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The selection committee for the Tomorrow’s Agribusiness Leaders (TAL) program met in early-December to review applications and select five members of the Kansas Agribusiness Retailers Association and five members of the Kansas Grain and Feed Association to comprise the 25th class of agribusiness’ premier leadership development course. The selection committee of TAL alumni chose: Andrew Breese (Kansas Grain Inspection Service); Todd Dingler (ProValue Insurance); Jeff Ellis (Syngenta); Brandi Hartley (Farmers Coop Equity at Isabel); Blake Malcolm (AgMark LLC); Jed Miller (Ag Partners Cooperative Inc.); Kent Nichols (MKC); Todd Schultz (Producer Ag, LLC); Jack Vincent (The Scoular Company); and Ed Zahn (Heartland Ag...

Materials, including the video recording and slide presentation, are now available from Kansas Grain and Feed Association's co-hosted virtual meeting with the Kansas Cooperative Council featuring Jarrod Kieffer of Stinson LLP discussing strategies to reduce your property taxes. VIEW SLIDES WATCH WEBINAR Jarrod Kieffer can be reached through the information below: Jarrod Kieffer PartnerSTINSON LLP1625 N. Waterfront Parkway, Suite 300Wichita, KS 67206-6620Direct: 316.268.7946 \ Bio LEARN MORE ABOUT JARROD KIEFFER Representing both taxpayers and taxing jurisdictions, Jarrod guides his clients through every step of the property tax process. He focuses on issues relating to real and personal property valuation and classification, value equalization,...

Kansas Grain and Feed Association is pleased to co-host a FREE virtual meeting with the Kansas Cooperative Council featuring Jarrod Kieffer of Stinson LLP on Friday, Dec. 9, 2022. Kieffer is scheduled to discuss the Kansas Supreme Court's decision in late-October which led to clear guidance to county appraisers that, under Kansas law, grain elevator commercial and industrial machinery and equipment should be appropriately classified as personal property and not a fixture to the realty. And, if installed after 2006, that machinery and equipment is exempt from ad valorem property taxation. This timely discussion will also review strategies...

With a potential rail strike still on the horizon, Kansas Grain and Feed Association signed a letter coordinated by GoRail to request congress take action averting a nationwide shutdown. On Nov. 9, two rail labor unions extended their "status quo" period to Dec. 4, pushing the potential for a strike back to Dec. 9 at the earliest. To date, seven labor unions have ratified agreements based on the recommendations of the Presidential Emergency Board appointed by President Biden, while three other ratification votes are pending. ...

Previously a co-signer of broad coalition letters, as agreements have continued to stall and the November 19 deadline for a rail strike/lockout quickly approaches, Kansas Grain and Feed Association joined a letter consisting of national and state agribusiness organizations requesting action from congress. "On behalf of our collective food and agricultural memberships, we write to urge swift action to avert a rail strike or lockout that would lead to shutdowns or slowdowns of rail-dependent facilities resulting in devastating consequences to our national and global food security," the letter said. The letter recommends congress either order both sides to accept...

Kansas Grain and Feed Association is pleased to learn the Kansas Supreme Court has denied Gray County's petition for review of the late-July Kansas Court of Appeals decision in the Dodge City Cooperative Exchange v Board of County Commissioners of Gray County, Kansas case. This decision represents a considerable win for the Kansas grain industry. It stands as clear guidance to county appraisers that, under Kansas law, grain elevator commercial and industrial machinery and equipment should be appropriately classified as personal property and not a fixture to the realty. And, if installed after 2006, that machinery and equipment is...

Kansas Grain and Feed Association has joined more than 100 state and national level organizations in signing a letter urging President Joe Biden's administration to continue working with the railroads and union officials to ensure an agreed-upon mid-September rail labor contract is ratified. To date, six of the 12 unions have ratified the agreement, however, there are concerns a strike could still take place which would have devastating consequences on the economy. Many major news organizations have published reports detailing the potential strike in November. Links to stories are below. Railroads reject sick time demands, raising chance of strike...

Following hours of negotiation into the early morning, a tentative agreement has been made between railroads and rail union representatives preventing a nationwide rail shutdown ahead of Friday's 12:01 a.m., deadline. "We appreciate and want to acknowledge all of our members who contacted our congressional delegation and helped portray the importance of an operational rail network and the dire consequences our membership would have faced during a shutdown," KGFA President and CEO Ron Seeber said. "We are thankful the railroad and its unions were able to reach an agreement...

Kansas Grain and Feed Association joined more than 100 other organizations in signing and sending a letter on Sept. 15 to congressional leaders requesting action be taken to avoid a rail strike. A copy of the letter is available to view below. Although KGFA and other groups prefer a resolution be reached by the negotiating parties, if an agreement can't be made, the letter addressed to United States Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky), Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-California) and House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) urges congress...

As you are aware, railroads and rail labor have until 12:01 a.m., on Sept. 16 to reach an agreement preventing a lockout or strike after the Presidential Emergency Board published a proposed settlement on Aug. 17. Kansas Grain and Feed Association is working with its national affiliate organizations as well as the Kansas Congressional Delegation to find solutions to the impending rail labor strike. As this deadline approaches, there is no agreement yet in place. Class I railroads announced recently they would begin curtailing shipments of hazardous materials in anticipation of a possible strike. It is now being reported that...

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