December 16, 2022 — If you managed a group viewing session for MABA’s December Credit Sessions and would like to submit RUP credit verification for your group, please follow these instructions.
1. Download the form available here.
2. For each session, input the information for each individual who attended.
3. Note on the form the email address of the person who signed into the session and registered for the Winter Conference.
4. Email the completed form to kara@miagbiz.org. We will review it and submit it to MDARD.
You can also view an individual reporting tool here. You are welcome to fill this out for each of your attendees if you wish. The above spreadsheet is designed to give you an option to make larger-group reporting a little easier.
If you have questions, contact any member of the MABA staff. Thank you for attending our event!
Rail network shutdown would be catastrophic for Michigan businesses
LANSING, Mich. – Leaders of trade organizations representing hundreds of Michigan businesses today called on Congress to intervene in the rail labor dispute that threatens to shut down America’s freight rail network in early December.
“A rail strike would be devastating for Michigan’s economy and cannot be allowed to occur,” said Chuck Lippstreu, president of the Michigan Agri-Business Association. “Michigan agriculture is a leading economic engine for our state, pumping more than $100 billion into our economy every year. Rural businesses depend on rail to move grain, fertilizer and many other products. A rail strike would pile on to existing logistics challenges in our industry and snarl the agricultural supply chain.”
“Rail service is essential to the transportation of chemicals key to manufacturers of all kinds, as well as water treatment, refining and electricity generation,” said John Dulmes, executive director of the Michigan Chemistry Council. “The business of chemistry would be among the first impacted, and hardest-hit, in the event of a rail network shutdown, and we are counting on Congress to act.”
In September, the Biden administration helped broker tentative contract agreements between major rail carriers and their labor unions. Unfortunately, these agreements have been rejected by several unions. The ‘status quo’ period where unions have agreed to continue working ends Friday, Dec. 9. With no work agreement and no Congressional action, a strike would begin. Certain commodities shipped by rail could start to be embargoed as soon as this weekend.
President Joe Biden yesterday called for Congress to intervene and approve the contract agreements reached in September.
Dulmes said chemical manufacturers in Michigan rely on regular rail shipments to operate and would face potential disruptions within days of a strike. Chemicals transported by rail support industries – including automotive, semiconductor and steel production – accounting for 4% of GDP. Freight rail is also needed to deliver essential services to people across Michigan, particularly for chlorine and other water treatment chemicals.
A rail strike would also be a major disruption for rural Michigan, Lippstreu noted, with grain and fertilizer transportation, and access to export markets of particular concern. A wide range of Michigan-grown products are sent by rail to markets across the nation and to export terminals. Additionally, Michigan farm supply retailers depend on rail service for fertilizer shipments, and a rail strike would further tangle fertilizer supply chains that have faced historic disruption in recent years.
A rail strike would amplify existing rail service problems faced by Michigan and U.S. businesses that primarily stem from national ‘Class I’ freight rail carriers. These rail service disruptions were recently termed a “service meltdown” by the chairman of the U.S. Surface Transportation Board.
“Our industries and many others need reliable, timely rail transportation service, and this threat of a rail strike is the latest potential disruption faced by Michigan businesses,” said Dulmes. “Long-term reforms are still needed to ensure the viability of freight rail, but a rail strike would be a huge setback and greatly amplify existing problems in the network. We are counting on Congress to act without delay and avert such a disruption.”
# # #
About the Michigan Agri-Business Association: The Michigan Agri-Business Association serves as a strong advocate and dedicated resource for Michigan’s food and agriculture sector. The Association’s 300 members span the agricultural value chain. They include retailers that provide seed, fertilizer, crop protection and technology to farmers; businesses that handle and export grain; animal feed suppliers; food processors; logistics companies and beyond. Learn more at www.miagbiz.org.
About the Michigan Chemistry Council: The Michigan Chemistry Council, established in 1967, represents Michigan’s chemical manufacturers, formulators and distributors. Chemistry is one of Michigan’s largest manufacturing sectors, supporting more than 80,000 Michigan jobs and directly impacting more than 96% of all manufactured goods. Chemical products are one of the leading categories of freight rail moved in Michigan. Learn more at www.michiganchemistry.com.
October 21, 2022 – Throughout October, the Michigan Agri-Business Association (MABA) has weighed in with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on two critical reviews the agency has undertaken regarding agricultural technology. MABA’s formal comments to the EPA support our members’ efforts to feed and fuel America using safe, approved agricultural technology.
First, in early October MABA joined more than 16,000 U.S. farmers and agribusiness organizations in expressing deep concern on EPA’s proposal to restrict Atrazine use. If enacted, this misguided proposal would effectively take Atrazine off the table for many growers and their ag retail advisors.
MABA President Chuck Lippstreu wrote, “Atrazine is a critical tool used safely by Michigan farmers to control weeds, while safeguarding the future of the environment through sound conservation practices. It represents one of the most cost-effective, safest products available in this regard. Unfortunately, the EPA’s proposal disregards these facts, fails to follow the advice of the agency’s own Scientific Advisory Panel, and if enacted will result in substantial economic harm for Michigan.” Read the MABA comment here.
Many other Michigan interests expressed concern with this proposal, including the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (comment available here) and Michigan Corn (comment available here.)
In addition, last week MABA submitted a comment of support for the reregistration of dicamba as the EPA undertakes its standard, periodic 15 year assessment. You can read the comment here.
We continue to work with partner organizations in Michigan and across America to safeguard our industry’s continued use of safe, proven, effective crop protection technology.
LANSING, MI (September 21, 2022) – The Michigan Agri-Business Association and a range of farm and biofuel advocates testified before the Michigan Tax Policy Committee on Senate-approved legislation that would expand access to lower-cost fuel blends produced with renewable energy from Michigan farms. SB 814 would offer qualifying retailers a tax credit for every gallon sold of higher ethanol blends, including $0.05 per gallon of E15 and $0.085 per gallon of E85.
“One way to help deliver families and small businesses some relief at the pump is to shift from standard E10 gasoline – blended with 10% biofuels – to E15, a renewable fuel blend made with 15% biofuel,” said Chuck Lippstreu, president of Michigan Agri-Business Association, during his testimony at today’s hearing. “These fuels are made here in Michigan, using corn produced by Michigan farmers.”
“If stations across Michigan made a full shift to E15, it would add nearly $530 million in Gross Domestic Product to Michigan’s economy and save millions of dollars in fuel costs for families and businesses. That’s not just money back in families’ pockets statewide, it’s economic development for agriculture – funds that will support farm families and the many employees at our member companies who help plant, care for, harvest, and transport crops,” added Lippstreu.
Supporters of the bill include the Michigan Corn Growers Association, Michigan Farmers Union, Michigan Agri-Business Association, Clean Fuels Michigan, Michigan Farm Bureau, POET, Growth Energy, and other leaders in clean energy and agriculture. Earlier this year, supporters sent a letter encouraging House and Senate leaders to move forward on the bill in light of surging gasoline costs.
© 2024 Michigan Agri-Business Association - All rights reserved.
