The Senate voted 72-28 Feb. 13 to confirm Brooke L. Rollins as the new Secretary of Agriculture.

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed the Protect Small Business from Excessive Paperwork Act, H.R. 736, in a bipartisan vote.

The bipartisan bill aims to provide greater flexibility for individuals pursuing careers that require professional certifications.

The White House has announced a new round of tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico, and China, originally set to take effect February 4.

A study published in Nature reveals worsening water scarcity in key agricultural regions across China, India and the United States.

Manufacturers are urging Congress to act quickly to restore tax provisions and ensure long-term economic growth.

ARC and PLC provide financial protection against significant drops in crop prices or revenues.

Fordyce, a Missouri farmer and former Farm Service Agency Administrator, brings extensive experience to the role.

The 119th Congress convened January 3, ushering in a session marked by slim Republican control of both the House and Senate.

Farmers will be required to follow the guidelines set by the EPD as they apply for permits to access groundwater resources.

The project will also include an outreach component, sharing findings through webinars and direct engagement with farmers to spur adoption.

When flows are modeled based on drought conditions similar to those from 2000 to 2020, the report finds water resource recovery possible.

Projects include initiatives to reduce methane emissions, restore native grasslands and conserve water resources in drought-affected areas.

The Irrigation Association, Fairfax, Virginia has announced the addition of four new members to its Board of Directors.

Key provisions include groundwater districts conserving at least 205,000 acre-feet of water annually.

The letter, released ahead of the election results, emphasizes the importance of national unity and the role of manufacturing.

Led by industry advocates, the webinar will explore the evolving congressional landscape and the administration’s policy priorities.

Below is an overview of what irrigation professionals can expect legislators to prioritize as we move into 2025. 

In 2023, farmers spent $3 billion on irrigation equipment and infrastructure, with energy costs reaching $3.3 billion for water pumping.  

Throughout the show, attendees had access to 30 IA University courses, including five new courses covering irrigation principles.

The presentation will draw from insights featured on the “Water We Talking About” podcast, which highlights figures from across the industry.

This is a short update — because there is still no farm bill.

The funding, part of the Ogallala Aquifer and Platte River Recovery Project, aims to help farmers improve water quality and efficiency in their operations.

The agreements are part of the Lower Basin System Conservation and Efficiency Program, which utilizes funding from the IRA.

The 45-minute session will feature a team from the USDA’s NASS, who will present key insights from the survey results. 

The session will highlight AI tools that can automate routine tasks, improve decision-making and enhance operational efficiency.

The federal government came to a short-term spending agreement Sept. 23.  

Governor Kelly initially tasked the KWA with developing this plan to address aquifer depletion, reservoir sustainability and water quality.

Applications for the 2025 Smart Water Application Technologies awards will open in early 2025. 

The panel will explore how companies are adapting their workforce strategies to ensure that no one is overlooked.

Giuffrè founded Irritec SpA in Italy in 1974 and has grown it into a global leader in irrigation innovation and sustainability.

Created by experts from the University of Minnesota, Michigan State, and the PSA, the tool lets farmers quickly assess hazards.

In a letter addressed to U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, a coalition of associations urges a one-year postponement of the Act’s requirements, citing concerns over the impact on small businesses.

In this Q&A, Goorahoo shares insights into his journey, the rewards of his work and his vision for the future of irrigation education. 

The feedback will help the NRCS determine the next steps in implementing the act, which could include developing new regulations or guidelines.

This pilot program is initially available to a select group of cotton growers in Missouri, Tennessee, Arkansas and Mississippi. 

The report highlights the importance of planning for future demand as new industrial developments may increase the need for water.

One such committee change will come from the Senate ag committee since Senator Debbie Stabenow, D-Michigan, is retiring. 

The move is part of an unprecedented agreement that will reduce water flow to hundreds of farm fields for up to 60 days this year.

Employers must ensure that their WVPP includes procedures for identifying and correcting workplace violence hazards.

Farm bill faces scrutiny after the CBO released its cost estimate, projecting the proposed legislation could increase the deficit by billions.

The 2024 Vanguard Award has been awarded to Valley Irrigation’s Goldcrest Farms project.

The letter argues that this provision would force contractors to disclose trade secrets and enforce pricing controls on repair materials.

In 2023, taxpayers paid farmers and ranchers $16 million to reduce their water usage in the Colorado River Basin.

The coalition also urges the bureau to clarify the definition of “minor” in existing exclusions for operations and maintenance activities.

Each July, the IA spearheads Smart Irrigation Month which highlights the social, economic and environmental benefits of efficient irrigation.

The 6-3 ruling concluded that the judiciary alone holds the authority to interpret ambiguous federal laws.

NASS appointed Joseph Parsons as its new administrator effective June 16. This appointment comes after the retirement of Hubert Hamer. 

The program includes compensating growers with cash in exchange for temporarily shutting off water to their fields for up to two months.

The goal of WATA is to provide practical solutions to enhance water efficiency in agricultural practices.

