Some of Nashville’s top talent will take the stage at the Grand Ole Opry for the 2012 Commodity Classic Evening of Entertainment on March 3, sponsored by Monsanto.
Entertainers in the lineup for the evening include Darryl Worley, John Conlee, Sarah Darling, Mike Snider, and Joey+Rory. (We just saw Joey+Rory, best known for their hit “Cheater, Cheater, last week in Nashville at the Cattle Industry Convention – they’re great!)
“The Evening of Entertainment will cap off three days of learning sessions, policymaking, networking and a sold-out, record-setting trade show that has the 17th annual Commodity Classic on pace to be the largest in history,” said Commodity Classic co-chair Jeff Sollars.
Commodity Classic will be held March 1-3 at the Gaylord Opryland Convention Center in Nashville, Tenn., and is presented annually by the National Corn Growers Association, American Soybean Association, National Association of Wheat Growers and National Sorghum Producers.
Despite a challenging growing season, winners in the 2011 Corn Yield Contest still averaged well over 300 bushels an acre – some over 400!
Advanced production techniques, informed growing practices and improved seed varieties helped corn growers achieve high yields in the National Corn Growers Association 2011 National Corn Yield Contest. Despite the challenging weather conditions that plagued the Corn Belt throughout the year, entrants continued to far surpass the national average corn yield, even doubling it in some circumstances.
The National Corn Yield Contest is in its 47th year and remains NCGA’s most popular program for members. With 8,425 entries, the 2011 NCGA National Corn Yield Contest set a new participation record again this year. This is a 18 percent increase over 2010 (7,125) and an incredible 70 percent increase over 2007 (4,932). The 18 winners in six production categories had verified yields averaging more than 313.107 bushels per acre, compared to the projected national average of 146.7 bushels per acre in 2011.
While there is no overall contest winner, yields from first, second and third place farmers overall production categories ranged from 277.5 to 429.0 bushels per acre.
See a list of all the winners.
Today the St. Louis Agribusiness Club presented its annual Agribusiness Leader of the Year Award to Rick Tolman, CEO, National Corn Growers Association. Here’s Rick with his award which was presented by past St. Louis Ag Club President Stephanie Regagnon, Solutia, Inc.
I spoke with Rick right after he received his award. He says that he’s “very moved and surprised and it’s a great honor.” He also says that it’s a tribute to the National Corn Growers because I have a great group of volunteer leaders that I work with and a staff that I work with and they make me look good and make the organization look good. But it’s a real honor for our association to be recognized.”
I asked him about the 2012 Commodity Classic since registration just recently opened. He says it’s going to be a good one with a record number of exhibitors already signed up. He also talks about priorities in the coming year for NCGA.
You can listen to my interview with Rick here: Rick Tolman Interview
You can find more photos from the meeting here: St. Louis Agribusiness Club Meeting Photo Album
With a deadline looming for the so-called “super committee” to make super cuts in the federal budget, all signs are pointing to a super failure.
The committee was charged with making cuts that ideally would mean a new Farm Bill and that was a major topic of discussion with farm group representatives at the recent National Association of Farm Broadcasting Trade Talk.
“Passing farm bills usually takes about 15 months, and ironically, this one – if it happens – will be one of the quickest ever in history,” said National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) president Garry Niemeyer of Illinois, pictured here being interviewed with first vice president Pam Johnson of Iowa. He is concerned about budget cuts hitting agriculture more than other areas. “Everybody thinks that farmers are flush with money, which makes it pretty tough,” he said.
Listen to my interview with Garry here: NCGA president Garry Niemeyer
If, as it appears, the super committee breaks down and comes up with nothing, American Farm Bureau Federation economist Bob Young says it’s a whole new conversation as far as a farm bill is concerned. “Then we’ll be back to standard process and a much more challenging environment to write a farm bill with this Congress,” he said, noting that the agriculture committees have proposed cuts of about $23 billion for farm and food programs, which the industry believes would be fair.
“We want the super committee to work,” Young added. “If the United States cannot get our act together, the markets are going to be pretty exciting, which might be a polite way of putting it.”
Listen to my interview with Bob here: Bob Young with AFBF
2011 NAFB Convention Photo Album
This morning I’m participating in a National Corn Growers Association social media webinar. My input will be on Google + and there will also be information provided on Facebook. I am using Google + and although there are a number of things I like about it, I’m still have most of my “friends” on Facebook only so, there’s that consideration to keep in mind.
I don’t know if you’ve registered but you can do so on the NCGA website.
