News
The Legacy of Corn Nitrogen Fertilizer: Study Shows Lengthy Impact in Tile Drained Systems
Midwestern soils are among the most productive in the world, thanks in part to extensive tile drainage systems that remove excess water from crop fields. But water isn't the only thing flowing through tile drains.
Illinois EQIP Funding with “Act Now”
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service Illinois State Conservationist, Tammy Willis, announces a funding opportunity for Environmental Quality Incentives Program Landscape Conservation Initiatives and Urban Ag using “Act Now” authority.
Caterpillar Kicks Off its Next 100 Years of Innovation & Industry Leadership
Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE: CAT) today marked its 100th anniversary with celebrations throughout the U.S. that commemorate a monumental moment in the company’s history. The iconic manufacturing company officially turns 100 on April 15, marking a century of customer-centric innovation and industry-leading transformation.
Identifying a Proposed Excavation Site: White Lining Versus Requesting an Onsite Meeting
Clear communication and planning are integral to any excavation. Efficiently and effectively identifying and communicating the location of the proposed excavation site is one segment of the larger excavation process. Two common methods for identifying the worksite location are white lining and requesting an onsite excavation meeting. Both methods aim to enhance project safety and efficiency.
LICA's View: Giving Back to this Beautiful Business
This morning (Sept. 26), Michelle and I left sunny Indiana to drive into the path of Helena. We’ve had plans for some time to meet with two of our sons and their respective families at a cabin in the Smoky Mountains. We were right in the path of heavy rain and wins.
Land Values Signal Seller's Market; Drainage can Effect Buyer Interest
According to the latest report by Farmers National Company (FNC), a Nebraska-based management and professional solutions provider for U.S. farms, despite various pressures on farms – lower net farm income, declining commodity markets, higher interest rates and increased input costs – land values have remained stable across the Midewest.
The New 2025 Law is Now Effective
The new 2025 Illinois Underground Utility Facilities Damage Prevention Act (JULIE law) is now in effect. Significant changes to the law impact when you should submit a locate request, required pre-marking of the job site and more.
As you begin excavation in the new year, we have resources available to assist you in adhering to the new regulations.
What You Need to Know for the Year Ahead
OSHA has been busy this last year issuing several significant updates and new rules regarding workplace safety. Employers must stay ahead of these changes to ensure compliance and foster a safer, healthier work environment for their employees. Here’s a rundown of the key updates for 2024 and beyond!
FleetWatcher Tames 'Data Overload' to Better Manage Construction Equipment
An overabundance of data from construction site equipment can hurt rather than help companies, but FleetWatcher's advanced telematics platform allows users to manage multiple apps with a single platform.
Schlatter's, Inc 2025 GPS School Registration is Open
Once again Schlatter’s Inc. will host our annual GPS School for Water Management. This event will cover nearly everything to do with PTx Trimble GPS, Technology, and Water Management. This is a 2 day event that will be offered on 2 different dates in February of 2025. Registration is at 7:30 am EST and Seminar will begin at 8:30 am EST, Meals and Snacks will be provided as well as Training Materials. Special Discounts are available to customers who have purchased GPS systems from Schlatter’s Inc.
Registration will close 7 days prior to the individual session.
Assistant Secretary for Occupational Safety and Health Doug Parker issues statement on 2023 Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries
Today’s report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics is more positive news for worker safety and health. In November, the bureau reported a 20-year low in the rate of non-fatal worker injuries and illnesses in 2023, and we are further encouraged by the news that the number and rate of fatal worker injuries also dropped in 2023.
“Buried Alive”: Worker’s Lawsuit Describes Horror of Trench Collapse
Trevor Kilgore was in a 12-foot-deep trench June 12, 2023, installing water, sewer and stormwater lines for a new home in Bondurant, Iowa, when suddenly the trench collapsed, burying him alive under a wall of clay-like dirt.
OSHA-NIOSH Small Business Checklist App
The OSHA-NIOSH Small Business Checklist App can improve safety and health in the workplace. The app is a free tool that features checklists and other workplace safety and health resources for small businesses. The app was developed by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and NIOSH and is based on the OSHA-NIOSH Small Business Safety and Health Handbook.
