By Max Fisher, Vice President of Economics and Government Relations The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) on Nov. 19 released an interim final rule on the definition of agricultural commodity for use in determining which agricultural products are eligible to be hauled under the agricultural exemption to the hours-of-service (HOS) rules for commercial truck drivers. Under the agricultural exemption, HOS regulations do not apply to the transportation of agricultural commodities by truck drivers operating completely within a 150 ... Read More
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FDA conducts public meeting on animal antimicrobials; research published on systems to collect use data
By David Fairfield, Senior Vice President, Feed The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Nov. 16 conducted a virtual public meeting to explain details and receive stakeholder feedback on the agency’s previously issued concept paper that outlines a potential revised process and criteria for ranking animal antimicrobial drugs based upon their importance in human medicine. The concept paper explains a potential approach for updating the current list of antimicrobial drugs ranked by their importance in human medicine (commonly referred to as “Appendix A” of FDA’s Guidance for Industry ... Read More
NGFA comments on FDA’s antimicrobial strategic plan
By David Fairfield, Senior Vice President, Feed NGFA submitted an official statement to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Nov. 13 regarding certain aspects of the National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System (NARMS) Strategic Plan 2021-2025. NGFA’s statement primarily focused on proposed activities within the strategic plan to initiate an antimicrobial resistance testing program for animal feed, pet food and associated ingredients, and included the following comments: Monitoring Thermally Processed Pet Food Would Not Provide Meaningful Information: Since ... Read More
Senate confirms Primus, Schultz to STB
By Randy Gordon, President and CEO The Senate, by separate voice votes on Nov. 18, confirmed the nominations of Robert Primus and Michelle Schultz to become members of the Surface Transportation Board (STB), the federal agency whose responsibilities include regulatory oversight of freight railroads. Primus, a Democrat, most recently served as chief of staff to Rep. Nanette Barragάn, D-Calif. A native of Madison, N.J., he spent 20 years as a staff member for former Rep. Mike Capuano, D-Mass., four of those as his legislative director and the last 16 as chief of staff while Capuano ... Read More
Robots in agriculture: CAST outlines opportunities and challenges
By Sarah Gonzalez, Director of Communications and Digital Media In a new issue paper published on Nov. 16, the Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST) outlined opportunities provided by ground and aerial robots for improved crop and animal production, as well as the challenges associated with their progress and adoption. The paper – entitled Ground and Aerial Robots for Agricultural Production: Opportunities and Challenges – notes that currently, ground and aerial robots are used in both row crops and specialty crops, while robotic manipulators (robotic arms) are used ... Read More
NGFA’s Randy Gordon reflects on CEC history
NGFA announced in July that President and CEO Randy Gordon will retire from a nearly 43-year career with the Association in March 2021. Throughout his years of service to the NGFA, he’s contributed to the growth and influence of the annual Country Elevator Conference and Trade Show, which will be conducted virtually in its 49th year on Dec. 8-10, 2020. Gordon took time to answer questions from NGFA staff about the CEC and how it has become a cornerstone for the Association and its membership. Q: Can you describe your history with NGFA’s Country Elevator Conference & Trade Show? How has ... Read More
NGFA commends Senate for Primus, Schultz confirmations to STB
ARLINGTON, Va. Nov. 19, 2020 -- The National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) commended the Senate for confirming the nominations of Robert Primus and Michelle Schultz to the Surface Transportation Board (STB) on Nov. 18. Both nominees were recommended by the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation on a bipartisan basis, noted the NGFA and 54 other agricultural organizations in a Nov. 19 letter to Senate leaders. Both nominees were confirmed by a voice vote. “Both have the mental acuity, independence and dedication to serve, and will work well with existing ... Read More
NGFA commends Senate passage of U.S. Grain Standards Reauthorization Act of 2020; urges prompt House approval
ARLINGTON, Va., Nov. 17, 2020 -- The National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) today commended the Senate for unanimously approving the U.S. Grain Standards Reauthorization Act of 2020 (S. 4054) on Nov. 16. “This legislation, which would reauthorize the U.S. Grain Standards Reauthorization Act for another five years, provides certainty while improving the official inspection and weighing system through more transparency, information-sharing, and better data,” said NGFA President and CEO Randy Gordon. “This legislation is foundationally important in providing for official grain inspection ... Read More
NGFA outlines U.S. feed industry issues and trends for 2021
NGFA outlines U.S. feed industry issues and trends for 2021 (member log-in required) ... Read More
NGFA prepares for Biden administration
NGFA prepares for Biden administration (member log-in required) ... Read More
National Grain and Feed Association
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