Today’s growers have a whole new set of tools to use on the farm when it comes to communicating the importance of what we’re doing, and it’s vitally important that we know how to use these tools well and that we have then at hand when we need them.
Throughout 2011, the National Corn Growers Association will hold a series of hourly webinars – online tutorials – to help our members and others learn how to use some of these tools, such as Facebook and Twitter. This series of monthly webinars is provided free, courtesy the generous support of Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont Business.
Agricultural interests have been trying for nearly five years to get Washington to act on three free trade agreements and finally in just over a week they have been sent to Congress and passed by significant majorities.
The trade agreements with South Korea, Panama and Columbia were each voted on separately and passed in rapid succession Wednesday, first by the House and then by the Senate. The votes in the House were 278-151 for South Korea, 300-129 for Panama and 262-167 for Colombia. In the Senate, it was 83-15 for South Korea, 77-22 for Panama and 66-33 for Colombia. The president is expected to sign them.
Farm groups were quick to praise the long-awaited action that is expected to mean increased exports for a variety of agricultural commodities.
“The three free trade agreements with Korea, Colombia and Panama provide great opportunities for America’s farmers,” said National Corn Growers Association President Garry Niemeyer of Illinois, adding that U.S. farmers have been standing by watching other nations receive increased access to these markets as the FTAs waited in limbo.
National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) President Bill Donald of Montana was pleased to see Congress put differences aside to pass the trade deals. “For too long, the trade agreements have been collecting dust,” he said, noting that cattlemen have a lot to gain when the agreements are fully implemented by reducing and eliminating import tariffs on U.S. beef imposed by Colombia (80 percent), Panama (30 percent) and South Korea (40 percent).
Pork producers also have much to gain under the agreements, according to National Pork Producers Council president Doug Wolf of Wisconsin who called passage of the FTAs “one of the greatest victories ever for the U.S. pork industry” since it is expected to add more than $11 to the price producers receive for each hog marketed.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says passage of the agreements means over $2.3 billion in additional exports for American agriculture as a whole. “Immediately upon implementation of these agreements, the majority of American products exported to Korea, Colombia and Panama will become duty-free,” said Vilsack. “With record agricultural exports supporting more than a million jobs here at home, passage of these deals will contribute to a positive U.S. trade balance, create jobs, and provide new income opportunities for our nation’s agricultural producers, small businesses, and rural communities.”
The only question is, what took so long?
Corn growers and cattle producers are at odds over new legislation introduced in the House that would change the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS2).
The bill, sponsored by Reps. Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) and Jim Costa (D-CA), would allow Congress to reduce the RFS requirement for ethanol whenever corn stocks are tight.
Speaking on behalf of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) during a press conference announcing the legislation, California beef cattle producer Kevin Kester said it would provide relief from tight corn supplies.
“Cattlemen are not opposed to ethanol and we’re not looking for cheap corn. We simply want the federal government to get out of the marketplace and allow the market to work,” Kester said.
Officials with the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) say the measure would significantly weaken the RFS. “The U.S. ethanol industry is an integral part of job creation and economic opportunity throughout rural America,” said NCGA President Garry Niemeyer of Illinois. “This legislation would put progress made by the ethanol industry in jeopardy.”
The RFS came into effect in 2005 and was reauthorized and expanded in 2007 to require the use of 12.6 billion gallons of corn ethanol this year and 13.2 billion gallons in 2012, topping out at 15 billion gallons in 2015.
The Goodlatte-Costa bill would require a reduction in the RFS when the stocks-to-use ratio drops below 10 percent, up to a 50 percent reduction if the ratio falls below 5 percent. Under the current corn supply, the reduction would be 15-25 percent.
As the National Corn Growers Association prepares to start a new fiscal year this weekend, some old faces (not OLD old!) are being replaced with new ones on the Corn Board. “Off the Cob” podcaster Cathryn Wojcicki did interviews with three retiring board members to find out what they learned and experienced through service and to ask for any advice that might benefit farmers considering stepping up to a leadership role.
Over the last several years, Iowa farmer Daryl Haack served as the Corn Board’s liaison to NCGA’s Public Policy Action Team, chaired the Ethanol Committee, and represented the organization to the Rail Energy Transportation Advisory Committee, the BNSF Railway Ag Business Council and the U.S. Meat Export Federation.
