Danny Hakim reported yesterday at the New York Times Online that, “Farmers planted a new kind of seed on 25 million acres of soybean and cotton fields this year. Developed by Monsanto, the seeds, genetically modified to be resistant to a weed killer called dicamba, are one of the biggest product releases in the company’s history.

“But the seeds and the weed killer have turned some farmers — often customers of Monsanto, which sells both — against the company and alarmed regulators.

“Farmers who have not bought the expensive new seeds, which started to appear last year, are joining lawsuits, claiming that their crops have been damaged by dicamba that drifted onto their farms. Arkansas announced a 120-day ban of the weed killer this summer, and it is considering barring its use next year after mid-April. Missouri briefly barred its sale in July. And the Environmental Protection Agency, not known for its aggressiveness under President Trump, is weighing its own action.”

The Times article noted that, “Monsanto formally challenged Arkansas’ ban earlier this month, insisting that 99 percent of its customers were satisfied. It plans to double the use of its new dicamba-resistant soybeans seeds to 40 million acres by next year.”

Mr. Hakim explained that, “Because genetically modified crops allow dicamba to be sprayed later in the year, after crops emerge from the ground, and in hotter and more humid weather, the chemical is susceptible to what is known as ‘volatility’ — it can turn into a gas and drift onto whatever happens to be nearby.

“While Monsanto and BASF modified the new versions of the herbicide they are selling, they have not entirely solved the problem. So much dicamba is being used that even a small percentage of drift can cause widespread damage.”

The New York Times article added that, “Monsanto has put the onus on farmers. In a letter to Arkansas’ governor last week, a top company executive said problems were “all readily correctable through additional training, education and enforcement.” The company has already trained about 50,000 people to apply the weed killer properly.

“The instructions are quite complex, discouraging spraying both when it is too windy or when it is not windy enough. Some farmers are chafing at the company’s approach.”

A news release yesterday from Purdue University indicated that, “One of the toughest challenges facing Hoosier farmers has nothing to do with unpredictable weather, price fluctuations and damaging infestations. It has to do with the question inevitably facing every owner of a family farm: ‘Who should I designate to inherit the farm?‘

“That’s the question that will be addressed during events hosted by the Purdue Initiative for Family Firms — the ‘Map of My Kingdom’ play and Legacy Letter Workshop. Those invested in farms and family businesses are invited to attend the play/workshop, which will be held 4 p.m.-9 p.m. on Nov. 16, at Purdue’s Krannert Auditorium, 403 W. State St., West Lafayette.

“Farmers and business owners participating in the workshop will learn strategies for developing a legacy plan that’s based on the pros and cons of their options. The play, ‘Map of My Kingdom,’ offers a depiction of the rich legacy of land transition. It is commissioned by the Practical Farmers of Iowa and written by Iowa’s Poet Laureate Mary Swander.”

The news update noted that, “For more information or to register, visit http://bit.ly/2fogFf4. The cost of the workshop is $50 per person for the Legacy Letter Workshop, ‘Map of My Kingdom’ play, a reception and a discussion session. The cost is $20 per person for the play and discussion session only.”

A news release earlier this month from Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D, Ohio) indicated that, “[Rep. Kaptur], today introduced the Urban Agriculture Production Act (H.R. 3699), a bipartisan bill to bolster nutritional and farmers’ market programs and help create the next generation of local, urban farmers and food producers. The bill is supported by the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition and Farmers Market Coalition.

“‘Too many urban neighborhoods are in food deserts that lack stores where people can purchase fresh, healthy foods, so the federal government needs to step up and improve access to nutritious foods,’ said Kaptur. ‘Nutritious and healthy eating can reduce the rate of diabetes, hypertension and obesity related illnesses and my bill builds on successful nutritional programs, like the Seniors Farmers’ Market. As Congress readies to debate the Farm Bill, I’ll fight for programs that bolster farmers, develop our urban centers and help create jobs.’

“The bill works to spur the development and expansion of regional and local food systems in nontraditional agriculture production areas, like cities and towns. The bill also works to strengthen farmers’ markets, improve nutrition for low-income seniors and veterans and bolster existing U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs that support farmers, ranchers, and producers as a tool for economic development.”

The release added that, “During her tenure in Congress, Kaptur has been a champion of farmers’ markets and other programs and one of the chief authors of urban agriculture legislation. Her legislative efforts have focused on creating places in urban areas to cultivate community agriculture that improve the self-sufficiency of neighborhoods.”

