio, FMC, Fungicide, Insecticides, pesticides

CAPTAIN CAPCA Saves the Show

Joanna Schroeder

CAPTAIN CAPCA and Dr Foe battled it out this morning in their last meeting to kick off the 42nd annual California Association of Pest Control Advisors (CAPCA). The event took place in no better place for a superhero and villain – Disneyland – in Anaheim, California October 16-18, 2016. This year’s theme is Feeding the Nation – Fighting the Fear …

Agribusiness, FMC, pesticides, Video

Bayer Requests EPA Hearing on Pesticide

Cindy Zimmerman

Bayer is taking its disagreement with the Environmental Protection Agency over registrations for the pesticide flubendiamide, marketed as Belt® in the United States, to the administrative level. This week, the company formally requested a hearing before EPA’s Administrative Law Judge to argue their case. Bayer has already rejected a request by EPA to voluntarily withdraw registration for flubendiamide-containing products, which …

Bayer, Crop Protection, EPA, pesticides

USDA Designates $58.25 Million for Plant Pests, Disease

Kelly Marshall

The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) will be designating $58.25 million from the 2014 farm bill to fund 434 projects that will help protect U.S. crops from plant pests and diseases. “Through the Farm Bill we are working with our partners and stakeholders to not only ensure the global competitiveness of our specialty crop producers but to …

pesticides, Research, USDA