Survey on GIPSA's Federal Grain Inspection Service January 17, 2012
GIPSA announced today its intention to request that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approve a 3-year extension of and revision to a currently approved information collection of a voluntary customer survey concerning the delivery of official inspection, grading, and weighing services authorized under the United States Grain Standards Act and the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946.
This voluntary survey gives customers that are primarily in the grain, oilseed, rice, lentil, dry pea, edible bean, and related agricultural commodity markets an opportunity to provide feedback on the quality of services they receive and provides GIPSA with information on new services that customers wish to receive. Customer feedback assists GIPSA's Federal Grain Inspection Service (FGIS) with enhancing the value of services and service delivery provided by the official inspection, grading, and weighing system. Click here for instructions on how to submit comments due by March 19, 2012.
Applications now being accepted for SBA STEP grants
January 17, 2012
Companies that wish to apply for more than $500,000 in funding through the State Trade and Export Promotion Grants Program (STEP) may now do so, the Kansas Departments of Agriculture and Commerce announced last month. The funding, which is provided by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), was first announced in September. The grant is focused on encouraging businesses to explore export markets.
Much of the money will be made available through the state’s International Market Development Grant (IMDGP) program that will provide funding assistance for Kansas businesses as they explore overseas markets. Eligible expenses funded under the IMDGP may include trade shows, trade missions, translation of website or marketing materials, conferences and seminars and other export-related activities. Read more.
CFTC settles false reporting charges against Midwest Land & Livestock December 22, 2011
On December 14, the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) announced that it obtained a consent order of permanent injunction against defendants Mark A. Vanderploeg formerly of Glendale, Ariz., and his companies, Midwest Land & Livestock, Inc. (MLL), of Glendale, Ariz., SKV Farms Inc. (SKV) of Omaha, Neb., and DCV Farms, Inc. (DCV) of Minneapolis, Minn., for engaging in an illegal, false reporting scheme. The CFTC charged that the defendants defrauded grain elevators and cooperatives in Kansas, Iowa, Minnesota, Illinois, and South Dakota (see CFTC’s press release on September 23, 2010 for background).
The consent order requires Vanderploeg, MLL, SKV, and DCV jointly and severally to pay a $70,000 civil monetary penalty and restitution totaling $112,400. The order requires the defendants to disgorge $200,000 of ill-gotten gains. The order also bans the defendants from engaging in any commodity-related activity, including trading and registering with the CFTC, for a five-year period. Read more.
Atchison Memorial Fund November 23, 2011
The grain industry family recently suffered a great loss when several men were fatally injured in a grain dust explosion at an elevator in Atchison, Kansas. Our thoughts and prayers go out to their families, co-workers and communities.
The boards of directors of the Kansas Grain and Feed Association and Kansas Cooperative Council encourage our industry family to join with us in expressing our condolences through a monetary contribution in their honor.
If you would like to donate, we ask that you send a check to either the Kansas Grain and Feed Association or Kansas Cooperative Council and mark “Atchison” on the memo line. We would like to receive contributions by close of business on December 27, 2011. Please mail check to either:
Kansas Grain & Feed Association Kansas Cooperative Council
Attn: Atchison Attn: Atchison
816 SW Tyler St. 1515 E. 30th Ave.
Topeka, KS 66612 Hutchinson, KS 67504
Once the donations have been collected, we will make a joint contribution from the KGFA and KCC membership on behalf of our entire industry. All of the funds received in this effort will be given equally to the victims’ families or to establish scholarships their honor.
2011 Expo draws over 1,000 to Overland Park November 23, 2011
The 2011 Kansas Agri Business Expo drew over 1,000 attendees last week to Overland Park, where the latest technology, products and services in the agribusiness industry were showcased in a sold-out tradeshow floor. In addition to the 140 vendor tradeshow, members attended educational sessions led by BNSF Railway President & COO, Carl Ice; National Pork Board VP of Strategic Communications, John Johnson; and EPA Region 7 Senior Advisor, Josh Svaty.
