The Environmental Protection Agency released its proposal for 2019 biofuel obligations under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) Tuesday, maintaining the statutory level for corn ethanol while increasing advanced biofuels, but failing to address the small refinery exemptions that have decimated demand and effectively lowered the required amount of biofuels to be blended. Under the proposed rule, conventional renewable fuel volumes …
House Subcommittee Hearing on Advanced Biofuels
The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Environment held its fourth hearing this year aimed at addressing issues related to fuels and vehicles, this time focusing on advanced biofuels under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Listen to opening comments from subcommittee chairman Rep. John Shimkus (R-IL) and statements from these four witnesses.
Erin Fitzgerald is New USFRA CEO
The U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) has ended a five- month search for a new chief executive officer with the selection Erin Fitzgerald to lead the organization. Fitzgerald previously served as Senior Vice President, Global Sustainability for the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy®, a part of Dairy Management Inc. (DMI). Fitzgerald will lead USFRA as it approaches its eighth …
The Incredibles 2 Makes Super Hero Eggs
The American Egg Board (AEB) cooked up an eggciting promotional sponsorship of Disney-Pixar’s “Incredibles 2” that has audiences scrambling for new “How Do You Like Your Eggs?” recipes reflecting each of the film’s character’s unique personality or super power. The film has made the Incredible Egg into a nutrition super hero! The AEB celebrated the June 15 movie premiere by …
White House Reorganization Plans Would Change USDA
During an open media cabinet meeting Thursday, which was mostly dominated by President Trump commenting on the immigration issue, Office of Management and Budget (OMB) director Mick Mulvaney gave an entertaining summary of the administration’s plans to reorganize the government. “It’s been almost a hundred years since anybody really reorganized the government,” said Mulvaney, before providing a couple of examples …
ZimmCast 588 – Social Networking & Ethanol Education
In this week’s program I’m going to cover a couple of different topics, although there are some common elements from an educational perspective. First up is Joanna Guza, Digital Communications Manager, Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative and Dairy Business Association, as well as volunteer with GMO Answers. We talk about social networking as a tool to reach people about topics like …
Senate Agriculture Committee Passes Farm Bill
By a vote of 20 to 1, the Senate Agriculture Committee passed the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 Wednesday. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) was the sole dissenting vote, continuing his long-time crusade for payment limitations. Grassley was the first to make his comments during the mark-up. Here are his remarks. Grassley also opposed including the Hemp Farming Act of 2018 …
New Driving Ethanol Podcast from Growth Energy
The past two years have been among the most challenging for the ethanol industry, and Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor has been at the front lines of the battles which are continuing stronger than ever. In this edition of the Driving Ethanol podcast, Skor reflects on her two years at the helm of the industry organization and talks about what …
ASTA Elects 2018-19 Officer Team
The American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) is pleased to announce its 2018-19 officer team, officially elected during the ASTA Policy & Leadership Development Conference in Washington, D.C. The members of the 2018-19 ASTA officer team are: • Chair – Jerry Flint, Corteva Agriscience™ • First Vice Chair – Wayne Gale, Stokes Seeds • Second Vice Chair — John Latham, Latham …
2018 Fuel Ethanol Workshop
The 34th annual International Fuel Ethanol Workshop in Omaha June 11-13 features industry awards, speakers, sessions and a large trade show. Organizers say the event is on pace to be the biggest since 2009, with over 550 biofuels producers registered and more than 300 industry companies and organizations exhibiting. The opening general session Tuesday features the High Octane Award and …
Ethanol Report on EPA Lawsuits
The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) has joined a coalition of biofuel and agriculture groups in a lawsuit against EPA over lost volumes of renewable fuel resulting from retroactive small refinery exemptions from Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) obligations. RFA is also a petitioner in a lawsuit filed last week over three specific small refinery exemptions granted by the agency. “EPA Administrator …
ZimmCast 586 – CCA Institute 2018
This edition of the ZimmCast includes interviews from the CCA Institute in Fort Worth, Texas. In this week’s program I’m going to share interviews with Nickie Sabo, AMPI, now past president for CCA, Chellie Phillips, Coweta-Fayette EMC, new president of CCA and Matt Wettersten, GROWMARK, meter of CCA. Listen to the ZimmCast here: Subscribe to the ZimmCast podcast here. Use this …
GROWMARK Foundation Announces Scholarship Recipients
Fifteen agriculture students have been selected as the second class of recipients of the GROWMARK Foundation scholarship. “Each scholarship is worth 1500 dollars,” says Karen Jones, Youth and Young Producer Specialist at GROWMARK. “We’ve awarded some to incoming freshmen but about half are going to students that are sophomore level or above.” Click here to see the full list of …
John Deere Introducing Updated Harvest Equipment
A new track system and a new draper lineup are among updates to harvest equipment coming from John Deere. A new track system is now fully suspended, offering the ability to transport up to 25 miles per hour from field to field. Track widths are available in 30-inch or 36-inch options. The company now also offers seven draper headers to …
Ethanol Report on Biker and Boater Education
A custom-made motorcycle will be the centerpiece of a new educational campaign by the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) to inform consumers about the proper use of ethanol-blended fuels in boats, motorcycles, and other small engines. RFA has partnered with American Chopper ‘s Paul Teutul Junior to design a custom bike that will be unveiled on June 11 and be part of the RFA promotion at the …