ARLINGTON, Va., April 26, 2021 -- The National Grain and Feed Association and a coalition of agricultural shippers including the North American Millers Association, National Oilseed Processors Association, Pet Food Institute, and American Bakers Association today announced a partnership with the Association of American Railroads (AAR) and Railinc to give shippers greater visibility into the recent commodities carried by covered hopper cars. This new resource will provide shippers with essential information to maintain the highest food safety standards and help prevent potential cross-contact ... Read More
Subject-focused News
CAPs get a virtual ‘D.C. Experience’
NGFA’s current Committee Apprentice Program (CAP) class participated in two days of virtual meetings with NGFA staff, government agencies and lawmakers this week. April 20-21 marked the annual “CAP D.C. Experience,” during which CAPs advocate for NGFA priority issues with lawmakers and their staff and visit with staff from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Commodity Futures Trading Commission and other relevant agencies. Keynote speakers kicked off each day of meetings by addressing the full group of CAPs. Speakers included Eyang Garrison, chief of ... Read More
NGFA finalizes new Climate Change and Sustainability Task Force
To assist NGFA in addressing the significant issues of climate change and sustainability, NGFA Chairman JoAnn Brouillette has appointed the following individuals to serve on the newly created Climate Change and Sustainability Task Force: Fernando Adler, head of Gradable Commercial Services, an FBN Company Meg Belcher, senior vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary, Scoular Jay Burns, sustainability ambassador, COFCO INTL Ben Fargher, managing director of sustainability, Cargill North America Supply Chain Mark Hobrock, senior profit center manager, The ... Read More
NGFA prioritizes targeting environmentally sensitive land within the Conservation Reserve Program
ARLINGTON, Va., April 21, 2021 – NGFA President and CEO Mike Seyfert made the following statement regarding the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) April 21 announcement to expand Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acreage with an emphasis on climate-smart solutions. "NGFA looks forward to working with Congress and the Biden administration on promoting working lands conservation programs as climate-smart solutions that keep U.S. agriculture competitive. The NGFA believes CRP should be targeted at the most environmentally sensitive portions of farms, and avoid enrollment of ... Read More
NGFA urges Congress to alleviate truck driver shortage
NGFA and 117 other stakeholder groups this week urged lawmakers to help alleviate a nationwide shortage of commercial truck drivers by providing new opportunities for younger drivers. “Seventy percent of the nation’s freight is carried by commercial trucks, and while demand is projected to increase over the next decade, the threat posed by the driver shortage stands to disrupt the continuity of the supply chain,” stated an April 14 letter to leaders of the Senate Commerce Committee and the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. “This is especially problematic as the nation and ... Read More
Registration is open for FSMA training on Aug. 17-19
Registration is open for the NGFA-Kansas State University (KSU) Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) training course scheduled for Aug. 17-19 in Manhattan, Kan. This course is targeted for businesses that need to comply with FDA’s rule for Current Good Manufacturing Practice, Hazard Analysis, and Risk-Based Preventive Controls for Food for Animals. The FDA FSMA-related animal food rule requires that certain activities specified within the regulations be completed by a “preventive controls qualified individual” or PCQI. Such activities include overseeing or performing: 1) ... Read More
NGFA urges DoD to reinstate Inland Waterways Users Board
NGFA urged the Department of Defense this week to reinstate the Inland Waterways Users Board (IWUB) as soon as possible. In an April 7 letter to DoD leaders, NGFA President and CEO Mike Seyfert noted that the U.S. inland waterways system is financed in part by a diesel fuel tax that commercial users pay, deposited into the Inland Waterways Trust Fund (IWTF). “The users who help pay for the maintenance and modernization of this system should continue to have their voice heard through the IWUB,” he noted. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin ordered a “zero-based review” of all DoD ... Read More
Purdue University releases grain entrapment statistics for 2020
By Jess McCluer, Vice President of Safety and Regulatory Affairs Purdue University’s Agricultural Safety and Health Program last month released its “2020 Summary of U.S. Agricultural and Confined-Space Related Injuries and Fatalities” report, which documents 35 grain entrapment cases that occurred in 2020. The 35 cases represent an almost 8 percent decline in grain entrapments from 2019, when 38 entrapments were recorded. The total number of fatal and non-fatal entrapments is the second highest in the past six years. In 2020, the state with the most documented grain entrapments — fatal ... Read More
NGFA members elect officers and new directors
ARLINGTON, Va., March 31, 2021 – The National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) announced today that its members re-elected JoAnn Brouillette, president and managing partner of Demeter LP in Fowler, Ind., as NGFA Chairman. NGFA distributed a ballot on March 15 to member companies eligible to vote (Active and Affiliated Association Members) for the election of NGFA’s Board of Directors and industry officers and the ratification of amendments to NGFA’s Bylaws, Trade Rules and Arbitration Rules. Ballots were due on March 26. Election of NGFA Officers and ... Read More
NGFA declares opening of Mid-Mississippi River
Pursuant to the NGFA Trade Rules, NGFA has declared that the Mid-Mississippi River opened for navigation as of 7 a.m. on Monday, March 29, 2021. NGFA Barge Freight Trading Rule 18(J) provides as follows: “The Dubuque and South (Mid-Mississippi) opening commences the first 07:00 hours of the first business day after the first empty dry cargo covered barge suitable for loading, originating at or below Winfield, Mo., reaches Dubuque, Iowa. The Mid-Miss opening shall be determined by a majority vote of a three-person committee appointed by the NGFA Chairman and shall be announced by publishing ... Read More
Lacy Holleman
National Grain and Feed Association
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