Eliot Clay Named New Executive Director of the Association of Illinois Soil & Water Conservation Districts
The Association of Illinois Soil & Water Conservation Districts (AISWCD) is pleased to announce the selection of Eliot Clay as its new Executive Director. Clay, a seasoned policy leader with deep expertise in agriculture, conservation and environmental issues, brings a wealth of experience to the organization.
Agriculture Runoff Damages Our Water & Kills Wildlife. Could a Simple Drainage Stopper be the Solution?
The sight of the first snow on the horizon of Bill Wiley’s 500-acre farm in Shelby County, Ohio, is a welcome relief. The 2024 growing season has been incredibly dry.
“We are about eight inches behind regular precipitation for the year,” he said.
But Wiley, who farms corn, soybeans, wheat, pumpkins and gords, has installed two inline water control structures that control the flow of drainage water from two of his fields.
Construction Worker Buried in Bondurant Trench Collapse Sues Employer for Safety Lapses
Though he was pulled alive from a trench that collapsed, burying him, Trevor Kilgore has been haunted by the memory of those terrifying moments and troubled by nightmares and insomnia because, as his medical providers note, "all he sees is dirt."
Florida Contractors Face Six-Figure OSHA Fines in Trenching Violations
Two Florida contractors face six-figure Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) fines for willfully exposing workers at sites in Jacksonville and Daytona Beach to trench and excavation collapses and cave-ins, the agency announced December 5.
OSHA Final Rule on
Personal Protective Equipment in Construction
OSHA is finalizing a revision to its personal protective equipment standard for construction to explicitly require that the equipment must fit properly.
CEAP Reports Tracking U.S. Conservation Trends Now Available Online
The multi-agency Conservation Effects Assessment Project (CEAP) uses natural resource and farmer survey data and physical process modeling to estimate the environmental effects of conservation practices on cultivated cropland. USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service conducted the first set of farmer surveys in 2003–06 (CEAP I) and the second set in 2013–16 (CEAP II).
Unlocking Tax Savings: The Benefits of a Cost Segregation Study
A cost segregation study allows a business property owner to accelerate depreciation deductions. That, in turn, enables the owner to reduce current taxable income and increase cash flow.
The U.S. Election Outcome Likely to Have Major Impact on Taxes
Having won control of the White House, the Senate and the House of Representatives, Republicans will have the opportunity to move forward their vision for federal taxes. What might this mean?
Feeling Charitable? Be Sure You Can Substantiate Your Gifts
As the end of the year approaches, many people give more thought to supporting charities they favor. To avoid losing valuable charitable deductions if you itemize, you’ll need specific documentation, depending on the type and size of your gift. Here’s a breakdown of the rules:
USDA Invests $7 Million in Eight Wetland Mitigation Banking Projects
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $7 million in eight projects to support the development of wetland mitigation banks for agricultural producers through the Wetland Mitigation Banking Program (WMBP). Through wetland mitigation banks, wetlands are restored, created or enhanced, generating credits that can be purchased by producers looking to compensate for unavoidable impacts to wetlands at another location.
Farm Bill, Funding Extension Loom
Congress returns this week facing a Dec. 20 deadline to approve a new funding resolution to keep the government operating, as well as potentially pass a disaster package and a farm-bill extension before wrapping up the year.
Biden Admin to Finalize 45Z Credit
The Biden administration is set to finalize guidance on the 45Z Clean Fuel Production tax credit before President Joe Biden leaves office come Jan. 20, 2025, a spokesperson for the U.S. Treasury Department told DTN on Tuesday.
Reducing Waste, Protecting Water: Honoring America Recycles Day and National Stormwater Day
November 15th marks the celebration of two holidays that resonate deeply with our mission and purpose: America Recycles Day and National Stormwater Day.
