Corn Refiners Submit Statement For The Record: Call For Increased Agricultural Trade

Feb 03, 2023

Earlier today, the Corn Refiners Association submitted a statement for the record to the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, & Forestry’s hearing on the trade and horticulture Farm Bill titles.

With the agricultural supply chain contributing over $7.4 trillion to the U.S. economy annually, the importance of the industries involved cannot be overstated. These industries directly support 21.5 million jobs, or more than 14% of U.S. employment, and are responsible for roughly one-fifth of the country’s economic activity. With 95% of the world’s consumers overseas, exports are a vital part of that activity and critical to the overall health of the U.S. economy.

In the statement, CRA also reinforced their gratitude for the Senate’s confirmation of Doug McKalip as USTR Chief Agricultural Negotiator

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Video: Dicamba Returns for Georgia Farmers: What the New EPA Ruling Means for Cotton Growers

After being unavailable in 2024 due to registration issues, dicamba products are returning for Georgia farmers this growing season — but under strict new conditions.

In this report from Tifton, Extension Weed Specialist Stanley Culpepper explains the updated EPA ruling, including new application limits, mandatory training requirements, and the need for a restricted use pesticide license. Among the key changes: a cap of two ½-pound applications per year and the required use of an approved volatility reduction agent with every application.

For Georgia cotton producers, the ruling is significant. According to Taylor Sills with the Georgia Cotton Commission, the vast majority of cotton planted in the state carries the dicamba-tolerant trait — meaning farmers had been paying for technology they couldn’t use.

While environmental groups have expressed concerns over spray drift, Georgia growers have reduced off-target pesticide movement by more than 91% over the past decade. Still, this two-year registration period will come with increased scrutiny, making stewardship and compliance more important than ever.