RFA Submits Comments on E15/RIN Reform Proposal

The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) submitted comments on the April 29 deadline for EPA’s proposal allowing 15 percent ethanol blends (E15) to take advantage of the 1-psi Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) waiver that currently applies to E10 during the summer months. The ethanol trade organization strongly supports the proposed regulatory fix that would allow year-round sales of E15 in conventional …

Water for a Hungry World Conference

The Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute at the University of Nebraska (DWFI) hosts the 2019 Water for Food Global Conference April 29-30 at Nebraska Innovation Campus in Lincoln, Nebraska. The conference will convene leading international experts and organizations to discuss “Water for a Hungry World: Innovation in Water and Food Security,” focusing on the next generation of research, smart …

Ethanol Report on EPA Proposals and Deadlines

The EPA proposal to allow year-round sales of E15, as well as reform the market for Renewable Identification Numbers (RINS), was just announced March 12 – but the accelerated timeline for the rule means the comment period will be over on Monday April 29. In this edition of “The Ethanol Report,” Renewable Fuels Association Senior Strategic Advisor Bob Dinneen talks …

ZimmCast 614 – Golden ZimmComm Mic Interviews

This edition of the ZimmCast includes interviews from the 2019 National Agri-Marketing Conference. The episode begins with Sheri Seger, DTN/The Progressive Farmer, outgoing NAMA President and Scott McClure, Brighton, incoming NAMA President. Additional interviewees include: Richard Bettison, Beck Ag Peggy Findlay, Commodity Classic Kevin Lind, Cornstalk LLC Marilyn Cummins, Cummins Consulting Craig Dick, Cropstream Sam Romain, Dominate with SEO Gardner …

Pork Producers Talk Trade and Animal Disease

National Pork Producers Council officials held a press conference Thursday, the day after announcing World Pork Expo is cancelled this year due to concerns about African swine fever. More than 100 pork producers from around the country were in Washington D.C. this week for the Spring Legislative Action Conference to meet with their representatives in Congress to discuss issues such …

2019 NAMA Agri-Marketing Conference

With the theme of “Onward Upward” the National Agri-Marketing Conference was held April 10-12, 2019 in Kansas City. The annual event is a meeting of the National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA), the nation’s largest association for professionals in marketing and agribusiness. This virtual ag newsroom includes links to photos and audio content available free of charge for digital or print publication …

Ethanol Report from Washington DC

The Environmental Protection Agency continues to be a major source of frustration for the ethanol industry, as the agency gives with one hand and takes away with the other as it keeps granting waivers for refineries from their obligations to blend ethanol while it works toward allowing year round sales of E15. Renewable Fuels Association president and CEO Geoff Cooper …

ABLC2019 Renewable Fuels Policy Panel and Sen. Grassley Award

Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) was honored at the Advanced Bioeconomy Leadership Conference (ABLC) in Washington DC April 4 with the Holmberg Award for Lifetime Achievement in Bioenergy. The ABLC is actually six conferences in one place, including the 10th Annual Advanced Biofuels Summit. The Digest editor Jim Lane moderated the panel discussion which featured Mike McAdams, Advanced Biofuels Association; Geoff …

Study Examines Contribution of American Lamb Checkoff Program

The American Lamb Checkoff Program has positively contributed to American lamb demand and industry profits, according to the Texas A&M University 2019 report “Return on Investment in the American Lamb Checkoff Program” conducted by agricultural economists Gary Williams, Ph.D., and Dan Hanselka. After extensive econometric modeling, researchers concluded that the American Lamb Checkoff Program added from 2.4% to 2.7% of …

Bayer Feed A Bee Milestone

The Bayer national pollinator forage initiative, Feed a Bee, has announced it has reached its goal of awarding grants supporting diverse forage for honey bees and other pollinators in all 50 states. The 50th recipient awarded recently was Gateway to the Arctic Camp in Talkeetna, Alaska. Interview with Dr. Becky Langer, project manager, Bayer North American Bee Care Program.

American Coalition for Ethanol 2019 Fly-in

Over 70 corn farmers, ethanol producers and fuel retailers attended the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) 11th annual DC Fly-in April 2-3, 2019. This virtual ag newsroom includes links to photos and audio content available free of charge for digital or print publication or broadcast. Photos 2019 ACE Fly-in Photo Album Audio

Biofuels Advocates Testify at EPA Hearing

The Environmental Protection Agency held a hearing Friday on proposed regulatory changes related to retail sales of 15% ethanol blended fuel (E15) and the renewable identification number (RIN) compliance system Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program. Biofuels advocates, organization representatives and company officials testified at the hearing about the proposal and other related topics. Below are links to audio files from …

New Ag International Brings Precision Agriculture and Biocontrol Events to Brazil in August 2019

New Ag International is looking forward to taking two conferences to Brazil in August 2019. InfoAg International Conference & Exhibition, a three-day event jointly organised with the International Plant Nutrition Institute (IPNI), will run in Campinas, São Paulo State, Brazil from 26-28 August 2019. This is the ideal event to learn how digital revolution is changing agriculture in South America. …

USDA and Nebraska Officials Discuss Flood Damage

Under Secretary of Agriculture for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Greg Ibach is in Nebraska this week surveying weather-related damage and talking with affected farmers and ranchers. He participated in a Facebook Live roundtable with Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts and other state officials on Monday. Audio with opening remarks from Ibach, Gov. Ricketts, and state Director of Agriculture Steve Wellman: The …

Dr. Adrian Percy Joins Finistere Ventures

Dr. Adrian Percy, former head of R&D for the Crop Science Division of Bayer, recently joined Finistere Ventures as Chief Technology Officer. Percy will provide strategic, technical and regulatory guidance for current portfolio companies. He will also support Finistere’s continued investment efforts, working with the team to identify and evaluate potential opportunities. Percy is pictured with Arama Kukutai, co-founder and …