Daryl says that while board involvement does require a significant time investment, serving on the Corn Board presents an unparalleled opportunity to enrich the lives of its members through opportunities to work with some of the most influential individuals both in the industry and in the country as a whole. “If you do have the time to get involved, the Corn Board presents a unique opportunity in that it allows you to meet people with whom you may not ever have another opportunity to interact,” he said.
Listen to Daryl’s comments here: Daryl Haack
During his tenure on the Corn Board, Minnesota farmer Jerry Larson chaired NCGA’s Finance Committee and served on the Association Relations Committee, Ethanol Committee and Research and Business Development Action Team.
Jerry stresses that potential leaders must understand the value of communications to all stakeholders. “It is of the utmost importance that we communicate our message back home, be it state-by-state, farmer-to-farmer, or even to the general public,” he noted.
Listen to Jerry’s comments here: Jerry Larson
Finally, Off the Cob spoke with Dave Nelson, a farmer from Belmond, Iowa who served as the Corn Board liaison for the NCGA Research and Business Development Action Team, the Ethanol Committee and the Biotechnology Working Group, and as NCGA’s liaison to the National Pork Producers Council.
“During my years on the Corn Board, we saw some very good times for corn growers,” Dave said. “We saw the market for corn expand and ethanol become a mainstay, both utilizing corn and marrying with the livestock industry in the use of distillers dried grains as a valuable feed source.”
Listen to Dave’s comments here: Dave Nelson
More info from NCGA here.
What is not to like about finding CommonGround? National Corn Growers Association Communications Manager Cathryn Wojciki recently did a post on Corn Commentary about how farmers can start a conversation with a simple photo.
From Main Street to MTV, everyone is talking about food. Unfortunately, this conversation does not often include the people who grow it. CommonGround Conversations creates a space for America’s farm families, and the people who support them, to share the story. Here, we have a meeting ground that will let you discover the values and hard work that underlie our nation’s abundant, safe harvest. Help us share our story! By submitting photos of yourself, family and friends waving at the camera, join your voice with like-minded people to open a national dialogue saying, “Hi! I support farmers. Let’s talk about how we grow our food.”
Now’s your chance to join in on the CommonGround movement and let your voice be heard.
Right now, the movement is growing. Help us find the CommonGround between the people who grow food and those who buy it. Start today on CommonGround’s Facebook fan page. Here’s how to join the conversation:
- “Like” the CommonGround fan page.
- Take a photo of yourself, your friends or your family waving as if to say, “When you want to talk about food, talk to a farmer.”
- Click here to submit your story and photo.
Learn More About CommonGround
The National Corn Growers Association has officially unveiled its idea for a new disaster assistance title in the next farm bill.
NCGA is proposing the Agriculture Disaster Assistance Program (ADAP) “that will modify and replace the existing Average Crop Revenue Election Program and provide a more effective and responsive safety net for growers.”
“Responding to a charge by our voting delegates to investigate transitioning direct payments into programs that allow producers the ability to mitigate risk, our grower-led Public Policy Action Team developed a crop-specific, revenue-based risk management tool that provides a safety net when growers are facing a loss,” said NCGA President Bart Schott. “We are focusing on simplification and faster delivery of assistance when it is needed.”
ADAP builds on the existing structure of ACRE and is designed to address the need for simplification and elimination of overlapping coverage with individual crop insurance. Changes include the use of harvest prices and crop reporting districts to set the crop revenue guarantee and would establish a guarantee based on the five-year Olympic average of revenue.
Read more here.
I talked to NCGA first vice president Garry Niemeyer at the Farm Progress Show about what they want to see in a new farm bill. “We’re really interested in a farm bill that provides critical assistance to farmers when they face a loss due to adverse weather, crop diseases and volatile markets,” Garry said, adding that the NCGA team was working on ways to upgrade ACRE. “Since that is part of what we started a year ago, get it fine tuned, and get an ACRE program that will work.”
I posted my interview with Garry earlier, but you can listen to or download it again here. NCGA 1st VP Garry Niemeyer
2011 Farm Progress Show Photo Album
The media tent is always a great place for people in the industry to catch up with each other – like Renewable Fuels Association president and CEO Bob Dinneen and National Corn Growers Association incoming president Garry Niemeyer of Auburn, Illinois.
I talked with both of them about challenges in Washington, ethanol policies, and the ability of corn growers to meet all demands even in the toughest weather years.
Bob is frustrated with the climate in Washington and the inability of Congress to get anything done, but he is always amazed by the ability of the nation’s farmers to do their job. “The fact of the matter is, the American farmer is the most productive and efficient in the world,” Bob says. “We will get through this and there will be enough supply to meet the needs for grain that exist.”
