The Kansas Agribusiness Update Summer Issue
2017 Kansas Agri Business Expo Shooting for Success KRIS “TANTO” PARONTO - Expo Keynote Speaker Former Ranger, 2nd Battalion, 75th Regiment Security and Military Consultant Hero of Benghazi Attack Kris Paronto - “Tanto” as he is affectionately known in security contracting circles - is a former Army Ranger from 2nd Battalion 75th Ranger Regiment and private security contractor who has deployed throughout South America, Central America, the Middle East and North Africa. He also worked with the US Government’s Global Response Staff conducting low profile security in high threat environments throughout the world. Mr. Paronto was part of the CIA annex security team that responded to the terrorist attack on the US Special Mission in Benghazi, Libya, September 11th, 2012, helping to save over 20 lives while fighting off terrorists from the CIA Annex for over 13 hours. Mr. Paronto’s story is told in the book “13 Hours” written by Mitchell Zuckoff and his five surviving annex security team members. More information about the Expo can be found on the Expo website at www.ksabe.org. Registration information for the Expo will be mailed in September; however recertification and attendee registration will be available on the Expo website by late August. Feel free to contact Shari Bennett, Expo Manager, at (785) 234-0464 or shari@kansasag.org if you have questions regarding the 2017 Kansas Agri Business Expo.
Coming Events November 15- Kansas Agri Business Expo 16 Century II Convention Center, Wichita, KS
15 16
SAVE THE
DATE
NOVEMBER 15-16, 2017 | WICHITA
KANSAS AGRI BUSINESS EXPO
www.ksabe.org | Shari Bennett, Expo Manager - (785) 234-0464
7B/4 Recertification
Century II Convention Center, Wichita, KS
Board of Directors
Clark Pearson Chairman Lance Nelson Vice Chairman
December 08 CCA CEU Bonus Session KSU Research Center Hays, KS
Scott Morris
Kevin Dieckmann O.J. Pearl Justin Foss
Johnny Schaben
Dustin Kuntz Second Vice Chairman
Bryan French
Dave Spears
Bill Garner
Kevin Tomka
Kevin Brady Immediate Past Chairman
Tim Giesick
Mark Wegner
Alan Goldsby
David Wilcox
Scott Boyd
Jim Grilliot
Brian Bucl
Rachel Hurley
1A Recertification
Century II Convention Center, Wichita, KS
Troy Coon
Tom Tunnell President & CEO
Staff
Samantha Tenpenny Director of Member Services
Ron Seeber Senior Vice President of Government Affairs
Devon Stewart Marketing and Communications Specialist
Staci Storey Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Lisa Anschutz Senior Director of Internal Operations
Randy Stookey Vice President and General Counsel
Mitzi Dodds Executive Administrative Professional
Shari Bennett Vice President of Event Planning
816 SW Tyler, Topeka, KS 66612 | (785) 234 - 0461 | www.ksagretailers.org
November 15-16, 2017 Century II Convention Center, Wichita
Membership & Training Get Recertified in One Day Recertification training will be offered for anyone certified in categories 7B/4 and 1A during the 2017 Kansas Agri Business Expo at the Century II Convention Center in Wichita. The 7B/4 - Fumigation and Seed Treatment program will take place on Wednesday, November 15th, and the 1A - Ag Plant/Application program will occur on Thursday, November 16th. These programs will provide all required hours for recertification. The 1A program on Thursday will also be submitted for CCA CEU credits. See the enclosed Expo registration form to register. Certified Crop Advisor CEU Bonus Session Available in December Make plans to join KARA for an end-of-the–year CCA CEU Bonus Session on December 8th at the KSU Research Center in Hays. This program will be applied for at least 7 CEUs, as well as 1A credit hours. Additional program and registration information will be made available in September.
FIRM ____________________________________________________________________________________________ ADDRESS ________________________________________________________________________________________ CITY/STATE/ZIP __________________________________________________________________________________ PHONE______________________________ Email (for receipts & updates) _________________________________ Pre-registration ends November 10, 2017. Anyone wishing to register after that date may do so at the convention. Contact Lisa at 785-234-0464 or via email (lisa@kansasag.org) with questions about any of the packages listed below.
