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25 Oct

Posted at 12:39h in Advocacy, Industry News, Regulatory
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Association has joined more than 100 state and national level organizations in signing a letter urging President Joe Biden's administration to continue working with the railroads and union officials to ensure an agreed-upon mid-September rail labor contract is ratified. To date, six of the 12 unions have ratified the agreement, however, there are concerns a strike could still take place which would have devastating consequences on the economy. Many major news organizations have published reports detailing the potential strike in November. Links to stories are below. Railroads reject sick time demands, raising...

06 Oct

Posted at 09:56h in Industry News
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Kansas Agribusiness Retailers Association (KARA) members are being offered a special $200 discount on registration fees to the 2022 PACE Executive Forum on Oct. 27-28 in Kansas City, Mo. PACE Executive Forum is an exclusive 1-1/2-day conference for executive leaders to come together to get insights on strategic drivers that are reshaping the industry. The Forum’s agenda will explore the forces driving rapid, consequential changes so that you can adapt to the new market realities. By participating, you’ll be better equipped to position for your organization to capitalize on the opportunities in this new generation of...

05 Oct

Posted at 14:53h in Advocacy, Industry News, Regulatory
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Kansas Agribusiness Retailers Association (KARA) submitted comments to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Thursday concerning the agency's re-evaluation of the current level of concern for atrazine herbicide. EPA's deadline to receive comments is Friday, Oct. 7. In summary, KARA requested EPA retain the current aquatic level of concern at 15 parts per billion for atrazine, and not adopt the additional proposed label mitigation measures. On June 30, 2022, EPA announced it has re-evaluated the current atrazine level of concern (LOC), which is 15 ppb, and “determined” in its proposed revised...

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...

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