Leveling the road for biofuels - NCGA's new drive

Oct 04, 2023

Have you ever thought of cars that are environmentally friendly? The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) is trying to turn that dream into reality. Their goal? To ensure fuels like ethanol aren't left in the rearview mirror.

The road guardians, aka the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, pitched an idea that cars guzzle less fuel. But there's a twist, this could mean less room for biofuels on our roads.

Tom Haag, the captain at NCGA, warns that such a move might make car makers skip eco-friendly options like corn ethanol. And that's a bummer because biofuels are superheroes in battling pollution and can be pocket-friendly too.

Haag shares, "Biofuels have a big role in a cleaner Earth."

Source : wisconsinagconnection

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.