Become a CCA Do you work with producers on crop production decisions? Are you involved in agronomic agriculture? Certification programs from the American Society of Agronomy and Soil Science Society of America are the benchmark of professionalism. Farmers and employers prefer to work with Certified Crop Advisers (CCA) because CCAs have demonstrated the commitment, education, expertise and experience to make a difference. To learn more, please email samantha@kansasag.org.
This program will qualify for everything needed to recertify.
Wednesday 7B/4 Recertification ($155): Complete recertification in 7B/4. Includes tradeshow and lunch on Wednesday only.
Already have plans to become a CCA? KARA has study material/binders available for $90 shipped. These notebooks are put together by the KSU Agronomy Department and cover both local and international exam material. If you have questions about upcoming exams or any interest in ordering a copy of the available study materials, please contact Samantha Tenpenny at samantha@kansasag.org today!
Thursday 1A Recertification ($155): Complete recertification in 1A. Includes tradeshow and lunch on Thursday only. ***CCA CEUs offered.
KARA, KSU Field Days a Success KSU Field Days brought 131 agronomy professionals to the KSU Agronomy Farm on July 11-14th. Topics from this year’s interactive program included: insects, diseases, weed identification, herbicide efficacy and injury, soil fertility and physical properties, water technologies and soybean growth, development and production issues. A special thank you to Peter Tomlinson for his hard work to make the annual KARA/KSU Field Day a successful event. Kansas Applicator Institute Draws Agronomists to Hutchinson Over 200 members attended the 6th Kansas Applicator Institute (KAI) in Hutchinson on August 9th & 10th. Presentations were given by KSU professors, agronomists from Bayer CropScience, Dow AgroSciences, BASF and Nationwide Insurance Co. Speakers from KDA, KFSA and Pentair/HYPRO-SHURflo were also featured. Thank you to all who exhibited at this event, especially those that participated in the popular “Ride and Drive” portion of the program.
***Another mailing will be sent in September which will include the Kansas Agri Business Expo information.*** Please fill in the name and email of those who are planning on attending the Recertification Class in November. Also mark which category they are planning on attending.
Recertification
Wednesday
Thursday
7B/4
1A (+CEUs)
$155
$155
Recertification
Both
7B/4, 1A
Recertification
Recertification
$310
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Credit Card (Visa/MC/AmEx) Please charge $___________________ to the credit card listed below:
Credit Card #______________________________________ Expires __________ Email ______________________________________________ Ride and Drive vendors discuss new technology with KAI atendees.
Pictured are the winners of the Weed IDCompetition. First place, with a perfect score, was Kyle Fischer, Jackson Farmers Coop, Holton; second place was David Abel, Valley Coop, Winfield; and third place was Brett Manville, Midwest Fertilizer, Paola.
KAI exhibitors discuss their products with commercial applicators.
Make checks payable and return to: KABE, 816 SW Tyler, Topeka, KS 66612, Fax: (785) 234-2930
NOTE: TO RECEIVE A FULL REFUND, YOU MUST NOTIFY KABE OF CANCELLATION BY FRIDAY NOVEMBER 10, 2017. NO REFUNDS WILL BE MADE AFTER THAT DATE!
Agribusiness Stakeholders Tour Port of Catoosa Association staff joined other agribusiness industry businesses and organizations, federal and state agencies and Congressional staffers for a tour of a section of the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System (MKARNS) near Tulsa, Oklahoma. Staff appreciated seeing first-hand the Port of Catoosa, Oakley’s Port 33 and then a barge ride through Newt Graham Lock and Dam 18. The Tulsa Port of Catoosa is situated at the head of navigation for the MKARNS, stretching from Catoosa, Oklahoma to the Mississippi River 445 miles away. The Port is a mile and a half long, manmade channel with over three miles of water frontage and is a key transportation link for Kansas agricultural shipping, both inbound and outbound. A significant portion of the grain shipped through the Port of Catoosa is sourced from Kansas and
it is a major transportation route for bringing fertilizer north from the gulf. Presenters during the tour included industry leaders Gary Beachner, Beachner Grain, Troy Rigel, Equity Marketing Alliance, Jeremy Mullen, Gavilon, and Dave Riggs, WATCO Rail. All of which spoke in great detail about the benefits the Ports and MKARNS offer to Kansas Agriculture. Stakeholders were also briefed on a key priority of the Trump administration to invest in our nation’s infrastructure. Association staff met with key members in Congress in July to discuss these infrastructure needs and how they greatly benefit Kansas agriculture. Association staff would like to thank the Oklahoma Department of Transportation, the Port of Catoosa, Oakley’s Port 33 and MKARNS for organizing this tour.
