Transportation survey results available
May 15, 2012
Thank you to all of the KGFA members that participated in the Regional Elevator Transportation Survey we mailed to you in February. This survey was designed to gather information needed to address the ongoing transportation management and investment decisions for elevators in our region. Your responses as an industry expert were important in understanding priorities and trends. Click here for a summary of results from the survey.
Grain Engulfment Rescue Training From the Kansas Fire & Rescue Training Institute, KUMay 15, 2012
The Kansas Fire & Rescue Training Institute, KU (KF&RTI) is pleased to announce that we are now taking requests for the Grain Engulfment Rescue training course. This 1-day (8-hour) course is made possible by a donation from the members of the Kansas Grain and Feed Association, the Kansas Cooperative Council and the Kansas Farmers Service Association. The project began some time ago and culminated with a donation last summer to construct a trailer and develop a curriculum for Grain Engulfment Rescue. The trailer is scheduled for delivery within the next few weeks; the curriculum has been written and the necessary equipment has been purchased. The remaining tasks are nearing completion and we are ready to begin taking training requests.
A few simple rules will govern the delivery of this training.
- Participants must be a Kansas firefighter or employed within the Kansas grain handling industry, or a member of one of the three sponsoring organizations (KGFA, KCC, and KFSA).
- Grain handling organizations and Kansas fire departments need to train together. Fire departments and local grain companies should make the commitment to train together and discuss jointly agreeable training dates/days/times prior to making a training request.
- Local grain facilities must provide grain for training. The trailer will pick the grain up at the facility and return it unharmed after the training. The trailer holds approximately 100-150 bushels of grain.
Training will be delivered at no cost under this unique program so long as the fire departments and local grain employees train together. For insurance purposes; participation of grain organization employees and firefighters MUST be authorized a job related assignment by their employer or fire department.
Due to the expected demand for this training, we are announcing three initial delivery periods. We will begin taking requests immediately for all three periods. Dates for the courses will be confirmed by the dates listed beside each period below.
| Training Period | Request Date | Confirmation from KF&RTI |
| July 15-September 30, 2012 | June 1, 2012 | June 30, 2012 |
| October 1-November 30, 2012 | August 30, 2012 | September 15, 2012 |
| December 1-January 30, 2012 | November 1, 2012 | November 15, 2012 |
Requests for delivery after these posted periods will be taken at any time. Confirmation of the period beginning in February, 2013 will be confirmed by early to mid-January, 2013.
Please contact the KF&RTI to place your request or for more information and questions. Feel free to visit our web site for an overview of this program.
To request a class: Phone: 866-804-8841 (toll free) or email: kufire@ku.edu. Please have the following information available when requesting a class (or include in an email):
- Date(s) Requested: Please give us your preferred date plus a range of approximately 2 weeks that will work for you. Due to the expected demand for this class, we may need to adjust the schedule to sequence travel and trailer movement. We will contact you to confirm final delivery dates prior to finalize the schedule.
- Preferred Schedule: Tell us your preference of day of the week, times of day (daytime or evening). We offer training seven days a week and in a daytime or evening format. If you are requesting an evening class, please note it will take two consecutive days to complete the training.
- Number of students: How many students (firefighters & grain organization employees). If you have more than 35 potential students, we may need to break the class into two separate classes.
- Confirm Grain Use: Please confirm with the local grain organization that they will provide 100-150 bushels of grain for the class.
Farmway dismissed of charges May 1, 2012
Last month, the Kansas Court of Appeals affirmed the trial court’s dismissal of the charges brought against Farmway Coop by the city of Lincoln Center. Lincoln Center now has until May 14 to appeal the decision to the Kansas Supreme Court.
Last year, Lincoln Center filed charges against KGFA member, Farmway Coop, claiming they violated city noise and dust ordinances. The city court found the elevator guilty of these charges, but the decision was later overturned by a district court that found the ordinances unconstitutional.
When Lincoln Center appealed the decision to the Kansas Court of Appeals, KGFA felt it necessary to hire attorneys to submit an amicus brief, or friend of the court, on behalf of Farmway to offer additional comments that may help prevent a decision that would put the entire industry at risk in the future.
Click here to read the thank you letter submitted to KGFA by Farmway.
Sorghum odor reference sample update May 1, 2012
Sorghum odor reference samples (for musty storage odor) should be available for distribution early this month. A total of 52 samples are expected to be distributed to official agencies and for use by the Federal Grain Inspection Service. These samples are a chemical compound added to at least one year old sorghum. The samples have a three month shelf life and must be used at room temperature. The KGFA board and Kansas Grain Inspection Service have both been involved in providing feedback during the development of these reference samples.
Weather conditions favorable for Wheat Army Headworm
May 1, 2012
The Kansas grain industry should be aware of insect damaged kernels (IDK) due to Wheat Army Headworm in this year’s wheat crop. Current weather conditions are favorable for Wheat Army Headworm. Field IDK is a grading factor with a tolerance of 31 insect damaged kernels in a 100 gram sample. Here is a KSU publication for more information on Wheat Army Headworm.
http://www.entomology.ksu.edu/p.aspx?tabindex=217&tabid=503.
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 grantsJanuary 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.
