Deadline Extension of PositiveTrain Control Implementation

Last week the Surface Transportation Reauthorization and Reform Act of 2015 was passed in the House, included in this legislation was a critically important extension for the Positive Train Control implementation deadline. This extension moved from the end of this year until December 2018 at the earliest brings relief from feared rail shut downs that would have slowed shipments of farm inputs such as fertilizer and delayed grain shipments. American Farm Bureau's Andre Walmsley says those delays would have significantly harmed agriculture.

Walmsley: Without the extension of the PTC deadline, fertilizer production would have been the first impact noticeable to agriculture. If those railcars would have been embargoed by the railroads, those fertilizer plants would have been forced to shut down. There would have been dire effects to agriculture from a fertilizer standpoint."

In other news beginning today eligible farmers and ranchers will receive their Farm Service Agency ballots in the mail for their County FSA Elections. Be sure you vote for who might best represent you on this valuable committee. Ballots must be turned into your local FSA office by December 7th.

And finally Congratulations to Washington's LaCrosse three-student Marketing Plan Team that won at the National FFA Convention in Louisville with their presentation of their plan for Dixon Land and Livestock to improve and grow its annual Club Calf Sale in Pomeroy. Way to Go!