America Recycles Day encourages recycling as a fundamental step towards reducing waste, conserving energy, and protecting valuable natural resources. Meanwhile, National Stormwater Day shines a light on the critical importance of effective stormwater management to keep our communities safe from flooding and keep water clean.
ADS Foundation Donates to Two Government Organizations to Aid in the Recovery of Hurricanes Helene and Milton
Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. , a leading provider of innovative water management solutions in the stormwater and onsite septic wastewater industries and one of the largest plastic recyclers in North America, today announced the donation of $30,000 to help in the Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton relief efforts through the ADS Foundation.
Scientists Tackle Farm Nutrient Pollution with Sustainable, Affordable Designer Biochar Pellets
What if farmers could not only prevent excess phosphorus from polluting downstream waterways, but also recycle that nutrient as a slow-release fertilizer, all without spending a lot of money? In a first-of-its-kind field study, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign researchers show it’s possible and economical.
North American Drainage Conference returns for 2025
The North American Drainage Conference, a half-day, virtual conference focused on providing innovation and insights for drainage contractors to keep them current and competitive, will return on March 4, 2025.
Discussions will focus on diversifying knowledge of drainage, water management and soils. Speakers include in-demand researchers such as Jane Frankenberger (Purdue) and Chad Penn (USDA, Purdue), seasoned contractors and entrepreneurs such as NextGen Drainage’s Mylen Dunbar and Grade Solutions’ LaVerne Weber and more.
Top 3 Construction Technology Trends to Watch in 2025
The construction industry is on the brink of a technological transformation, with innovations promising to increase efficiency, safety and sustainability. As we look ahead to 2025, here are three of the most exciting construction technology trends that will reshape the industry and bring new opportunities for construction professionals.
Tips From the Trench: November 2024
New OSHA regions. Recently, the agency adjusted its regional structure and boundaries to reflect changes in demographics and industry. Regions are also now named by geography rather than numbers.
Tips to Keep Your Team Busy This Winter Season
As the leaves fall and temperatures drop, many utility construction companies face the challenge of keeping their teams busy during the quieter winter months.
This period often brings a slowdown in new projects, but that doesn’t mean your business has to suffer. With the right strategies, you can ensure that your company remains productive, your employees stay engaged and your bottom line remains strong.
ADMC President Kent Rodelius Retires
Kent Rodelius, Ag Market Relationship Manager Prinsco, announced at the 2024 Agricultural Drainage Management Coalition (ADMC) Annual Meeting that he will be retiring from his position as ADMC Board President. Rodelius had been serving as President since accepting the nomination to the position at the 2019 meeting.
Trump Picks Next USDA Chief
President-elect Donald Trump on Saturday named Brooke L. Rollins as the country's next Secretary of Agriculture.
A native of Texas, Rollins, 52, is the founder and CEO of the America First Policy Institute (AFPI) and America First Works (AFW), a pair of organizations that have championed Trump's agenda.
Conservation Stewardship Program - Inflation Reduction Act Funding for Climate-Smart Agriculture in IL
IRA funding provided an additional $3.25 billion nationwide over five years for climate smart agriculture through CSP. Through the additional CSP-IRA funding, Illinois received $29.8 million in FY 2025 to provide direct climate mitigation benefits to Illinois producers.
6 Reasons Why the Military Encourages Veterans to Work in Construction
The military’s encouragement of veterans pursuing construction careers is part of a broader effort to provide meaningful, stable employment that leverages veterans’ skills while meeting a critical labor need in the U.S. economy.
What Can Contractors Expect Under a Trump Administration?
Now that the dust has settled from the presidential election, what can contractors expect going forward for the construction economy under the Trump administration?
Investing in Your Foreman
In the construction industry, the success or failure of a project can depend heavily on the knowledge and proficiency of front line supervisors. These individuals are the backbone of the industry, managing teams and ensuring safety and efficiency. However, many construction foremen never receive any formal training for this vital position.
Depreciation Bonus Begins Phase-Out
Contractors who correctly apply the concept of bonus depreciation have the advantage of maximizing their tax benefits while the rate is still relatively high. In 2023, the fed began a gradual phase-out of this tax provision, which allows businesses to deduct a significant portion of the cost of eligible assets in the year these assets are placed into service.
