A publication of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture
This Week:
Sec. Vilsack Visits Food Export-Northeast
USDA Seeks Nominations for Cotton Advisory Committee
EPA Accepting Nominations for PPDC
NASDA Office Closed Due to Hurricane Sandy
MI: New State Initiative Offers Private Forest Landowners Assistance
MO: Applications Available Now for Value-Added Agriculture Grants
For More Information
Please contact a member of the NASDA Farm Policy Staff:
Bob Ehart
Amy Hendrickson
Nathan Bowen
Amanda Bryant
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October 30, 2012
News from Washington:
Secretary Vilsack Visits Food Export-Northeast and Talks to Small Companies About the Benefits of Exporting
Secretary Vilsack recently visited the offices of Food Export USA-Northeast for a roundtable discussion with 10 companies that use Food Export programs and services, including the Market Access Program (MAP), to export their products. The companies stressed to Secretary Vilsack the importance of reauthorization of MAP within the currently expired Farm Bill. WIthout MAP, companies like those in attendance would not be able to compete in international markets against larger companies and also noted they see the largest potential for increasing income and demand for their product in exporting. For more information, click here. (Contact: Amy Hendrickson)
USDA Seeks Nominations for Vacancies on Advisory Committee on Universal Cotton Standards
USDA, AMS, Cotton & Tobacco Programs is seeking nominations for twenty-four vacancies on the Advisory Committee on Universal Cotton Standards. The committee's purposes are to review the American Upland Cotton Standards and to make recommendations to USDA concerning the establishment, revision or change of the standards. Nominations must be received by November 2, 2012. For more information and an application form click here. (Contact: Amy Hendrickson)
EPA Accepting Nominations for Pesticide Program Dialogue Committee
EPA is accepting nominations for the Pesticide Program Dialogue Committee (PPDC). The PPDC provides advice and recommendations to the EPA Administrator on issues associated with regulatory policy, program implementation, and science issues associated with pesticides. Nominations must be emailed or postmarked no later than November 9, 2012. (Contact: Nathan Bowen)
NASDA Office Closed Due to Hurricane Sandy
The NASDA office was closed yesterday and today due to Hurricane Sandy. We will reopen tomorrow, October 31. Please pardon any delay in email communication as our server was turned off during the storm. Our thoughts and prayers are with those who have been impacted by this storm.
News from the States:
Illinois: Mark Your Calendars for Two Ag Exporting Seminars
The Illinois Department of Agriculture's Bureau of Marketing and Promotions and Food Export Association of the Midwest USA have invited a diverse group of speakers to offer insight and new information on ways to strengthen and expand your business. There will be two sessions on Thursday, November 1 for you to talk with experts, ask questions, and get answers.
AM Session: Marketing & Growing Your Business
November 1, 2012
8:30 to Noon
Agenda
PM Session: Why to Export
November 1, 2012
12:45 to 4:30 PM
Agenda
For more information, click here. For questions contact Jennifer Tirey by email, Jennifer.Tirey@illinois.gov, or phone, (217) 782-8146.
Iowa: Corn Nitrogen Rate Calculator Helps Farmers Determine Amount of Fertilizer Needed While Protecting the Environment
The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach recently highlighted the Corn Nitrogen Rate Calculator that is available to help farmers find the maximum return to nitrogen fertilizer applications and the most profitable application rate for their farm.
The Corn Nitrogen Rate Calculator can be found here. This online tool is rapidly updated to allow for changing hybrid genetics, rotations and climatic conditions. The Iowa database in the calculator was updated in 2012 with 2011 response data and now contains 214 trials for corn following soybean and 111 trials for corn following corn.
"Having adequate nitrogen available is critical for corn production, but given the high prices for fertilizer it is important farmers determine the right amount that is needed on their crops," Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey said. "Every farmer wants to make sure their plants have the fertilizer they need while not over applying, so this calculator is a great tool." For more information, click here.
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