Former AED Chairman Urges Senate to Reconsider Broad Approach to Right to Repair

Oct 17, 2024

According to a news release from the American Equipment Distributors (AED), Craig Drury, vice president of operations at Vermeer Canada, and Associated Equipment Distributors (AED) 2021 chairman, testified on behalf of the association before the Senate of Canada’s Banking, Commerce and the Economy Committee during an Oct. 9 hearing on Bill C-244, an Act to amend the Copyright Act (diagnosis, maintenance and repair).

Drury explained to the committee that equipment industry customers currently have the right to repair and dealers make available diagnostic tools, repair information, parts, and remote customer support.“Idle equipment means lost time and money, so it's in our best interest to keep machines running—whether that’s through our service technicians, the customer, or third-party providers.” Drury said. “Nearly every repair can be completed by the customer or an independent repair company without needing a dealer service technician.”

Click here to see more...

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.