Directors are elected to three-year terms and work to establish the association’s strategic direction, policies and programs.

The layoffs affect two factories in Iowa and one in Moline, Illinois, with 280 employees being laid off in Moline on Aug. 30 and 310 in Iowa. 

The submission deadline is Aug. 30, and applicants will be notified of their proposal status by Sept. 16. 

With an international career spanning decades, McCornick has focused on the sustainable management of water resources.

Each July, the IA spearheads Smart Irrigation Month which highlights the social, economic and environmental benefits of efficient irrigation.

Achieving a bipartisan agreement is essential as the 2024 Farm Bill faces significant legislative hurdles.

While federal regulations regarding working in extreme heat are in the works, some states have already taken action.

The program awards competitive grants to accelerate the adoption of voluntary conservation practices and regenerative agriculture principles.

The scholarships range from $1,000 to $3,000 and were awarded to students who have shown a passion and interest in sustainability.

The research will focus on developing, studying and expanding the climate-smart agriculture transition in specific crop sourcing regions. 

Lindsay has signed a supply agreement to provide irrigation systems and remote management and scheduling technology in the MENA region.

Dennis Falaschi, a former head of the Panoche Water District, has pleaded guilty to conspiring to steal water and filing a false tax return.

A coalition, including the Irrigation Association, urges USDA’s NRCS to simplify and maintain key irrigation practices on Climate-Smart list.

The decision supplements the 2007 Interim Guidelines to address continued low runoff conditions in the Colorado River Basin. 

Smart Irrigation Month, sponsored by HydroPoint, will emphasize the importance of efficient irrigation in conserving water.

The projects will improve irrigation efficiency, support habitats for endangered species and benefit communities.

Nathan Bowen, advocacy and public affairs vice president for the Irrigation Association, voiced concerns about the bill’s implications.

The report covers the role AI plays in manufacturing, highlighting how manufacturers utilize AI as consumers, developers and deployers.

The legislative journey towards a balanced and effective farm bill has been fraught with challenges and steeped in strategic negotiations.

The CTA requires small businesses with 20 or fewer employees or $5 million or less in revenues to report beneficial owners to the FinCEN.

The H-2A protections include ensuring fair wages, safe working conditions and providing a framework for better monitoring and enforcement.

This is the second year of funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, with $38.4 million distributed so far. 

EQIP focuses on practices that enhance carbon sequestration, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, conserve energy and improve soil health.  

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced an investment of $1.5 billion for fiscal year 2024 under the RCPP.

A coalition of commodity groups has united to press the U.S. Senate to pass the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024.

For this funding cycle, the NWQI will target four priority Hydrologic Unit Code-12 watershed areas in Texas.

As of now, the farm bill has been granted an extension through September 2024 amid ongoing negotiations that could reshape its future provisions.  

Other sectors such as leisure, hospitality, and other services, also showed positive trends, contributing to the overall employment growth.

Topics of discussion at the 2024 fly in included the farm bill, business policy and guest worker programs. 

The USDA unveiled the Working Lands Climate Corps, an initiative under President Joe Biden’s American Climate Corps.

The FCC has announced the launch of a voluntary cybersecurity labeling program designed to enhance the security of wireless IoT products.  

The legislation seeks a delay of the filing deadline, aiming to provide small businesses additional time to understand the requirements.

Bisconer has served on the IA Board since 2018 and took over for Randy Wood, who served as the 2023 IA president. 

In terms of cash receipts, the total is anticipated to drop by 4.2% to $485.5 billion in 2024, with declines in both crop and animal product receipts.

The results reveal a 7% decline in the total number of U.S. farms since 2017, alongside an increase in new and beginning producers.

The SEIS outlines a plan developed in collaboration with the seven Basin states to conserve at least 3 million acre-feet of water.

In a decision by the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama the CTA has been declared unconstitutional.

Congress will vote on a $435 billion spending package on Feb. 28 that will keep portions of the government funded through the fiscal year.

The GAO released a report, “Precision Agriculture: Benefits, Challenges, and Policy Options,” examining the state of precision agriculture.

The University of Nebraska’s Testing Ag Performance Solutions program concluded its seventh year with an awards banquet on Jan. 13. 

The 2022 census reports an increase in the number of establishments with paid employees, rising to over 8 million.

Adjustments to the rule aim to help USCIS cover operational costs and improve application processing times. 

The rule revises DOL’s guidance on how to analyze who is an employee or independent contractor under the Fair Labor Standards Act.

The CTA is designed to prevent the misuse of shell companies and opaque ownership structures by malicious actors.

The task force is a federal advisory committee established in consultation with the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture.

The Irrigation Association, Fairfax, Virginia, endorsed the bill before its introduction through supportive action in November.

Two recently published studies from Nebraska provide insights into sustainable water and agricultural management.  

The latest edition of “America's Farms and Ranches at a Glance: 2023” was released in December 2023.

The 2024 Equip Exposition, owned and managed by the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute, will bring several new offerings to the 2024 event.