TAL Session II Washington D.C.
In July, the 2017 Tomorrow’s Agribusiness Leaders (T.A.L.) class traveled to Washington D.C. for Session II, where they gained invaluable experience and contacts that will allow them to grow professionally and add to their respective companies, the industry and associations. The T.A.L. class this year was treated to two very unique and historic experiences during their visit. They enjoyed a private meeting with Sonny Perdue, the Secretary of Agriculture, and a personal after hours tour of the U.S. Capitol hosted by Congressman Roger Marshall. During the meeting with Secretary Perdue, your Association was able to express our ideas on renegotiating trade agreements, the recently approved GMO law, and to share our appreciation for all the Secretary has done for the industry both publically and privately. Secretary Perdue previously served as the Governor of Georgia and on the board to the National Grain and Feed Association. First District Congressman Dr. Roger Marshall personally gave T.A.L. Session II participants an after hours tour of the U.S. Capitol. This tour included sections of our nation’s capitol normally off limits to the general public. The KARA team enjoyed a visit to the floor of the House chamber and enjoyed the view of nighttime Washington, D.C. from the Speaker of the House’s private balcony. KARA staff would like to express a special thanks to Secretary Perdue and Congressman Marshall for going out of their way to make the 2017 T.A.L. trip a memorable and historic experience. Applications are being accepted for the 2018 T.A.L. class. Please apply at www.ksagretailers.org.
Legislative Update KARA on Guard During Legislative Session The legislative session is normally set to last 90 days. However, this year it went to a near record 113 days. During this session, KARA staff either nurtured the pas-
sage of, tracked, lobbied or killed literally hundreds of bills that affected the industry. The effects of these bills could have small or large impacts, but all had consequences.
2017 Legislative Session General Overview The Kansas Legislature approved the three policy items needed in order to meet the requirements of the Kansas Constitution and the Kansas Supreme Court. They bal-
anced the state budget, approved a school finance plan, and raised $1.2 billion in new taxes to pay for the aforementioned two.
KARA Kills Anti Ag Tax Proposals With a $1.2 billion shortfall, several tax bills were introduced and/or discussed that targeted Agribusiness to raise revenue. These bills were pushed targeting production agriculture as a disproportionate source of revenue for the state. KARA successfully stopped dead in their tracks several such bills detrimental to the industry. Bills KARA killed included imposing a sales tax on
utilities based on agricultural use, eliminating the sales tax exemption for farm machinery and equipment, an excise tax on ethanol and increasing the statewide assessed valuation of agricultural land. Proposals that were discussed, but not introduced because of preemptive measures by KARA, included eliminating the sales tax exemption on ag inputs and curtailing the use of 24D.
$1.2 Billion Retroactive Tax Increase Passed, Vetoed and Overridden The Kansas House and Senate approved and sent to the Governor a bill that would make a number of changes in the Kansas individual income tax structure, which was vetoed, then overridden. It is now the law of Kansas. As of July 1, 2017, individual income tax rates were retroactively being increased beginning in tax year 2017 and
increased again in 2018. The law also repeals provisions of Governor Brownback’s 2013 tax cuts. These include repealing provisions that could have provided for rate reductions in certain future years based on growth in selected State General Fund tax receipts. The law also retroactively repeals for tax year 2017 income exemptions for LLCs, subclass corporations, partnerships, rental income and farm income.
KARA Represented at MACA On June 14-15, 2017, KARA General Counsel Randy Stookey represented KARA at the quarterly Board meeting of the Mid-America CropLife Association (MACA), held in Saint Louis. MACA is a Midwest regional nonlobbying entity whose purpose is to provide industry members with an opportunity to research and discuss various issues affecting the industry and to work together to improve the crop life cycle. Since 2015, Stookey has maintained the MACA Board seat reserved for State Agribusiness Associations. During the MACA board meeting, Stookey provided those in attendance with an update on
issues from Kansas and other member states, including legislative and regulatory items, and crop reports. MACA members also were given the opportunity to tour Eckert Farms, a mixed variety sensitive crop facility, in Belleville, Illinois.
