The Environmental Protection Agency has granted an undisclosed waiver to CVR, a refinery owned by Carl Icahn, allowing the company to bypass its biofuel obligations under the Renewable Fuel Standard. The move, which is one of several, has angered the ethanol industry. Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor points out the political ties between the Trump Administration and Icahn, as “Icahn …
Biodiesel Ranks First Among Fleets for Alt Fuel Use
A survey of fleet vehicle providers has found that biodiesel is now the most popular alternative fuel option on the market, followed by E85. The National Biodiesel Board says the study conducted by the Association for the Work Truck Industry shows that the nation’s top fleets call biodiesel the number one choice for greening fleet operations. The 2018 Fleet Purchasing …
Commissioner Gary W. Black Commends the 2018-2019 Georgia FFA State Officer Team
Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary W. Black would like to congratulate the 2018-2019 Georgia State FFA Officer Team that was elected Saturday, April 28 by delegates from over 300 FFA chapters. The eight member officer team will serve throughout the next year as advocates of agricultural education and the Georgia FFA Association. “These young men and women have demonstrated significant leadership …
Georgia Peanut Commission Referendum Passes by 94 Percent – Highest Ever
The Georgia Peanut Commission (GPC) 2018 referendum was held March 16-April 16 and received reaffirmation with a vote of 94.02 percent, the highest the commission has received in its nearly 57-year existence. Armond Morris, peanut farmer from Tifton, Georgia, and GPC chairman, is proud to know his fellow peanut farmers have confidence in the commission and its activities. “I am …
Syngenta Says European Decision Takes Ag In The Wrong Direction
The decision by European Union member states to back the European Commission’s proposal on further restricting the use of neonicotinoids disappointed Syngenta, but it wasn’t unexpected. The company says that wasn’t the right decision for the future of agriculture or the environment in Europe. Syngenta says agriculture needs all the options it has to help farmers ensure that consumers have …
American Veterinary Association Pleased With House Farm Bill
The American Veterinary Medical Association is pleased with the animal health priorities in the House version of the 2018 Farm Bill. Among the highlights, the AVMA is pleased with the new authorizations and funding for a National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Program, The National Animal Health Laboratory Network, and a livestock vaccine bank with immediate attention to foot-and-mouth disease. …
EPA Chief Faces Tough Questions
A Politico report says Environmental Protection Agency Chief Scott Pruitt had a simple task during recent Congressional hearings, which was to keep his conservative backers happy. In turn, that may keep the president happy. Democrats and environmentalists panned Pruitt’s job performance as the EPA head is facing a number of ethical and spending questions. Most Republicans seemed pleased enough with …
EPA Waivers Lower Ethanol Production Six Percent
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has granted Renewable Fuels Standard waivers to dozens of refineries over the last couple of years. The Renewable Fuels Association analyzed the EPA’s own compliance data and found that the exemptions lowered volumetric obligations by at least 1.6 million gallons over that time period. The volume lost over the last two years is ten times …
GDA Food Safety Division Statement on Romaine Lettuce
“The Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) Food Safety Division is actively working with state and federal partners on this ongoing investigation, including the Georgia Department of Public Health and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The GDA agrees with the recommendation issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the FDA, which encourages consumers to follow …
Senator David Perdue Holds Farm Bill Round Table Discussion
U.S. Senator David Perdue (R-GA) holds a round table discussion about the 2018 Farm Bill at the University of Georgia’s College of Agriculture & Environmental Sciences in Tifton, Georgia. The discussion was moderated by Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black and attended by Georgia farmers and industry leaders. “Agriculture is Georgia’s largest economic driver and the lifeblood of our country. Growing …