Electoral candidates take on ag issues

Sep 27, 2023

Agriculture representatives from four of Manitoba’s political parties traded promises and verbal jabs over the education property tax, rural health care and water policy when they met at a Sept. 12 election forum.

The Winnipeg event was organized by the Manitoba Farm Writers and Broadcasters. Candidates answered questions provided by Manitoba ag groups and had 45 seconds to respond on each topic.

Why it matters: Candidates are counting down the last few weeks before the Oct. 3 provincial election.

Education property tax, a priority set by Keystone Agriculture Producers, was first on the list. KAP wants to see continued phase-out of the tax from farm property and the development of an equitable education funding model.

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Video: Dicamba Returns for Georgia Farmers: What the New EPA Ruling Means for Cotton Growers

After being unavailable in 2024 due to registration issues, dicamba products are returning for Georgia farmers this growing season — but under strict new conditions.

In this report from Tifton, Extension Weed Specialist Stanley Culpepper explains the updated EPA ruling, including new application limits, mandatory training requirements, and the need for a restricted use pesticide license. Among the key changes: a cap of two ½-pound applications per year and the required use of an approved volatility reduction agent with every application.

For Georgia cotton producers, the ruling is significant. According to Taylor Sills with the Georgia Cotton Commission, the vast majority of cotton planted in the state carries the dicamba-tolerant trait — meaning farmers had been paying for technology they couldn’t use.

While environmental groups have expressed concerns over spray drift, Georgia growers have reduced off-target pesticide movement by more than 91% over the past decade. Still, this two-year registration period will come with increased scrutiny, making stewardship and compliance more important than ever.