Thank you to the hundreds of exhibitors and sponsors that contributed to the success of this year’s show. Mark your calendars now for the 2012 Expo on November 14-15 in Wichita. Also, keep an eye out for the December issue of the Grain and Feed Report for a full report and photo spread on Expo activities.
Beware of fraudulent activity during busy fall season October 26, 2011
Last month, KGFA sent out an alert advising members to be on the lookout for a rogue trucker operating in northern Kansas. At the time of the alert, the driver had stolen a load of soybeans by portraying himself as representing 3-D Transportation, an Iowa trucking company and authorized by the buyer. The driver gave a fake driver's license and loading number and said his name was Bill White.
According to new information, it appears this rogue trucker has expanded his territory to include southern Kansas, as a load of wheat has been reported stolen. In this instance, the driver also gave a fake driver's license and loading number and said he worked for Kunz Transportation in Atlantic, Iowa. He said is name was Bob Gray.
In both cases, the driver was able to steal the loads because he did not have to show his actual driver's license; and the loading company did not record the truck license plate number or verify the loading number with the buyer.
KGFA has contacted the KBI to initiate an investigation; and has since then heard of similar instances in other surrounding states. Thus, KGFA strongly encourages its members to strengthen their loading policies this fall harvest season.
KGFA shares agribusiness story at Kansas farm bill hearing September 22, 2011
On Thursday, August 25 Senator Pat Roberts invited Senate Agriculture Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow to hold a farm bill hearing in Wichita, Kansas. The hearing featured three panels. The first panel highlighted Governor Sam Brownback and KSU President Dirk Schultz. The second panel focused on agricultural producers and the third panel had a host of representatives from conservation and agribusiness to nutrition and banking. Prior to the hearing Senator Roberts reached out to Kansas Grain and Feed Association to request an agribusiness representative for the panel. KGFA board member Bob Tempel of Windriver Grain represented the association at the request of Senator Roberts and had the unique opportunity to share the industry story and the synergies occurring in agriculture.
Throughout the hearing the verbal testimony highlighted the importance of the farm safety net and the need to preserve this net in the 2012 Bill. Key provisions of the bill were stressed by the panels including: funding for research, subsiding federal crop insurance and providing a free market without undo regulatory burden for businesses to thrive. KGFA Board member Bob Tempel said, “It was great to participate in our democratic process and share the agricultural story,” he further elaborated, “the farm bill is a complex piece of legislation with many facets that impact rural America, it is important for us to continue to share our story.”
As the 2012 Farm Bill is written, it will be dominated by the overarching Super Committee budget recommendations, changing agricultural demographics and trends and the need to cut federal spending. KGFA President, Tom Tunnell shared, “All federal programs are being scrutinized and the Farm Bill is going to be written in a difficult climate. KGFA was honored to participate in the process.”
KGFA files amicus brief on behalf of Kansas elevator
July 13, 2011
How can construction of a concrete grain silo in a rural community result in being charged for disturbing the peace and a public nuisance? While we believe our industry is a good steward and good neighbor, it appears some people think our presence or expansion of that presence is a nuisance and disturbs the peace.
Recently in a local community, the city brought charges against a grain elevator after they expanded their business. Even though the new construction met and even exceeded all of the noise and dust standards, the city pursued the case. The city court found the grain facility guilty on both counts, however the district court reversed the ruling and ruled in favor of the elevator and found the city ordinance was unconstitutionally vague.
The city has opted to appeal the district court ruling to the Kansas Court of Appeals. Both KGFA and the Kansas Cooperative Council have hired attorneys and have petitioned the court to allow the trade industry groups to file an amicus (friend of the court) brief. We are saddened that the city deemed it necessary to take this action; however we are and will continue to argue for common sense and sound science to prevail in these matters.
