DOT Wont Change Ag Rules

Posted by Chad Vorthmann on Aug 10, 2011 in Ag/Food Industry, Regulatory | 0 comments

The American Farm Bureau Federation is pleased the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration listened to farmer and rancher concerns regarding changes to agricultural transportation regulations and commercial drivers license provisions. As a result of comments received from AFBF and others, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said today that the FMCSA has...

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Colorado State Freight and Passenger Rail Plan Workshops

Posted by Brent B on Aug 10, 2011 in Legislative | 0 comments

The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) will hold a series of workshops around the state to receive input from the key stakeholders on various elements of Colorado’s State Freight and Passenger Rail Plan (SFPRP). The SFPRP will provide guidance for investing in future rail needs and present ways to enhance passenger and freight rail development to support economic growth and...

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FSA Modifies CRP for Producers Affected by Sustained Drought

Posted by Chad Vorthmann on Aug 9, 2011 in Regulatory, Weather | 0 comments

On Monday, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the Farm Service Agency is modifying its Conservation Reserve Program policies to help those affected by sustained drought conditions. Normally, the period allowed for emergency grazing lasts through Sept. 30. FSA is permitting farmers and ranchers in drought-stricken states who have been approved for emergency grazing, including those...

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What is ‘Rural’?

Posted by Chad Vorthmann on Aug 9, 2011 in Ag/Food Industry, Rural Life | 0 comments

During a recent visit to Kansas City, Mo., Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said he would ask the White House Rural Council to try to reduce the number of federal government definitions of rural America. He also indicated he would urge Congress to take up the issue, as rural officials have complained they have a hard time figuring out what programs they qualify for. USDA currently has 11...

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Roberts Urges Fair Transportation Treatment for Ag

Posted by Chad Vorthmann on Aug 8, 2011 in Ag/Food Industry, Regulatory | 0 comments

Sen. Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) sent a letter last week to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration expressing concerns over critical transportation proposals related to transporting agriculture commodities. “The FMCSA proposed rule changes would provide no proven benefit, and would only serve to excessively and unnecessarily overburden our agriculture producers who are already overstrained by...

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