By Blake Jackson
The Kentucky Corn Growers Association (KYCGA) and the Kentucky Small Grain Growers Association (KYSGGA) have submitted comments to the USDA, offering feedback on the Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) guidelines on behalf of Kentucky’s 6,000 grain growers.
Both associations support sustainable agricultural practices, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions, increasing low-carbon biofuel feedstocks, and enhancing soil carbon sequestration. They also commend the USDA for improving the CSA pilot program's guidance in April 2024.
Kentucky grain producers are already adopting CSA practices at a higher rate than the national average, with nearly 64% using no-till and 11% using cover crops. Nationally, only 38% use no-till and 6.5% use cover crops.
“As we work towards expanding sustainability in agriculture, it’s essential that the guidelines reflect the realities of farming," said KYCGA President Josh Lancaster. "By supporting policies that reduce time and cost burdens on farmers, and creating systems that fairly allocate carbon reduction value, we are not only helping Kentucky’s farmers but also contributing to the long-term health of the agricultural industry and the environment.”
“Kentucky’s grain producers are already leading the way in adopting CSA practices, and we’re committed to continuing that progress," said KYSGGA President Neil Denton. "By refining the guidelines to allow for practical adjustments, we can ensure that farmers remain at the forefront of sustainable agricultural practices while strengthening the supply chain.”
The associations proposed several guideline modifications. They requested the removal of restrictions on mechanically harvesting, grazing, or fertilizing cover crops.
They also suggested adjustments to nitrogen use guidelines, including extending the time frame between nitrogen application and planting to account for weather delays, and refining rules for split-season nitrogen applications and nitrification inhibitors.
Regarding no-till guidelines, they recommended changing the requirement from four out of five years to four out of five crops.
To reduce burdens on farmers and the supply chain, they suggested a standardized biofuel feedstock report, developed with input from industry groups, and a transition to a book-and-claim system.
Finally, they recommended adding a calculation to the FD-CIC calculator to estimate carbon reduction, enabling fair value negotiation between farmers and biofuel producers.
These recommendations aim to incentivize sustainable practices, reduce compliance burdens, and enhance participation in carbon reduction programs, ultimately lowering the carbon intensity of U.S. grain crops and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-dale-fornoff
Categories: Kentucky, Business, Government & Policy