BASF Media Event in Tennessee

Grow Smart was the theme for a BASF southern ag media field day near Memphis, Tennessee on August 26. Participants heard from champion corn grower Randy Dowdy of Georgia about how he uses the Grow Smart philosophy to attain record yields and return on investment. We also got an update on Engenia, which is expected to receive registration from EPA …

28th Annual ACE Ethanol Conference

The 28th annual American Ethanol Coalition (ACE) Ethanol Conference kicked off today in Omaha, Nebraska (August 20-21) with a great crowd of ethanol supporters. The theme this year: “Quite Ingenuity. Bold Advance.” This year also marks the one year anniversary of the “Power to the People” campaign. Topics this year included E15, ethanol and dried distiller grains (DDGs) export opportunities, …

Comment Deadline for RFS Proposal is Monday

The deadline for submitting comments to the Environmental Protection Agency on the proposed Renewable Fuel Standards for 2014, 2015, and 2016 is Monday, July 27. Here are comments from EPA, National Corn Growers Association (NCGA), and the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) encouraging stakeholders to submit comments on the proposal. Comment Deadline for RFS Proposal is Monday – Comments can be …

EPA Administrator Talks to Corn Growers

Speaking to members of the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) meeting in Washington DC this week, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Gina McCarthy talked about recent agency actions, including the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS). More than 300 farmers and staffers were on hand to hear McCarthy’s explanation of the RFS and WOTUS decisions, as well …

Corn Congress and RFS Rally

Members of the National Corn Growers Association were on Capitol Hill this week talking about issues important to them, especially the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). More than 300 corn farmers joined members of Congress and ethanol industry leaders at a rally Wednesday calling attention to the proposed cutting of the RFS` for corn ethanol. In addition, corn growers were talking …

Visit to BASF Midwest Research Farm

Out in the Illinois countryside just a little southwest of Champaign is the BASF Midwest Research Farm (MWRF), which the company has developed into a showcase for the latest in crop development trials and stewardship practices. A group of agricultural journalists toured the site this week to learn more about what they do there and about the challenges facing Illinois …

Corn Growers on Cuba Trade Mission

Nine farmer leaders and staff members from the National Corn Growers Association, the U.S. Grains Council and the North Dakota Barley Council traveled to Cuba last month to see first-hand opportunities for expanding U.S. coarse grain exports if trade is fully normalized with the island nation. The mission was part of an ongoing effort by the grains industry to assess …

#RFSWorks Hearing and Rally

Hundreds of ethanol supporters showed up in Kansas City, Kansas on June 25, 2015 for a public hearing on the EPA’s proposed volume obligations under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and a Rally for Rural America. The hearing heard testimony from over 200 stakeholders, including corn farmers, ethanol and biodiesel producers. The rally featured comments from the governors and agriculture …

America’s Renewable Future Announces Partners

America’s Renewable Future (ARF) today announced its diverse coalition of partners that includes state and national ethanol and biofuels associations and companies committed to educating presidential candidates in both parties about the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). The partners include the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA), Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA), Iowa Biodiesel Board, Iowa Ethanol Producers Association, Iowa Soybean Association, …

NCGA Chair Comments on Planting Progress

Corn farmers nationwide planted about one third of the corn acreage nationwide in one week last week according to USDA’s latest crop progress report. The phenomenal progress included an increase of 38% in Nebraska and Illinois, 41% more in Missouri, 45% in Minnesota and an additional 54% of the acreage in Iowa. In this interview, Martin Barbre, Chairman of the …

Doane Releases Planting Intentions Survey Results

Doane’s 2015 Planting Intentions Survey was released to subscribers and clients Friday, March 20th. Results from this year’s survey show a continuation of recent trends toward more soybeans and less corn acreage. Last year’s corn acreage declined significantly in 2014, down 4.8 million acres from the 2013 level, just a bit more than the 4.5 million acre decline implied by …

Biofuels Leaders Defend RFS

As the American Petroleum Institute on Wednesday renewed its call to repeal the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), representatives of the ethanol and advanced biofuels industry and corn growers defended the law and the fuel. Participating in a telephone press conference were: Tom Buis, CEO, Growth Energy Rob Elliott, National Corn Growers Assoc. First Vice President Adam Monroe, President, Novozymes America …

Corn Growers Welcome New Congress

The National Corn Growers Association spent Tuesday on Capitol Hill this week, welcoming the 114th Congress to Washington and talking up the importance of agriculture to the American economy. Pictured here is NCGA President Chip Bowling of Maryland with Rep. Rodney Davis (R-IL) – photo from NCGA. NCGA executive vice president Jon Doggett talks about the visit and important issues …

PacificAg Can Help Farmers and Biorefineries

The largest and most experienced biomass harvest company in the country wants to help ethanol plants develop or expand operations into the production of cellulosic ethanol by saving time and money on supply chain development. PacificAg is already supplying biomass for plants in Iowa and Kansas, including corn stover, wheat straw and milo stover products. In this interview, PacificAg founder …

Bayer CropScience Corn & Soybean Future Forum

The 2014 Bayer CropScience Corn and Soybean Future Forum takes place in Frankfurt, Germany. The Future Forum will be an excellent networking opportunity with interesting lectures, expert discussions and an attractive side program that feature upcoming trends and technologies in corn and soybean and will provide new insights into current and upcoming challenges and possible solution approaches. Audio Bayer CropScience …