Department of Labor Encouraged by Decline in Worker Death Investigations
Fewer workers are dying from hazards where the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has focused its enforcement resources. Preliminary agency data show a decrease in fatalities the agency is mandated to investigate, including significant reductions in fatal injuries from trench collapses and falls, two of the leading causes of death among construction industry workers.
Federal Judge Invalidates DOL’s Rule to Expand Overtime Pay
Great news for employers! A Federal Judge has struck down the U.S. Department of Labor’s overtime rule that increased the salary threshold for classifying employees as “exempt” from overtime pay requirements under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
USDA Seeks Public Input on Climate Benefits of Conservation Practice Standards
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking public input by December 23, 2024, on how to improve conservation practice standards to maximize climate change mitigation and adaptation benefits, as supported by peer-reviewed scientific literature.
Please Sign Our Petition: We Want Clean Water, and Healthy Soil
Illinois’ 97 Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD) experienced a substantial funding shortfall in the FY 2025 state budget. SWCD operations funding was reduced by $4 million from $8.5 million in FY 24 to $4.5 million in FY 25. The shortfall will lead to the loss of trained and qualified Soil and Water Conservation District employees which will take years of training to replace. Without sufficient funding, employees, much like unprotected soil, will erode away.
An Overview of the Effectiveness of Agricultural Conservation Practices for Water Quality Improvement
This article introduces a Special Collection of literature reviews documenting the performance and cost-effectiveness of six agricultural conservation practices (ACPs): conservation crop rotation, cover crop, filter strip, nutrient management, denitrifying bioreactor, and constructed wetland.
Effectiveness Overview of Agricultural Conservation Practices for Water Quality Improvement Part II
Although significant governmental investment has been provided to implement agricultural conservation practices (ACPs) for water quality improvement, eutrophication and hypoxia persist in coastal and fresh waters. A better understanding of the comparative effectiveness of ACPs is needed to improve environmental outcomes with the funding available.
Understanding Subirrigation: A Game Changer for Agriculture
When it comes to innovative farming techniques, few methods have sparked as much conversation as subirrigation. It’s been a game-changer, especially for farmers grappling with the challenges of poorly drained soils. We had the opportunity to sit down with Charlie Schafer, CEO of Agri Drain, to learn why this technique is making waves in the industry.
ADS Hosts Grand Opening Ceremony for Engineering & Technology Center in Hilliard, OH
Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. (NYSE: WMS) (“ADS” or the “Company”), a leading provider of innovative water management solutions in the stormwater and onsite septic wastewater industries, today celebrated the opening of the $65 million ADS Engineering and Technology Center.
7 Year End Tax Saving Tips
It’s time to consider tax planning moves that will help lower your 2024 taxes, as well as set you up for tax savings in future years. Here are seven year-end tax planning ideas to consider.
busybusy Earns Spot Among Top Construction Tech Firms
At busybusy, we’re excited to announce that we’ve been named one of the Top Construction Technology Firms for 2024 by Construction Executive. This recognition is a testament to our commitment to revolutionizing the construction industry with innovative, easy-to-use tools that empower contractors to improve productivity, efficiency, and project management.
New Resource: Illinois Sustainable Ag Partnership Launches Financial Incentives Database (FIND) Tool
The Illinois Sustainable Ag Partnership recently released a new resource to connect Illinois farmers with programs offering financial incentives for conservation practices. The Financial INcentives Database, or FIND Tool, includes information for over 60 financial incentive programs available to Illinois farmers who want to implement conservation practices.
Refresher For Employers On Required Accommodations To Allow Employees Time Off Work To Vote
As the 2024 election approaches, on Tuesday, November 5th, Wessels Sherman offices in Illinois, Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin have been fielding questions about employee voting rights. Because this is governed by state law and each state’s laws differ it can be confusing, particularly for employers with employees in more than one state. This refresher will provide employers with a quick summary of their obligations to allow employees time off work to vote.
