In what is considered to be a win for rural Americans, the EPA says that it will revise diesel exhaust fluid guidelines.
Farmers say it is a common-sense approach to diesel engines.
EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin made the announcement at the Iowa State Fair, where he called on manufacturers to take action to update their software and eliminate the unnecessary sudden loss of power that many had complained of.
It is estimated that the change will save family farms alone an estimated $727 million a year.
The American Farm Bureau Federation is celebrating the decision. AFBF President Zippy Duvall thanked EPA for their common-sense approach:
“When a vehicle runs out of DEF or there is an error in the software, it loses power, causing delays that could be the difference between getting a crop harvested or animals to their destination. EPA’s decision to grant a grace period to make repairs or refill DEF is the right thing to do.”
As cattle producers continue to navigate labor constraints and rising production demands, innovation in handling systems will remain a key driver of the industry’s long-term efficiency and safety goals.
Steven McBee Jr. of McBee Farm & Cattle Company joins us to discuss the family farm crisis, producer mental health, cattle industry challenges, farmland preservation, and the role of agriculture in popular media.
Oklahoma State University extension specialist Todd Hubbs joins us for an update on wheat harvest conditions in his state and the key factors shaping marketing decisions.
Laura Priest with the Center for Rural Affairs joins us to discuss solar development trends and opportunities for agriculture and renewable energy production to coexist.
Kansas farmer and friend of RFD-TV John Jenkinson joins us to discuss wheat crop conditions, regional variability, producer financial concerns, and the outlook for the growing season across Kansas.
South Texas ranchers and vets warn that labor pressures will make monitoring for New World screwworm difficult across large cattle operations.