Truck Weight Law Good for Fertilizer Transportation Effective July 1, 2017 KARA pushed for and successfully nurtured into law a bill that increases the maximum commercial truck weight in Kansas from 85,000 lbs. on 5 axles, to up to 90,000 lbs. on 6 axles on NON-interstate roads.
tear on Kansas roads. This change in the law will allow KARA members to efficiently conduct commerce not only within the state but across state lines. The law contains language designed as an acceptable resolution between the major proponents of the bill and key railroad interests with regard to increasing truck weights on non-interstate roadways in Kansas. The law is limited to agricultural hauling which is to be construed liberally and includes agricultural inputs, farm supplies, biofuels, feed, raw or processed agricultural commodities, livestock, raw meat products intended by the shipper for further processing or farm products.
The new law mostly harmonizes Kansas truck weight standards on six-axle commercial vehicles with other states in our region, and provides a reasonable, necessary and limited remedy to the current economic disadvantage of ag shippers in our state. The law introduces a safer truck configuration that could mitigate wear and
This year, from September 5 – 7th, MACA will hold its Annual Meeting in Kansas City at the Westin Hotel at Crown Center. MACA will feature various speakers, including Michele Payn who will discuss “Translating Farm to Food,” enabling our industry to speak truth against today’s current of misinformation.
Agricultural Chemical Remediation Reimbursement Program: Update In 2000, the Kansas Legislature passed the Agricultural and Specialty Chemical Remediation Act which created the Remediation Reimbursement Program and the Kansas Agricultural Chemical Remediation Reimbursement Fund (Reimbursement Fund). The Remediation Reimbursement Program provides financial reimbursement of expenses incurred while performing remediation activities for agricultural chemical and fertilizer contamination, as ordered by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) for properties enrolled in the Voluntary Cleanup and Property Redevelopment Program or State Cooperative Program. Under the Remediation Reimbursement Program, the commercial grain industry and ag-chemical and fertilizer industry pay fees into the Reimbursement Fund. The Board approves reimbursement of qualifying expenses submitted by applicants to the fund up to $200,000 per site. The Reimbursement Program is administered by the Kansas Agricultural Remediation Board (KARB). During
the June 16, 2017 KARB meeting, the Board reimbursed twenty-two (22) applicants a total of approximately $250,000. The next KARB meeting will be held on September 15, 2017, and the deadline to submit new applications prior to that meeting is August 18, 2017. In the summer of 2016, the Board amended a regulation concerning which expenses are eligible for reimbursement. Beginning June 1, 2016, for all new applications to the fund, expenses submitted for meals, lodging, mileage or other travel expenses will no longer be eligible for reimbursement from the fund. Since 2009, applications to the fund have exceeded the amount of money in the fund. Therefore, a priority based ranking system is utilized for all applications received by which each application is reviewed by KDHE and given a priority score. Applications involving potential risk to human health and safety are scored higher. Applications are reimbursed in priority order based on their priority score. The current amount of outstanding reimbursement requests to the fund is approximately $3.79 million.
First Shots Fired in Farm Bill Battle President Trump’s proposed budget would cut the federal crop insurance program by $28.5 billion - roughly 36% - by capping the premium subsidy and eliminating the harvest price option. Since these programs are widely used by soybean growers, the American Soybean Association (ASA) went on record against the budget. “By shredding our farm safety net, slashing critical agricultural research and conservation initiatives, and hobbling our access to foreign markets, this budget is a blueprint for how to make already difficult times in rural America even worse,” said ASA President Ron Moore. However, it seems as if these proposals will be altered. Two days
after the budget was released, Senator Pat Roberts (RKS), Chair of the Senate Agricultural Committee, spoke out against funding these cuts as the panel prepared to draft the 2018 Farm Bill. In addition, the top Democrat on the panel, Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), was also critical of the proposed cuts. “The proposal cuts $231 billion from farm bill programs, which would make a five-year farm bill virtually impossible to pass,” said Stabenow. So with the battle lines now being clearly drawn, the agricultural community can probably expect a lengthy fight as the 2018 Farm Bill takes shape.
OSHA’s New Recordkeeping Rule Invalidated On April 5, 2017, President Donald Trump signed the congressional resolution disapproving OSHA’s rule, “Clarification of Employers’ Continuing Obligation to Make and Maintain Accurate Records of Each Recordable Injury and Illness,” generally referred to as the Volks rule. Federal agencies are now prohibited from reissuing
similar regulations without congressional approval. The Congressional resolution invalidates the rule, so OSHA may not cite employers for violations outside of the sixmonth statute of limitations. However, employers must still maintain, and update as needed, their OSHA 300 Logs of workplace injuries and illnesses for five years.