An Assessment of Farmers' Knowledge, Attitudes, & Intentions Towards Water Quality & Pollution Risk Mitigation Actions
Farmers face increasing pressure to adjust practices to reduce the risk of deterioration of water quality. This paper examines the potential of a voluntary, confidential, bespoke farm advisory initiative to support water quality improvement efforts.
Cat, Trimble Extend Deal to Offer Machine Grade Control
“The renewed agreement will increase industry reach and provide customers broader availability of interoperable grade control solutions via a flexible platform for use by Caterpillar, Trimble and other technology providers and equipment manufacturers,” the companies say.
Research: Impact of Nitrogen on Tile Drained Fields
Midwestern soils are among the most productive in the world, thanks in part to extensive tile drainage systems that remove excess water from crop fields. But water isn’t the only thing flowing through tile drains.
New Law Course Now Available Online
JULIE has created 10 new law modules covering some of the key areas changing in the Illinois Underground Utility Facilities Damage Prevention Act (the JULIE Law) starting January 1, 2025. These modules are part of the on-going educational efforts about the new law and are offered at no cost. Each is approximately 10 minutes in length covering areas such as pre-marking, notification timelines, positive response and more.
USDA Invests $1.5 Billion in 92 Partnership Projects, including in Illinois
RCPP is a partner-driven approach to conservation that funds solutions to natural resource challenges on agricultural land. Partners will provide $968 million in contributions to increase the impact of the federal investment.
Illinois will get $18,960,000 in funding. Selected RCPP projects, including those in Illinois, will "help farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners adopt and expand voluntary, locally led conservation strategies to enhance natural resources while tackling the climate crisis."
3 Sustainable Construction Equipment Trends for 2025
As sustainability increasingly becomes a core principle in construction, companies are looking for solutions to reduce their carbon footprint while maintaining efficiency. Construction equipment is at the forefront of this transformation. Several trends will help reshape the industry as we move into 2025.
Mechanisms Underlying Episodic Nitrate & Phosphorus Leaching from Poorly Drained Agricultural Soils
Poorly drained depressions within tile-drained croplands can have disproportionate environmental and agronomic impacts, but mechanisms controlling nutrient leaching remain poorly understood. We monitored nitrate and soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) leaching using zero-tension soil lysimeters across a depression to upland gradient over 2 years in a corn–soybean (Zea mays L.–Glycine max [L.] Merr.) field in Iowa.
Top Tips for Avoiding Work Zone Safety Missteps
Safety in construction work zones is essential to keep everyone safe—workers, motorists, and the public. Unfortunately, safety violations happen all too often, leading to injuries, fatalities, project delays and extra spending. The good news? You can prevent these incidents and safeguard your bottom line by putting a strong traffic control plan in place.
Drought and Drainage
As you get busy with the harvest season, year 2024 is likely to go down in your books as one of the most challenging growing seasons. The 2024 planting season started off with some wet weather early April, followed by warm weather for about two weeks before some rain interruptions in first week of May.
Read more
Cultivating Connections on Ag Day at the Illinois State Fair
More than 60 agriculture and conservation professionals, gathered on Ag Day at the Illinois State Fair to connect, collaborate, and learn from one another and leave with new tools to carry out continued work in support of sustainability throughout Illinois agriculture.
Congress Fails to Extend Farm Bill.. Now What?
With no new farm bill in place after the 2018 farm bill deadline, there are already impacts on U.S. farmers and ranchers. Sam Kieffer, vice president of public policy for the American Farm Bureau Federation, outlined some of the programs that went away.
Illinois Employers – Start Getting Ready for More Laws
After the flurry of new laws and ordinances that bombarded Illinois employers in 2024, our clients had hoped for a respite to get their feet back under them. Unfortunately, 2025 is gearing up to continue changing the rules further. This article will highlight briefly some upcoming changes in the law that employers need to prepare themselves to address.
Refresher For Employers On Required Accommodations To Allow Employees Time Off Work To Vote
As the 2024 election approaches, on Tuesday, November 5th, Wessels Sherman offices in Illinois, Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin have been fielding questions about employee voting rights. Because this is governed by state law and each state’s laws differ it can be confusing, particularly for employers with employees in more than one state.
