Farm Safety Program Debuts In The United States
BASF is supporting a safe growing season in 2023 with the launch of the BASF Safety Scouts program for U.S. farm families. The program helps children learning about the value and importance of farm safety by providing safety kits to families free of charge.
The BASF Safety Scouts program offers two kits. The Safety “Scout” kit is designed for children six years of age and younger while the Safety “Captain” kit activities are geared for children seven and older and promote additional safety tasks, including working with an adult to choose a designated “Safety Spot” muster point on the farm.
This spring, the BASF Safety Scouts program provided 2,000 kits to farm families throughout the country free of charge. Safety Scouts and Safety Captains can share pictures, videos, drawings and safety tips by tagging @BASFAgProducts on Twitter using the hashtag #BASFSafetyScouts. To inquire about receiving a free kit, visit: https://tinyurl.com/a5rrd4cc.
Deer Damage — Any Good, Consistent Solutions?
Among the more frequent needs expressed by farmers is preventing, reducing and/or minimizing deer damage, according to Alabama cotton specialist Steve M. Bown. He said deer feeding is particularly troublesome on young cotton. They can wipe out the stands, but deer are present at all stages of the crop year and hurt production from planting until harvest.
“We are aware of numerous treatments, including trap crops, border crops, in-furrow insecticides, sprayed on products, human waste compost, scare crows (or as I recently heard them called, ‘deer crows’), fences, scare guns, and old fashioned ‘lead,’” Brown said.
“We are unaware of any fool-proof approach and are seeking to identify consistent control measures. Email Dr. Scott Graham at shg0013@auburn.edu or me at cottonbrown@auburn.edu with your best tested thoughts. We are always looking for answers.”
Trust Protocol 2023 Crop Enrollent Is Open
U.S. cotton producers now can enroll their 2023 crop in the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol through Sept. 1, 2023, at https://trustuscotton.org/. For help enrolling, reach out to the Grower Help Desk at growers@trustuscotton.org.
Producers enrolled in the Trust Protocol are eligible to participate in the Climate Smart Cotton Program. They also receive personalized data, which can be used to help improve their sustainability efforts and yield.
All data entered in the Trust Protocol is secure and confidential. Crop consultants may be authorized to enter information on the producer’s behalf.
USDA Seeks Nominees For The Cotton Board
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is seeking nominations of domestic cotton producers from Arkansas, California, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Texas and importers of cotton and cotton-containing products for positions on The Cotton Board.
The producers and importers will fill positions for 13 members and 13 alternates. USDA will appoint members and alternates to serve three-year terms beginning Jan. 1, 2024, to Dec. 31, 2026.
Certified producer organizations and certified importer organizations will hold caucuses to nominate two qualified persons for each open position in their respective industry segment.
Producer caucuses are scheduled as follows and all times are local times:
→ Arkansas: July 12 at 10 a.m.
→ California: July 12 at 10 a.m.
→ Louisiana: July 11 at 10 a.m.
→ Mississippi: July 11 at 9 a.m.
→ North Carolina: July 17 at 3 p.m.
→ Texas: July 20 at 2 p.m.
“The Cotton Board seeks to promote diversity and ensure equal opportunity and inclusion for those who qualify for nomination and appointment to The Cotton Board regardless of race, ethnicity, sex, disability, socio-economic status, religion or sexual orientation,” said Bill Gillon, Cotton Board president/CEO.
“Further, we strongly encourage certified organizations to keep in mind the benefits that diverse membership and leadership will bring to the Cotton Research & Promotion Program when considering individuals for nomination to The Cotton Board.”
For nominating and caucus information, including organizations seeking certification and a list of CPOs and CIOs, contact AMS’ Cotton Research and Promotion staff at (540) 361-2726 or CottonRP@usda.gov.
Agriculture And Business Coalition Opposes Water-Rights Bills In California
Critics of California’s water-rights system are seeking to overhaul rules that date back to California’s founding in 1850.
Three water-rights bills are pending in the California Legislature that would expand the authority of the California State Water Resources Control Board.The bills are opposed by a large coalition that includes dozens of farm groups, water agencies and business groups.
Kristopher Anderson of the Association of California Water Agencies said the bills “present a foundational change” for California’s water rights system.
Nominate The 2024 Farm Bureau Farm Dog Of The Year
KriFarmers and ranchers are invited to submit nominatioons for the 2024 Farm Bueau Farm Dog of the Year contest, which comes with cash prizes and bragging rights. the winner wil be recognized at the Farm Dog of the Year awards ceremony at the American Farm Bureau Federation Convertioon in Salt Lake City, Utah, January 2024.
The winner will receive a year’s worth of Purina Pro Plan dog food nd $5,000 in prize money. Up to three regional runners-up will each win $1,000 in prize money. To view eligibility guidelines and submissioon requirements, please go to www.fb.org/land/fdoty.