Reuters writer Tom Polansek reported yesterday that, “The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is aiming to allow farmers to spray the controversial weed-killer dicamba next year, but with additional rules for its use, an official with the agency said on Tuesday.

“Reuben Baris, acting chief of the herbicide branch of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Office of Pesticide Programs, said the agency had not yet determined what steps it would take to mitigate problems associated with dicamba. The herbicide, which fights weeds resistant to another herbicide called glyphosate, was linked to widespread crop damage this summer.

“The EPA has been discussing with state regulators ways to prevent such crop damage.”

The article noted that, “Baris told a meeting of state regulatory officials in Washington, D.C., that the agency was ‘very concerned with what has occurred and transpired in 2017.’

“‘We’re committed to taking appropriate action for the 2018 growing season with an eye towards ensuring that the technology is available, number one, to growers but that it is used responsibly,’ he said.

“The EPA is in negotiations with Monsanto and BASF, which sell dicamba herbicides under different brands, to make changes regarding how they are used, Baris said.”

Peter Whoriskey reported in today’s Washington Post that, “Bogus ‘organic’ products may be reaching the United States because of lax enforcement at U.S. ports, according to a new audit by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Office of Inspector General, a finding that helps explain previous reports that millions of pounds of fraudulent ‘organic’ corn and soybeans had reached American ports.

“The USDA lacks procedures to check that a shipment meets organic standards, the report found.

“The USDA ‘was unable to provide reasonable assurance that … required documents were reviewed at U.S. ports of entry to verify that imported agricultural products labeled as organic were from certified organic foreign farms,’ according to the report released Monday. ‘The lack of controls at U.S. ports of entry increases the risk that nonorganic products may be imported as organic into the United States and could create an unfair economic environment for U.S. organic producers.'”

The Post article stated that, “The inspector general’s report adds that the confusion at the ports is so deep that some ‘organic’ shipments — legitimate or not — are fumigated after arrival with pesticides prohibited under USDA organic rules.”

Mr. Whoriskey also noted that, “The report from the inspector general comes as the USDA faces growing doubts about whether food granted the ‘USDA Organic’ label actually meets organic standards. This year, news stories have raised questions about the production methods used in organic milk, organic eggs, as well as imported organic products of all kinds.

“In May, The Washington Post reported that millions of pounds of ‘organic’ corn and soybeans had been shipped to the United States through Turkey despite evidence that they had been grown conventionally. Subsequently, the USDA revoked the ‘organic’ designation from two of the companies involved in importing.”

Donnelle Eller reported yesterday at The Des Moines Register Online that, “The Iowa Environmental Protection Commission denied a petition Monday that would have made it tougher for animal feeding operations to be built in Iowa.

“Petition supporters sought to strengthen the state’s master matrix — a scoring system designed to give local residents input on proposed animal feeding operations — saying the changes would better protect people living near livestock facilities from odor and water pollution.

“But opponents said the petition would make it so difficult to get a passing score, it would result in a statewide moratorium on livestock facilities. That’s a controversial proposal for a state that’s a national leader in pig, egg, turkey and cattle production.”

The Register article noted that, “Environmental groups Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement and Food & Water Watch filed the petition.

“It called for increased distance requirements between neighbors and hog confinements, cattle feedlots and other livestock facilities; greater credit for odor and pollution controls; and a higher overall score for construction approval, among other action.

“The Iowa Department of Natural Resources recommended against adopting the petition.”

Ms. Eller added that, “Ag groups opposed the petition, saying ‘wholesale substantive changes’ violate the Legislature’s mandate.

“The petition’s effect would be to ‘stop the growth of livestock farms — a result that the Legislature went to great lengths to avoid,’ associations representing Iowa cattle, pork, poultry and turkey producers and corn and soybean growers said in a joint letter to the commission.

“The meeting, held at the Capitol, overflowed with supporters and opponents of the petition’s proposed changes.”

A news release on Wednesday from USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) indicated that, “Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue today announced special procedures to assist producers who lost crops or livestock or had other damage to their farms or ranches as a result of hurricanes Harvey and Irma. Also, because of the severe and widespread damage caused by the hurricanes, USDA will provide additional flexibility to assist farm loan borrowers.

