September 4, 2008

to be held at the Ag Information Center - Nevada, IA
        
The University of Illinois Great Lakes Center for Occupational & Environmental Safety & Health, the University of Iowa Great Plains Center for Agricultural Health, Carle Center for Rural Health & Farm Safety and the Agribusiness Association of Iowa is offering a one day Confined Space Entry Training for those who manage or work in Agricultural Facilities – Grain Bins, Silos, Livestock Animal Waste Storage Facilities. 

Download registration form and complete information here.

A recent article in The Des Moines Register newspaper has caused considerable controversy regarding nitrogen in Iowa streams and rivers.  John Sawyer, an Iowa State University associate professor of agronomy has written three articles that highlight the inaccuracies found in The Des Moines Register article and gives further information on exactly what these chemicals are and the implications they can create.  
 
The first article, Surface Waters: Ammonium is not Ammonia explains the difference between ammonium and ammonia, the relationship between the two nitrogen forms and the implication of a combined (ammonium-N plus ammonia-N) analysis related to water quality criteria for aquatic life.   (Download:  part 1)
 
Part two of this series of articles focuses on the implication of ammonia and ammonium for chlorination of drinking water.  (Download: part 2)
 
Part three, the final article in the series, concentrates on the potential sourcing of ammonium and ammonia in surface waters.  (Download: part 3 )

In this day and age you never know when or where a new safety concern may pop up.  Thanks to the innovation of those wonderful meth heads we now have a reason to worry about our family cookouts.

Meth cooks are getting the propane tanks from the exchanges at Wal-Mart, Kroger, etc. and emptying them of the propane.  Then, they are filling them with anhydrous ammonia (which they now have a recipe for by the way). After they are finished with them, they return them to the store.  They are then refilled with propane and sent back for you and me to buy.  
 
Anhydrous ammonia is very corrosive and weakens the structure of the tank.  It can be very dangerous when mixed with propane and hooked up to our grills, etc.  You should inspect the propane tank for any blue or greenish residue around the valve areas.  If it is present, refuse to purchase that one.'  
 
For more information please go to the National Propane Gas Association’s website at:  
http://www.npga.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=529

AAI EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES 

The Agribusiness Association of Iowa strives to provide relevant educational opportunities to our members.  This summer, we have some excellent educational seminars we would like to offer you.