Today's Security Tech Helps Contractors Combat Jobsite Theft
Construction theft is not new, but criminals are getting bolder in their efforts to make a buck on anything they can grab quickly at a job site, from the rig itself to the fuel and parts inside it.
The pain of dealing with the theft is obvious, but other issues come into play, including damaged equipment leading to missed deadlines, increased insurance premiums and profits lost on a project.
One Oregon excavation contractor felt the burn this summer over two days of theft and destruction.
Strict Safety Rules on Jobsites Reduce Liability Risks
The construction industry is predicted to continue to face exponential growth while also experiencing a severe labor shortage of more than half a million workers, leading to the highest rate of open positions ever recorded. Those who are filling these open construction positions are often new entrants into the construction industry with no experience or safety training. This inflates risk and increases loss prevention challenges.
50 Years of Protecting Workers from Retaliation
Five decades ago, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration was not only granted authority to protect employees when workplaces don’t follow its regulations. But the agency also helps employees recoup losses after their employers turn against them in retaliation for exercising their rights under various laws.
When is Employer-Paid Life Insurance Taxable?
If the fringe benefits of your job include employer-paid group term life insurance, a portion of the premiums for the coverage may be taxable. And that could result in undesirable income tax consequences for you.
McKee Accepts Entrepreneurial Spirit Award on Behalf of Purple Wave Auction
Aaron McKee accepted the Entrepreneurial Spirit award on behalf of Purple Wave Auction, recognized for its innovative approach to online equipment auctions. Purple Wave was lauded by the Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce for its community impact and commitment to providing a reliable platform for buyers and sellers.
Water Quality Research is 'Team Sport': Partnerships with Private Sector Help Get Ideas on the Ground
Water quality researchers usually get the credit for their ideas and the grants they secure to study the ideas’ potential. Less likely to be acknowledged are those who help take the ideas from paper to practice. “So much of our research depends on working closely not only with state and federal agencies, but also with private sector engineers and contractors to help get ideas on the ground,” says Bill Crumpton, professor of ecology, evolution and organismal biology at Iowa State University, a well-known scientist who studies wetlands and water quality.
Stay Safe & Organized with BusyBusy's Safety Observation Feature
We’re back with an essential new feature designed to help protect your employees and keep projects running smoothly. At busybusy, we know that employee observations are one of the most effective ways to address job site hazards—if handled properly. Without a well-organized system, critical safety issues can go unreported, potentially leading to accidents and increased liability.
Tile Drainage Data Recording System Helps Reveal Excess Water Removal
When Jim Pallister, a farmer near Portage la Prairie, MB, shared his crop update in late July on X-Twitter, he mentioned, “Corn is tasseling, wheat keeps filling, and beans are flowering. Tile drainage finally paid off and made a big difference.”
Tile Drainage Demonstration Aims to Set Record Straight on Manitoba's Misunderstood Clay Soils
Can tile drainage unlock the potential of Manitoba’s clay soils? Dig Day puts the theory to the test.
If rumours are to be believed, what Precision Land Solutions (PLS) did on August 7 was a fool’s errand. On that day – a day they called Dig Day – they brought their heavy equipment, their staff, and gallons of fresh coffee and pastries to a field on the west side of Highway 75, where they ploughed tile-drainage pipe into heavy clay soil for free.
The 2024 Drain for the Cure is Here
Springfield Plastics is kicking off its annual Drain for the Cure fundraiser. The fundraiser supports cancer research, prevention, and treatment at Simmons Cancer Institute at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine in Springfield, Illinois, and John Stoddard Cancer Center at UnityPoint Health in Des Moines, Iowa.
The Legacy of Corn Nitrogen Fertilizer: Study Shows Lengthy Impact In Tile Drained Systems
Midwestern soils are among the most productive in the world, thanks in part to extensive tile drainage systems that remove excess water from crop fields. But water isn’t the only thing flowing through tile drains.
