    In The NewsOSHA Penalties IncreaseThe penalties levied against employers for safety violations by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) have gone up, effective Jan. 24. The increases only apply to citations issued after that date and for the remainder of 2019. Read more... OSHA Poster scams are still going onOSHA still receives complaints from employers who have received “official looking” announcements, threatening notices, messages, or telephone calls from various companies requiring that employers purchase OSHA and other labor law documents from them in order to remain in compliance with Department of Labor rules and regulations. The most popular document being offered for sale is the OSHA Workplace Poster. It’s important that you do not become a victim of fraudulent solicitation practices or incur unnecessary costs where these resources are concerned. OSHA’s publications, posters, fact sheets, etc. are available free to anyone who asks. They can be ordered through the agency’s publications office or, in most cases, downloaded directly from the publications page on the OSHA website. SDABA Board of Directors Welcomes New Members and Officers The SDABA Board of Directors elected Brad Nemmers (Bayer) as President and Tara Pirak (Valley Ag Supply) as Vice President for 2019. One new Dealer director was elected, Troy Kirsch (Turnis Farm Supply) for District 5; and two Industry directors were re-elected: Brad Nemmers (Bayer) and Matt Ellens (Ag Systems) for their second terms. A complete list of the 13 members of the SDABA Board can be found here. Dicamba Training UpdateCheck out the Dicamba page for a list of training sessions just added.
Regulatory AlertsBe on the Lookout for Combustible Dust HazardsIf you have a dust collection system for combustible dust you must have a Dust Hazard Assessment (DHA) completed by September of 2020 as required by NFPA 652-2019. NFPA 652 also requires that the DHA be reviewed and updated every 5 years. EPA Announces Changes to Dicamba Registration On October 31, 2018, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it is extending the registration of dicamba for two years for “over-the-top” use (application to growing plants) to control weeds in fields for cotton and soybean plants genetically engineered to resist dicamba. This action was informed by input from and extensive collaboration between EPA, state regulators, farmers, academic researchers, pesticide manufacturers, and other stakeholders. Read more... South Dakota Launches New Sensitive Crop Registry The South Dakota Department of Agriculture (SDDA) announced a new partnership with FieldWatch, Inc. to introduce a new sensitive crop registry that will enhance communication between applicators and producers in South Dakota. FieldWatch is a not-for-profit company with existing registries in multiple states across the country. The new partnership will facilitate increased awareness and communication as part of ongoing stewardship activities. Read More...
Items of InterestMarch 11, 2019Pesticide-Production Report UpdateThe Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) Section 7 requires that production of pesticides, active ingredients or devices be conducted in a registered pesticide-producing or device-producing establishment. Read more... August 15, 2018Nutrient Research and Education Council Launches WebsiteThe South Dakota Nutrient Research and Education Council (NREC) invites visitors to explore their newly launched website, www.sdnrec.org, designed to share information about important nutrient research projects. NREC was created by state statute in 2016 and is funded by a 50-cent per ton assessment on bulk fertilizer sold in South Dakota. The funding is used by NREC for nutrient research and education to ensure the discovery and adoption of practices that address environmental concerns, optimize nutrient use efficiency, and ensure soil fertility. The 13-member council annually solicits, reviews and funds projects that fulfill the organization’s mission. The next Request for Proposals (RFP) will be opened soon and details will be provided on the NREC website at www.sdnrec.org. Anyone interested in submitting research projects or exploring current research results is encouraged to visit the website for more information. |
