EPA clears air on Farmers’ equipment Repair Rights

Sep 11, 2023

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has given a boost to farmers. They've stated that the Clean Air Act (CAA) shouldn't be a barrier for farmers wanting to repair their equipment themselves.

Some equipment makers and sellers had previously claimed EPA rules and the CAA as reasons to put limits on repairs. Their argument is that independent fixes might interfere with systems controlling pollution. However, NFU's head, Rob Larew, suggests these claims by manufacturers were just excuses to limit independent repairs.

In a significant move, EPA's Administrator Regan penned a letter to the National Farmers Union (NFU). He mentioned that their concern isn't about who repairs the equipment but about preventing wrongful tampering. He expressed that proper care and mending of equipment is good for our planet. Thus, he supports any rules that let farmers fix their equipment as long as they don’t mess with emission controls.

The NFU is pushing for a nationwide rule. They want farmers and mechanics to be able to fix farming tools at fair prices. President Larew emphasizes that the freedom to repair is crucial for ensuring fairness in the agricultural sector.

Source : wisconsinagconnection

Video: Sweetener Effects on Gut Health - Dr. Kwangwook Kim

In this episode of The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Kwangwook Kim, Assistant Professor at Michigan State University, discusses the use of non-nutritive sweeteners in nursery pig diets. He explains how sucralose and neotame influence feed intake, gut health, metabolism, and the frequency of diarrhea compared to antibiotics. The conversation highlights mechanisms beyond palatability, including hormone signaling and nutrient transport. Listen now on all major platforms!

“Receptors responsible for sweet taste are present not only in the mouth but also along the intestinal tract.”

Meet the guest: Dr. Kwangwook Kim / kwangwook-kim is an Assistant Professor at Michigan State University, specializing in swine nutrition and feed additives under disease challenge models. He earned his M.S. and Ph.D. in Animal Sciences from the University of California, Davis, where he focused on intestinal health and metabolic responses in pigs. His research evaluates alternatives to antibiotics, targeting gut health and performance in nursery pigs.