NPDES Permit – A Possible Legislative Fix Bipartisan legislation has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives (H.R. 953) and the U.S. Senate (S. 340) that would clarify that federal law does not require the redundant and unfairly burdensome National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits for already regulated pesticide applications. ARA and allied industry stakeholders have been leading an effort to pass this legislation over the past several years. It was one of
ARA’s priority issues discussed during the 2017 ARA Winter Board meeting. There are many obstacles to securing this NPDES permit legislative fix and we need your help in urging your Senators and Representatives to support and pass this common-sense, bipartisan legislation.
Source: Eric Sfiligoj, editor CropLife magazine
Source: The Asmark Institute
Source: Agricultural Retailers Association Source: The Asmark Institute
KARA Annual Meeting On August 21-22, 105 members of the Kansas Agribusiness Retailers Association enjoyed another successful Annual Meeting at the Hilton Garden Inn and Conference Center in Manhattan. Members gathered Monday evening for a social at the hotel where they enjoyed good food and networking. Tuesday morning started bright and early with breakfast and the Star Spangled Banner sang by Rebecca Vrbas, KARA member Rick Vrbas’ daughter. This was followed by Chairman Kevin Brady calling the annual meeting to order. Aaron Harries, Kansas Wheat Commission, received this year’s Distinguished Service Award. Brady handed over the gavel to the incoming Chairman, Clark Pearson. Brady was presented the Immediate Past Chairman silver platter by Mike Shirley. KARA was honored to have Richard Gupton, Agricultural Retailers Association, and Dr. Matt Roberts, Ag Economist, speak during the meeting. After the meeting ajourned, 69 KARA members enjoyed a beautiful day golfing at Colbert Hills. The 2017 Chairman’s Golf Outing champions are Jake Strecker, Clark Pearson, Zach Davies and Craig Dockter.
Kansas Agribusiness Retailers Association 816 SW Tyler, Suite 100 Topeka, Kansas 66612
THANK YOU KARA SPONSORS
Underwriters $15,000+ KFSA Founders $7,500 Koch Fertilizer, LLC Benefactors $5,000 Dow AgroSciences Syngenta Winfield United
Patrons $3,500 ADM Fertilizer BASF Corporation CoBank ACB Coffeyville Resources Crop Production Services Heartland Ag Helena Chemical Company John Deere CAD Dealers Lang Diesel Inc. Monsanto Rosen’s Inc. Wilbur-Ellis Co. Builders $2,000 Allied Environmental Consultants Inc. Beachner Grain Inc. CGB Fertilizer
CHS Inc. DuPont Crop Protection EGE Products FMC Frontier Ag, Inc. J.B. Pearl Sales & Service, Inc. MKC Morrill Elevator, Inc. Offerle Coop Grain & Supply Co.
Donor $750 Alliance Ag & Grain LLC American Implement, Inc. Brothers Equipment, Inc. Central Valley Ag Fairbank Equipment, Inc. Farmers Coop Equity Co., Isabel Farmway Coop Inc., Beloit Gavilon Fertilizer LLC Harveyville Seed Co. Inc. Kansas Cooperative Council Kiser Ag Service LLC MFA/AGChoice Midwest Laboratories, Inc. Miller Elevator Inc. Nemaha County Coop The Ottawa Cooperative Assn. Performance Ag Pride Ag Resources
Purple Wave Auction Riggins Ag Simplot One
Tomorrow’s Agribusiness Leaders: Founder $1,000 MKC Patron $700 DuPont Crop Protection MFA/AgChoice Winfield United Builder $500 Allied Enviromental Fairbank Equipment Frontier Ag, Inc. Gavilon Fertilizer Helena Chemical Company J.B. Pearl Sales & Service KFSA Monsanto Nemaha Country Coop Wilbur-Ellis Co. Other Kansas Cooperative Council
The Kansas Agribusiness Update is published quarterly for the members, friends and affiliates of the Kansas Agribusiness Retailers Association. The KARA team welcomes your comments, contributions and suggestions. Mail contributions to: KARA: Attn: Devon Stewart, 816 SW Tyler, Topeka, KS 66612 Annual subscriptions for members can be purchased for $25. © 2017 KARA