“‘The impact is shocking and will be felt for many months,’ said Secretary Perdue. ‘In addition to efforts being made on the ground to assist producers, we have taken a hard look at our regular reporting requirements and adjusted them so producers can take care of pressing needs first and mostly deal with documentation and claims later.  President Trump’s directive is to help people first and deal with paperwork second.  And that’s what USDA is doing.’

“[FSA], is authorizing emergency procedures on a case-by-case basis to assist impacted borrowers, livestock owners, contract growers, and other producers. The measures announced today apply only to counties impacted by a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration-determined tropical storm, typhoon, or hurricane, including Harvey and Irma that have received a primary Presidential Disaster Declaration and those counties contiguous to such designated counties.”

The release added that, “Financially stressed FSA farm loan borrowers affected by the hurricanes who have received primary loan servicing applications may be eligible for 60 day extensions.  Full details are available at https://go.usa.gov/xRe8V.

“A more complete listing of all of the special farm program provisions is posted at https://go.usa.gov/xRe8p.”

Josephine Marcotty reported on Friday at the Minneapolis Star Tribune Online that, “Neighbors engaged in a pitched battle against a big hog feedlot in Goodhue County say that four other facilities owned by the same company may have routinely violating state air standards over a five-week period this summer.

“Using a hand-held air quality monitor, neighbors took turns checking the air just outside six hog facilities owned by Kohlnhofer Farms in southeast Minnesota for a total of 15 hours. During that time, they said they found the air frequently exceeded maximum emissions levels for hydrogen sulfide.

“It shows that ‘there is little or no enforcement of state feedlot air quality rules, and it’s up to citizens to determine that there is a problem,’ said Katie Doody of the Land Stewardship Project, a farm and rural community advocacy group that has joined local residents in opposition to the proposed 4,700-hog facility in Zumbrota Township.”

The Star Tribune article indicated that, “The company said in a statement that its preliminary review of the group’s air monitoring results show that they ‘do not show any violations.‘

“‘This study is little more than a thinly veiled attempt to use incomplete and questionable data to create supposed air quality concerns by intentionally misreading applicable health and legal standards,’ the company said.

“The proposed hog farm, Circle K Farms, is one of several large animal feedlots in the state that have generated fierce opposition in their communities. While officials from the livestock industry say that such conflicts are the exception, the growth in the number of increasingly large hog facilities in Minnesota may be driving the controversy.”

Ms. Marcotty added that, “Hog production in the state nearly doubled between 2006 and 2014, according the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. And the number has continued to grow in recent years as operators in Iowa and other states seek less dense regions to expand and escape the risk of infectious livestock disease.”

Pam Smith reported yesterday at DTN that, “Arkansas farmers could see a narrow window for using dicamba herbicides in soybean and cotton crops next year. The Pesticide Committee of the Arkansas State Plant Board (ASPB) voted on Tuesday to restrict dicamba use in row crops, allowing it only from Jan. 1 to April 15 during the 2018 season.

“The committee’s actions generally rubber-stamped the recommendations of an 18-member dicamba task force appointed by Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson earlier this summer. The task force was asked to review dicamba technology, investigate current problems with its use and application and make recommendations for future use.

“As of Sept. 11, there have been 966 dicamba misuse complaints filed in Arkansas.”

Ms. Smith explained that, “The pesticide committee recognized that the task force struggled to come to consensus and that the April 15 date was not popular with all farmers or industry representatives as that date greatly limits the post-emergence or ‘in-crop’ use of dicamba formulations known as Engenia, XtendiMax and FeXapan.

“However, the committee noted that farmers would still have opportunities to use the formulations in spring burndown or preemergence applications without plant-back provisions required when they used the older, more volatile dicamba formulations. Also, depending on the earliness of planting during the season, the April 15 date might allow some in-season post-emergence applications.”

Ms. Smith also pointed out that, “The spray ban is far from decided and goes before the full Plant Board during its quarterly meeting Sept. 21. Proposals favored by the full board must then go through formal rulemaking — which includes both legislative and governor approval.

“There was no reference made during the meeting of Monsanto’s petition last week challenging the validity of University of Arkansas findings on their product. The company threatened a lawsuit if the state goes through with the proposed ban and if XtendiMax with VaporGrip herbicide is not approved by Arkansas for use during the next growing season. When interviewed by DTN, ASPB staff had no comment other than indicating lawyers are examining the petition.”