(NCGA) Farmers interested in using dicamba as part of their crop strategy in the 2018 growing season need to be aware only certified applicators, or those under direct supervision, will be allowed to apply the product. The label change reflects an agreement between the Environmental Protection Agency, Monsanto, BASF and DuPont on measures to further minimize the potential for drift to damage neighboring crops from the use of dicamba formulations to control weeds in genetically modified cotton and soybeans. EPA worked cooperatively with states, land-grant universities and the pesticide manufacturers to examine the underlying causes of recent crop damage in the farm belt and Southeast. Manufacturers have voluntarily agreed to label changes that impose additional requirements for “over the top” use of these products next year including: Classifying products as “restricted use,” permitting only certified applicators with special training and those under their supervision, to apply them. Dicamba-specific training for all certified applicators to reinforce proper use; requiring farmers to maintain specific records regarding the use of these products to improve compliance with label restrictions; limiting applications to when maximum wind speeds are below 10 miles per hour (from 15 miles per hour) to reduce potential spray drift. Reducing the times during the day when applications can occur, including tank clean-out language to prevent cross-contamination, and enhancing susceptible crop language and record keeping with sensitive crop registries to increase awareness of risk to especially sensitive crops nearby.
For more information go to: https://www.epa.gov/ingredients-used-pesticide-products/registration-dicamba-use-genetically-engineered-crops.
The Senate Finance Committee Tuesday advanced the nomination of Greg Doud as chief agriculture negotiator to the full Senate. The move puts Doud closer to the North American Free Trade Agreement negotiations, with one vote remaining until he can take his post at the U.S. Trade Representative’s office. Chairman Orrin Hatch of Utah says of the Trump Administration that it is “essential that his administration is well-staffed and ready to get to work,” on trade in urging the Senate to act quickly to confirm Doud. Last week, Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts said Doud needs to be at the negotiating table to represent U.S. agriculture as part of the NAFTA talks. Roberts and the White House agreed that agriculture exports are key to addressing the U.S. trade deficit as part of the NAFTA talks.
Syngenta ranked in the top 20 among the world’s leading biotech employers, in an annual survey conducted by Science magazine. The company placed 12 out of 20 employers listed in the survey, which garnered more than 7,000 responses worldwide.
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(NAFB) Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts says agricultural exports are key to achieving President Donald Trump’s plan for reducing the trade deficit with NAFTA members. The White House says more ag exports into Canada and Mexico through the North American Free Trade Agreement will help reduce the trade deficit, and Senator Roberts agrees. Roberts spoke with U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer last week, saying he indicated “the best way for our trading partners to buy down the deficit is to buy U.S. agricultural products,” according to Politico. Roberts says that Lighthizer “made that very clear” that the administration seeks to increase ag exports. Roberts says the administration needs to have its chief agricultural negotiator at the table. Gregg Doud’s nomination is awaiting Senate confirmation.
The Missouri Department of Agriculture announced that twelve projects across Missouri received grants funded by the USDA’s Specialty Crop Block Grant program. Missouri received more than $374,000 to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops, which are defined as fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops, including floriculture. “Missouri agriculture is extremely diverse and supporting our specialty crops is essential to continuing that tradition,” Director of Agriculture Chris Chinn said. “This year’s grant recipients will use their funding to reach more consumers through outreach and advocacy and empower more farmers to expand or diversify their operations.” Selected through a competitive process, these projects focus on increasing sales of Missouri Grown specialty crops by investing in research for various specialty crops, evaluating new specialty crop rotation practices, providing improved nutritional education and marketing materials for consumers, and introducing on-farm consultations and workshops to small and midsized farmers about new and current agriculture technology.
Golden Harvest is launching their 2017 #AcetheAcre photo #contest. Farmers are encouraged to share harvest photos on Twitter and Instagram, or to the Golden Harvest Facebook page using the hashtags #AcetheAcre and #contest through Nov. 26. Participants will have the opportunity to win weekly prizes and the grand prize, a $500 donation to a cause of their choice and a Polaris Sportsman 570 ATV. “At Golden Harvest, we want to celebrate the countless hours farmers put in leading up to harvest,” said Colin Steen, head, Golden Harvest West. “So many factors go into a successful season, including genetics, seed selection, proper placement, strong agronomics and season-long management. This photo contest allows farmers to showcase the results they are getting out of every acre after a season of hard work.”