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20 Sep

Posted at 14:20h in Advocacy, Industry News, Regulatory
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On July 12, 2022, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued, for public notice seeking comments on a November 18, 2021, petition requesting that EPA revoke all tolerances and cancel all associated registrations for food uses of certain organophosphate pesticides (OPs). On September 19, Kansas Agribusiness Retailers Association (KARA) filed comments to EPA on the benefits of organophosphates in Kansas agricultural production. KARA noted removal of this crop protection tool would potentially cause great harm to, and loss of, Kansas crops such as corn, sorghum and cotton leading to significant economic...

15 Sep

Posted at 06:40h in Industry News
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Following hours of negotiation into the early morning, a tentative agreement has been made between railroads and rail union representatives preventing a nationwide rail shutdown ahead of Friday's 12:01 a.m., deadline. "We are thankful the railroad and its labor unions were able to reach an agreement as we were already seeing shipments of crop protection tools jeopardized by the impending strike," KARA President and CEO Ron Seeber said. "We appreciate all of our members who contacted our congressional delegation and explained the repercussions a shutdown would have led to for agriculture...

14 Sep

Posted at 14:24h in Advocacy, Industry News
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Kansas Agribusiness Retailers Association joined more than 100 other organizations in signing and sending a letter on Sept. 15 to congressional leaders requesting action be taken to avoid a rail strike. A copy of the letter is available to view below. Although KARA and other groups prefer a resolution be reached by the negotiating parties, if an agreement can't be made, the letter addressed to United States Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky), Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-California) and House Republican Leader Kevin...

13 Sep

Posted at 07:05h in Advocacy, Industry News
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As you are aware, railroads and rail labor have until 12:01 a.m. on Sept. 16 to reach an agreement preventing a lockout or strike after the Presidential Emergency Board published a proposed settlement on Aug. 17. Kansas Agribusiness Retailers Association is working with its national affiliate organizations as well as the Kansas Congressional Delegation to find solutions to the impending rail labor strike. As this deadline approaches, there is no agreement yet in place. According to The Fertilizer Institute, Rail carriers announced Friday evening that shipments of fertilizer products, such as ammonia...

05 Sep

Posted at 17:15h in Industry News
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Kansas Agribusiness Retailers Association (KARA) mourns the recent passing of former association chairman and Distinguished Service Award winner Jarold "Jerry" Boettcher. Boettcher was born on May 19, 1940 and sadly passed away on August 21, 2022. He was instrumental in the association's formative years, helping transform it into a 501(c)(6) not-for-profit trade association. He devised the, "Boettcher Formula" which facilitated the orderly transfer of monies between Kansas Fertilizer and Chemical Institute and the later-named KARA. Boettcher served as KARA's chairman in 1989 and his financial expertise was critical in assuring the crop...

02 Sep

Posted at 06:54h in Industry News
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Well known businessman in the agriculture and heavy construction businesses, Eugene C. “Corky” Beachner, died unexpectedly at 1:40 a.m., Thursday, August 25, 2022 at his home in Parsons. Corky was born October 17, 1943 on the family farm east of St. Paul, to Fred and Anna (Brazil) Beachner. He graduated from St. Paul High School in 1961. When asked where he went to college, many times Corky would reply, “I went to the University of Hard Knocks.” On August 4, 1962 he and Alice Trout were married at St. Patrick Catholic...

30 Aug

Posted at 13:08h in Industry News, Regulatory
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Following the inability of comprehensive water legislation to pass the Kansas House of Representatives during the 2022 legislative session, a special joint committee featuring members of the Kansas House and Senate held informational hearings on the status of water issues this week. The previously proposed legislation would have added new water use fees on Kansas irrigators and made sweeping changes to the state’s groundwater management districts. The legislation, as introduced, was broadly opposed by agriculture. The committee, chaired by Senator Dan Kerschen (R-Garden Plain), received presentations from multiple state boards and agencies...

25 Aug

Posted at 09:08h in Regulatory
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The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), Division of Environment, Bureau of Air, has published proposed amendments to its air quality regulations K.A.R. 28-19-517 regarding Class I operating permits, annual emissions inventory, and fees; K.A.R. 28-19-546 regarding Class II operating permits, annual emission inventory, and fees; and K.A.R. 28-19-564 regarding Class II operating permits, permits-by-rule, and sources with actual emissions less than 50 percent of major source thresholds. Public Hearing - The agency will conduct a public hearing at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, November 3, 2022, in Room 530, Curtis State...

24 Aug

Posted at 08:14h in Industry News
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Modified to a one-day endeavor, the 2022 KARA annual meeting featured a short business session followed by a golf tournament at Kansas’ No. 1 ranked public course, Colbert Hills, in Manhattan on August 23. Nearly 80 members enjoyed the temperate weather and pristine conditions on the course following a business session conducted by KARA chairman Dustin Kuntz and the association’s President and CEO Ron Seeber. Posted by Kansas Agribusiness Retailers Association on Wednesday, August 24, 2022 Kuntz and Seeber teamed up to review the association’s endeavors in 2021 and 2022 as well as an...

19 Aug

Posted at 09:54h in Industry News
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APPLICATION LINK PROVIDED BY KDOT Effective August 16, 2022, the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) will have $5 million available through the Short Line Rail Improvement Fund (SLRIF) for railroad improvement projects. Qualified entities that may submit an application include: any Class III (short line) or Class II railroad, as defined in 49 C.F.R., part 1201.1 holding a certificate of public convenience from the Surface Transportation Board and any owner or lessee (shipper) located on a Class III or Class II railroad in coordination with the serving railroad. Of total project costs,...

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