NRCS Announces Conservation Funding Opportunities for FY 2025
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is announcing fiscal year 2025 assistance opportunities for agricultural producers and private landowners for key conservation programs, such as the Agricultural Management Assistance (AMA) program, Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), and Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).
Proposed Revisions to the National Handbook of Conservation Practices for the NRCS
NRCS plans to revise the CPS in the NHCP. This notice provides an overview of the planned changes and gives the public an opportunity to offer comments on the specific CPS and NRCS's proposed changes.
Contractor Fined $72K Penalty After Worker Rescued from Trench Collapse
A contractor faces proposed penalties of $72,400 from the Michigan Occupational Safety & Health Administration after a worker was seriously injured in a trench collapse.
The 37-year-old worker was in a 10-foot-deep trench placing fiber-optic line May 31 in Portage when the cave-in occurred. A five-hour operation by emergency personnel rescued the worker from the collapse, and he had serious injuries.
AGC Finds Contractors Using Multiple Hiring Tools to Grow Workforce Numbers
The construction industry is no stranger to hard work. So, when it comes to workforce shortages, instead of throwing up their hands contractors are rolling up their sleeves. Companies have gotten clever in their strategies to overcome workforce issues. Not wasting time pointing fingers at the federal government's preference for higher education over craft training, the industry instead is opting to develop a culture that invests in workers for the long haul.
Are You Aware of the Business Credits and Other Tax Benefits Available?
Some credits are available “as of right.” That is, if your business meets the specified requirements, you just need to claim the benefit on a timely filed tax return to receive it.
State and federal tax credits and exemptions are designed as incentives for businesses to engage in certain activities or invest in specific economically distressed areas. Here are a few:
Business Succession and Estate Planning Should Be Inseparable
If you’re a business owner, your company is likely your most valuable asset. To ensure it survives after you’re gone, you first need a succession plan that will provide a smooth transition of the business to one or more of your children (assuming you want to keep it in the family). In addition, you need an estate plan that effectively addresses the tax impact of transferring your ownership interests to the next generation.
Chris Schildroth Selected for His Tireless Commitment to Pipeline Safety
Chris Schildroth, Public Awareness Specialist for Ameren Illinois, was chosen as the 2024 recipient of the Gina Meehan-Taylor Damage Prevention Advocacy Award for his dedication as an advocate of damage prevention to natural gas pipelines. Nationwide every six minutes, someone contacts an underground utility because they didn't call 8-1-1 before that first shovel or spike broke the earth.
NRCS Includes Water Management on the Updated Climate Smart Activities List
ADMC and its partners have been working diligently to provide the data needed for NRCS to include water management practices such as Drainage Water Management (Conservation Practice Standard 554), Saturated Buffers (CPS 604), and Denitrifying Bioreactors (CPS 605) on the CSAF list. That diligence is starting to pay off as Drainage Water Management, Saturated Buffer, and Wetland Restoration (CPS 657) are now eligible as CSAF practices.
Fifth Martin Equipment Dealership Earns John Deere Certified Rebuild Center Status
Martin Equipment is proud to announce its Tolono, Illinois dealership has been named a John Deere Certified Rebuild Center. This rigorous dealer certification process ensures the capability, process and execution of large, production-class model machine rebuilds are executed at the absolute highest level of quality.
EPA Identifies Controlled Drainage as Potential Mitigation Measure for Erosion
Mitigation measures identified by the EPA include subsurface tile drains with controlled drainage structures, as well as systems with permanent berms and tailwater return systems.
According to an EPA news release, the strategy “also reduces the level of mitigation needed for applicators who have already implemented measures identified in the strategy to reduce pesticide movement from treated fields into habitats through pesticide spray drift and runoff from a field.
ISAP's New Fund Finding Tool
The Illinois Sustainable Ag Partnership recently released a new resource to connect Illinois farmers with programs offering financial incentives for conservation practices. The Financial INcentives Database, or FIND Tool, includes information for over 60 financial incentive programs available to Illinois farmers who want to implement conservation practices.
