By Sarah Fielder
Monsanto Sues Arkansas Over Dicamba Restrictions This week Monsanto sued the state of Arkansas to block potential summer restrictions to the use of new versions of dicamba recently developed by the Arkansas State Plant Board. Monsanto claims the decision has impacted their business in Arkansas. To learn more about the suit, click here http://reut.rs/2lbM35Y.
New Publication Focused on Risk Management Tools Available Mason Grahame and Paul Goeringer have recently finalized a publication covering risk management tools including bankruptcy that might help producers during times of financial distress. The publication although not covering a topic you may think about every day will be valuable for those dealing with tough financial situations. To view the publication, click here https://go.umd.edu/AgBankruptcy.
Save the Date for the Ag Outlook and Policy Conference The Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics annual Ag Outlook and Policy will be held on Dec. 12 at the Crowne Plaza in Annapolis. The conference will feature Kevin McNew, President, GeoGrain and Adjunct Professor in AREC, giving a 2018 commodity market outlook and Howard Leathers and Dale Johnson discussing the current dairy economy. Registration will be available on Nov. 1.
Wall Street Journal Article Highlights Increasing Size of Farms The Wall Street Journal this week highlights the increasing size of family farms. Seventy- five percent of U.S. farmland is controlled by 12 percent of U.S. farms. The article highlights some of the concerns with increasing sizes of farms can cause, especially as it relates to smaller producers potentially being squeezed out of business by them. To learn more, see http://on.wsj.com/2z4DGiG (subscription required).
Wisconsin Settles with Dairy Group on Regulation Changes The state of Wisconsin recently settled with Dairy Business Association over recent changes to regulations involving managing rainwater on feed areas and calf hutches. In the settlement, the state agency admitted to overreaching its authority and will follow the proper process in setting the new regulations and agreed to rescind the regulation. To read more about this, click here http://bit.ly/2gI7NVv.
Data Shows Misuse of Old Dicamba Caused Some Damage Experienced This week, BASF released data showing that damage may have been caused by misuse of older higher voilatial dicambas, not approved for in season use. To read more about the data and its implications, click here http://bit.ly/2gI7NVv.
State Allocates $3.5 Million for m=Manure Technology Grants For a fourth year, the Maryland Department of Agriculture is looking to businesses and individuals for innovative ways to manage livestock and poultry waste. The agency has $3.5 million of seed money to pilot new technologies, equipment or services that can better manage manure produced on farms and turn it into income for the operation. To read the full story go here http://bit.ly/2zLzpxR.
Agritourism: Mini Training Series The series will be held on October 25, November 1 and November 8, in Boonsboro, Maryland. Check out this series of short trainings that will provide inspiration and preparation for incorporating agritourism on your farm and address common challenges. Farms, food businesses, wineries/cideries and any other stakeholders from the quad-state region are all welcome! Register here.
Only 2 Weeks Left to Register for the Agriculture and Environmental Law Conference Don’t delay, register today! Earn 5 Nutrient Management Continuing Education Credits and learn what developing agricultural legal topics you need to watch in 2018.