Category Archives: Farm Insurance

What to do, or not do, when reporting an insurance claim

If and when you have an insurance claim to report, you should inform your insurance agent of its occurrence as soon as possible, even if you called the claim in direct to the insurance company.  Reporting direct is not only accepted today, it is encouraged by many insurance companies and agents, including this writer, IF… Read More: What to do, or not do, when reporting an insurance… »

Property Insurance Rates to Rise in 2018

North American commercial property insurance rates could see a spike in 2018 for properties that suffered catastrophe property losses in 2017; this according to a report by Willis Towers Watson [WTS], a leading global insurance advisor, broker and solutions company. The commercial property insurance market has been soft for the last several years – due… Read More: Property Insurance Rates to Rise in 2018 »

Ammonium Nitrate Security Statutes and Regulations

Section 563 of the 2008 Consolidated Appropriations Act, Subtitle J, Secure Handling of Ammonium Nitrate (“Section 563”), Public Law 110–161 (PDF, 614 pages – 1.7 MB), amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002. The amendment requires the Department to “regulate the sale and transfer of ammonium nitrate by an ammonium nitrate facility … to prevent… Read More: Ammonium Nitrate Security Statutes and Regulations »

U.S. Dept of Homeland Security Notice of Proposed Rulemaking: Secure Handling of Ammonium Nitrate

This Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) seeks comment on a recent amendment to the Homeland Security Act entitled the Secure Handling of Ammonium Nitrate.  The amendment requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS or Department) to ‘‘regulate the sale and transfer of ammonium nitrate by an ammonium nitrate facility to prevent the misappropriation or use… Read More: U.S. Dept of Homeland Security Notice of Proposed Rulemaking: Secure… »

U.S. Dept of Labor – OSHA – Guidance on the Ammonium Nitrate Storage Requirements in 29 CFR 1910.109(i)

On October 9, 2013, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) cited the Adair Grain Company (dba West Fertilizer Company) following the April 17, 2013, explosion that killed 15.  The citations included violations related to hazards associated with improper storage of ammonium nitrate under 29 CFR 1910.109(i).  This memorandum provides investigatory and citation guidance to… Read More: U.S. Dept of Labor – OSHA – Guidance on the… »

National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Code 490 – For the Storage of Ammonium Nitrate

NFPA 490 was developed by the Technical Committee on Storage, Handling, and Transportation of Hazardous Chemicals and was tentatively adopted by the Association in 1963. It was further  amended and again tentatively adopted in 1964. After further revision, it was officially adopted in 1965. Amendments to NFPA 490 were adopted in 1967, 1969, and 1970.… Read More: National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Code 490 – For the… »

Iowa Department of Agricultural: On Farm Fertilizer Storage

Iowa farmers must follow all laws and rules regarding secondary containment, loading and unloading of liquid and non-liquid bulk fertilizers and placement restrictions of Anhydrous Ammonia storage locations.  As a result, the following regulations apply: Bulk Dry Fertilizers Fertilizers can be offloaded directly onto the applicator in the field of application, Bulk dry fertilizers must… Read More: Iowa Department of Agricultural: On Farm Fertilizer Storage »

ISU Drought Meetings

The drought conditions are causing major concerns for both crop and livestock producers. To help address those concerns, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach will be hosting six free drought meetings at the following locations. Meeting topics include crop growth and development under drought conditions covered, discussion on feeding drought damaged crops, including issues with… Read More: ISU Drought Meetings »

FDA Final Rule on Preventive Controls for Animal Food

The FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Preventive Controls for Animal Food rule is now final, and compliance dates for some businesses begin in September 2016. This final rule is the product of an unprecedented level of outreach by the FDA to industry, consumer groups, the agency’s federal, state, local and tribal regulatory counterparts, academia… Read More: FDA Final Rule on Preventive Controls for Animal Food »

Understanding FDA’s New Livestock ‘Antibiotic Rules’ for 2017

New Food and Drug Administration rules mandate that feed and water antibiotic used for livestock after Jan. 1, 2017 will require veterinarian oversight. In short, this means that picking up 50-pound bags of feed antibiotic additive, or half-pound packages of water soluble antibiotic additives will not be a spur of the moment action anymore, but… Read More: Understanding FDA’s New Livestock ‘Antibiotic Rules’ for 2017 »