    In The NewsSDABA Issues November 6, 2018 Voters Guide Be prepared! It is estimated that it will take approximately 30 minutes for each person to vote unless they prepared in advance. Check out the SDABA November 6, 2018 Voters Guide, highlighting the constitutional amendments and initiated measures. Please print and share with your employees. SDABA Board of Directors joins the VOTE NO ON W Coalition A growing coalition opposing Constitutional Amendment W is warning that its passage would grow government and saddle citizens with a powerful, unrestrained ethics tribunal. “Amendment W adds an entirely new Article to the South Dakota Constitution that claims to be superior to all other Articles of the existing Constitution. It creates an unelected ethics tribunal that has the power to pass rules that cannot be altered by any other branch of government and that may not be referred to a vote of the people as are laws passed by the legislature,” said David Owen, chairman of the W is Wrong coalition, www.wiswrong.com. Tomorrow's Ag Leaders Application Deadline is November 1! The Tomorrow’s Ag Leaders (TAL) program is a leadership development program sponsored by the South Dakota Agri-Business Association (SDABA) and designed to improve leadership skills of South Dakota men and women working in agri-business. You can find more information about this program by clicking on the Tomorrow's Ag Leaders link above. USDA Releases South Dakota 2018 Farm Real Estate Value and Cash Rent SIOUX FALLS, SD. August 2, 2018 - South Dakota's farm real estate value, a measurement of the value of all land and buildings on farms, decreased from 2017, according to USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Farm real estate value for 2018 averaged $2,170 per acre, down $10 per acre (slightly) from last year. Click here for the full report. South Dakota Department of Agriculture Fertilizer Tonnage Fee Increase Notice"The South Dakota Department of Agriculture is notifying all commercial fertilizer distribution license holders who sell or distribute commercial fertilizer and manipulated manure in South Dakota of a fee increase. Due to the passage of House Bill 1264 during the 2018 legislative session, fees on fertilizer will increase on July 1, 2018 to $.90 per ton for commercial fertilizer, and $.80 per ton for manipulated manure products..." Click here to read more. Regulatory AlertsSouth 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... Dicamba Relabeling If you have Engenia, Xtendimax or FeXapan product remaining in inventory from the 2017 season, you will be asked by the manufacturers of the product to relabel the containers with the new Restricted Use Pesticide labels. Please be sure that your facility is a registered USEPA Pesticide Producing Establishment if you plan to relabel any of your inventory. Read more... Worker Protection Standard - How to Comply: The Worker Protection Standard (WPS) is a federal EPA regulation that primarily protects workers (people employed to perform work activities related to the production of agricultural plants) and pesticide handlers (people employed to mix, load or apply pesticides). On November 2, 2015, EPA revised the WPS, making significant changes to the rule’s requirements. Click here to continue reading.Stay current on the latest issues affecting your business - Click here.Items of InterestAugust 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. March 14, 2018Suspicious Activity and Facility Security; fact sheets and information from TFIThe safe and secure handling of commercial fertilizers is paramount. In coordination with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), TFI has compiled key documents and information that may be of interest to the fertilizer industry and agribusinesses. Suspicious activity should always be reported to the FBI to prevent the illicit use of materials. Suspicious activity can be reported by calling 1-855-TELL-FBI (or 1-855-835-5324). Read more... |
