U.S. Custom Harvesters, Inc. is seeking action on a bipartisan bill that reduces the regulatory burden on modern-day agriculture. This bill would eliminate an outdated regulation that requires custom harvesters, farmers and agribusinesses to obtain a hazardous material endorsement before transporting more than 118 gallons of diesel fuel.

Treated wastewater solids called biosolids are sometimes used by farmers to boost soil nutrient levels. Now research by a USDA scientist provides new information about how long those plant nutrients remain after biosolids have been applied to the soil.

Spring is almost here and most growers have started thinking about planting dates. Though planting corn early often results in higher yields, choosing the wrong planting date can have adverse effects on crop establishment.

USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service will provide up to $25 million in grants to help develop and demonstrate cutting-edge ideas to improve conservation on private lands. NRCS has extended the application deadline to March 22.

The fiscal cliff created the opportunity for a number of changes in the tax rules regulating when a farm must complete and file their annual income tax returns. For 2012, farm income tax returns have received a deadline extension from the normal March 1, 2013 date to file their tax returns without penalty, if they have not made estimates. With the tax deadline extended, farm producers now have until April 15, 2013 to file their tax returns without a penalty.

Two years of drought have forced adoption of new technology and management practices in crop irrigation, according to a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service specialist in Amarillo. Nich Kenny, AgriLife Extension irrigation specialist, said the key factor moving into the 2013 season will be for producers to concentrate on their irrigation management. “There are new water pumping regulations in place, and we are coming off two years of pretty significant drought,” Kenny said. “What that means is on two fronts, these guys are limited to how much water they have available.”

The National Corn Growers Association has announced that the enhanced Compliance Assurance Program, which includes on-farm refuge assessments, an online survey and IRM education and awareness, is seeing strong success and an increase in the number of growers planting their corn refuge.

Phosphorus in manure is a valuable resource for crop production when applied correctly and has proven to improve crop yield to higher levels than commercial fertilizer. In contrast, inappropriate use of animal manure has been reported to negatively impact the environment. It's important to understand the forms of phosphorus in manure and how manure interacts with soil before improved manure management strategies can be developed.

Herbicide-resistant weeds are becoming more of a problem, forcing growers to alter their weed-control programs. DuPont Pioneer agronomists say management decisions – such as improved herbicide choices, clean seedbeds and careful planning for harvest – can help decrease resistant weeds.

The 16th Annual Agricultural Technologies Conference, presented in cooperation by the Kansas Ag Research & Technology Association and K-State Research & Extension, was held Jan. 17-18 in Salina, Kansas. During the two-day conference, participants heard presentations on cutting-edge technologies as they relate to agriculture. More than 120 producers, retailers, exhibitors, researchers and students attended the annual event.