Listen to or download my interview with Bob here. RFA CEO Bob Dinneen
Garry says he expects his corn crop this year to be just about average and he notes that the latest USDA forecast still expects the corn crop to be the third largest in history. “Can you imagine what it would be like if we had 1980 hybrids during this type of a weather situation? We probably would be looking at a disaster,” Garry said. “That’s the importance of this show. We’re here looking at the technology in seed, machinery, guidance systems … we have the tools to do it but Mother Nature could help out a little better!”
Listen to or download my interview with Garry here. NCGA 1st VP Garry Niemeyer
2011 Farm Progress Show Photo Album
Farm Progress Show is always a great venue for policy makers to meet with farmers and talk about issues important to them, like a new farm bill and government regulations.
National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) First Vice President Garry Niemeyer brought his own U.S. Representative Bobby Schilling (R-IL) in for a press conference on Tuesday to share some of perspectives as a freshman congressman and new member of the House Agriculture Committee. “I think as most people are aware, it’s been quite a storm in Washington DC the last seven months,” Schilling said. “Coming out of the business sector right into Congress, it’s been quite frustrating for me to see what’s happening in our nation’s capitol.”
As far as the Farm Bill is concerned, Schilling says the “super committee” on reducing the deficit may make decisions that will impact farm programs so the agriculture committee needs to make recommendations on how spending could be cut. “Because if we don’t they will just go after dollar amounts without looking at where appropriate cuts could be made,” he said.
Listen to some of Congressman Schilling’s comments during the press conference here. Cong. Bobby Schilling
Congressman Tim Johnson (R-IL), who also serves on the House Agriculture Committee, came by the Farm Progress Show on Wednesday to visit with leadership of the Illinois corn and soybean growers associations. He is pictured here(striped shirt) with Illinois Soybean Association (ASA) treasurer Doug Winter, Illinois Corn Growers president Jim Reed and ISA president Matt Hughes.
Johnson says he is optimistic that they can come up with a Farm Bill that is workable, meets budget constraints and still has a safety net for farmers. “And we need to make sure the House Agriculture Committee and people who know American agriculture are the people framing policy,” Johnson said.
Johnson also shares the concerns that farmers in the state have about government regulations making it more difficult to farm. “USDA, USDOT and most particularly EPA tying our left hand is a real burden,” he said. “This administration more than any other administration in history has done more to damage the ability of farmers to make a living.”
Meghan Grebner of Brownfield Ag News and I interviewed Cong. Johnson together. Cong. Tim Johnson
2011 Farm Progress Show Photo Album
Start your engines, NASCAR fans, because the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) and Pioneer HI-Bred are offering NCGA members a chance to win a NASCAR dream day to the Irwin Tools Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway, Bristol, Tenn., on Saturday, Aug. 27.
The dream day race package includes access to the DuPont-Pioneer hospitality tent, a pit tour, and a visit with racing legend Jeff Gordon. To enter, just visit www.ncga.com/racing and sign up for NASCAR-NCGA’s Fuel for Members Program before 12 pm central time this Friday, Aug. 5. The winner will be randomly selected from those NCGA members who have signed up for the Fuel for Members program.
Fuel for Members is one of the benefits of belonging to NCGA and state corn grower associations, providing exclusive access to discounted NASCAR tickets and merchandise and insider access to America’s most popular sport. Plus, members receive discounts on goods and services from a wide range of NASCAR partners including: UPS, DirecTV, Office Depot and MGM Resorts.
NCGA is part of the American Ethanol partnership with NASCAR, which began racing on 15% ethanol this season.
Don’t delay – sign up today!
Corn growers still have a few more days to submit entries for this year’s National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) National Corn Yield Contest.
Due to widespread planting delays, the final entry deadline for the popular contest was extended an extra 10 days, to July 25. Entries must be submitted online or postmarked on or before that date and are subject to the standard entry fee of $110 per entry, according to NCGA.
“It was a late, long planting season for many growers throughout the Corn Belt,” said Steve Ebke, chairman of the Production and Stewardship Action Team. “At NCGA, we recognize the strain farmers experience while attempting to get the crop in the ground. Furthermore, early delays can cause tasks to pile up. We want every grower interested to have an opportunity to participate in the contest and hope that by extending the deadline we make it easier for them to do so.”
Winners receive national recognition in publications such as the NCYC Corn Yield Guide, as well as cash trips or other awards from participating sponsoring seed, chemical and crop protection companies. In Nashville, Tenn., during the 2012 Commodity Classic, state winners will be presented awards at the NCYC Breakfast and national winners will receive awards at the Awards Banquet.