How the Farm Bill Benefits Conservation Today
Most of us think of the Farm Bill—if we think of it at all—as a relic of the Dust Bowl: a 90-year-old bill providing money for farmers and guidelines for soil conservation. But it’s much more than that. It’s the “most important legislation” for conserving, managing and restoring private lands in the United States, says Jenny Conner Nelms, associate director of legislative affairs at The Nature Conservancy.
Drainage May Reduce Flooding Levels
What a year it has been! A snowless winter led to worries about drought— but then the rain came. And came. And came.
For several weeks, streams and rivers across Minnesota were at flood levels. Several stream gauge stations recorded new high flows. Weather watchers in some areas reported several months of normal rain falling in just a few days.
2024 Pipeline Awareness Newsletter Available Now
The 2024 Pipeline Awareness Newsletter has been mailed to approximately 40,000 Public Officials. Members will receive their copy within the next week. A PDF copy can be downloaded here.
USDA Requests Public Input on Implementation of SUSTAINS Act
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is asking for public input on how best to implement the SUSTAINS Act, which authorizes USDA to accept private contributions to channel through several existing USDA conservation programs. The public should submit comments to the Request for Information via the Federal Register by September 16, 2024.
Podcast: Water Management & Collaboration with Keegan Kult
Welcome to our new podcast miniseries, Focus on Drainage. In this four-episode miniseries, we speak to experts from different aspects of the agricultural drainage and water management sector to discuss evolving trends and innovation in the field of water management.
How Grass Waterways and Tile Drainage can Work Together
Grass waterways across the landscape offer promising opportunities to reduce nitrate pollution in tile drainage from agricultural land, according to ongoing research led by the University of Iowa and Iowa State University.
Linear strips of sod planted in drainageways, grass waterways slow surface water runoff to catch and reduce soil erosion. The widespread conservation practice has been popular for decades in many areas of the state and Midwest.
Gulf of Mexico 'Dead Zone' Larger than Average, Scientists Find
NOAA-supported scientists announced today that this year’s Gulf of Mexico “dead zone” — an area of low to no oxygen that can kill fish and marine life — is approximately 6,705 square miles, the 12th largest zone on record in 38 years of measurement. This figure equates to more than 4 million acres of habitat potentially unavailable to fish and bottom species, an area roughly the size of New Jersey.
What are the Benefits of Edge-of-Field Conservation Practices?
Edge-of-field conservation practices are not new. However, they are a highly effective strategy that can be used to improve water quality.
River Valley Pipe Turns 10
Illinois-based River Valley Pipe is celebrating its 10-year anniversary.
Specializing in ag drainage, River Valley has marked key milestones such as expanding its product lines (now manufacturing all standard single-wall diameters and 10 fittings), growth in its market reach and an increase to 50 employees across two locations.
Frequently Asked Questions About Illinois Paid Leave
Over the course of the year, we have received a number of questions from our clients about Illinois’ various new Paid Leave laws. In this article, we are going to present and address some of the most commonly asked questions we have been receiving.
Water Management for Reducing Phosphorus Loss
Of the various sources of phosphorus (P) entering Lake Erie, agriculture is a dominant one. While drainage is critical for crop production, it can transport P to downstream water bodies. In subsurface-drained farms, P is mainly lost from two pathways – surface runoff and drainage discharge. Surface runoff mainly moves particulate P (soil-attached P) and drainage discharge mainly moves soluble P.
Farm Bill Stuck in the Summer Political Heat
There appears to be growing unity that congressional action on reauthorization of the farm bill has little chance this year. The congressional calendar is limited with conventions and a long August recess ahead. Word out of Milwaukee at the RNC was not promising on farm bill action.
Independent Contractors: Classify Carefully
Many businesses use independent contractors to help keep their costs down and provide flexibility for short-term needs. But the question of whether a worker is an employee or an independent contractor is complex. Be careful that your independent contractors are properly classified for federal tax and employment tax purposes, because if the IRS reclassifies them as employees, it can be an expensive mistake.