Find out all the important info about the NCYC on-line here.
National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) President Bart Schott and his wife Linsey of Kulm, ND were pleased to present this year’s NCGA President’s Award to their Senator Kent Conrad (D-N.D.) during Corn Congress events this week in Washington. The President’s Award is given annually to a leader who has worked to advance issues important to corn growers and agriculture.
“I have had the privilege of working with Senator Conrad for several years both on the state and national levels,” NCGA President Bart Schott, a grower from Kulm, N.D., said. “NCGA greatly appreciates his continued leadership and support for the agriculture community, including his work on biofuels legislation and two previous farm bills.”
“I am honored to receive this award from the National Corn Growers Association,”Sen. Conrad said. “America’s agriculture producers are the backbone of our nation. They deliver the safest, healthiest and least expensive food supply anywhere in the world.”
Senator Conrad is a fifth-generation North Dakotan and has represented his home state in Washington for five successive elections. During his 20-plus years as an advocate for North Dakota and agriculture, Senator Conrad helped write the 2002 and 2008 farm bills and fought unfair trade practices that hurt North Dakota’s economy. He has also introduced comprehensive energy legislation that would make the United States more energy independent.
I am attending the 2011 Fuel Ethanol Workshop which is being held in Indianapolis, IN. It’s the “technical” conference for the industry where lots of the latest in technology and processes are presented in multiple, simultaneous workshops. This morning it was also where the 2011 FEW High Octane Award was presented.
Receiving the award is Rick Tolman, CEO, National Corn Growers Association. The award was presented by Tom Bryan, BBI International. Rick made a few comments about working in support of the industry. He says there are three main reasons for why he does it. First, it’s the economy, to take some of the money that’s going overseas and invest it in rural America. Then it’s the environment, trying to bring the reality of a clean, renewable energy source to the U.S. and reduce our GHG emissions. And third it’s national security, to bring home the men and women overseas trying to protect the flow of oil. You can listen to or download his remarks here: Rick Tolman Award Remarks
You will find much more coverage of the 2011 FEW over on our sister website, Domestic Fuel. Feel free to follow the Twitter hashtag, #FEW11 too.
2011 FEW Photo Album
Our coverage of the 2011 Fuel Ethanol Workshop is being made possible by the Renewable Fuels Association.
The early registration deadline is coming up this Saturday for the National Corn Yield Contest conducted by the National Corn Growers Association. Get your entry in now and save $80 or wait and pay more later 
. Growers can do it online now.
“With the early registration deadline approaching rapidly, it is a great time for entrants to try out the new online submission system,” said Production and Stewardship Action Team Chair Steve Ebke. “The software streamlines the process, saving both time and, until Saturday, money.”
The new software allows growers to enter the contest and join NCGA and their state association. The web-based system simplifies data submission, allows users to view their submissions at any time and will allow for quick, efficient use of contest data.
Seed representatives and entrants are welcome to enter through this new platform. Current members should have their NCGA membership ID ready. Non-members wishing to participate can quickly fill out the online membership profile and enter immediately following completion of this form. Registration will continue until July 15, with entries not meeting the June 25 deadline available at the full $110 rate.
Click here for more information, rules and forms.
An amendment to end the ethanol blenders tax credit (VEETC) passed the Senate today by 73 to 27, a vote that some agricultural groups applaud while some denounce, while the ethanol industry says it is unlikely to matter.
“Today the Senate voted against rural America and domestic, renewable energy, and in favor of more foreign oil,” said National Corn Growers Association President Bart Schott of North Dakota.
The Renewable Fuels Association calls the vote disappointing but “ultimately inconsequential” since the underlying economic development bill to which this amendment is attached is “unlikely to make it to the president’s desk.” American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) Executive Vice President Brian Jennings added that the votes are “symbolic and will not become law. The ethanol industry notes that just last month, the Senate voted to protect tax subsidies for the oil industry. “Ironically, the United States Senate has spent the better part of a week on an amendment that is unconstitutional and going nowhere, even while the news pours in that OPEC has hit a high-water mark of $1 trillion in revenues,” said Growth Energy CEO Tom Buis
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says the Obama administration opposes an abrupt end to the VEETC. “We need reforms and a smarter biofuels program, but simply cutting off support for the industry isn’t the right approach. Therefore, we oppose a straight repeal of the Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Credit (VEETC) and efforts to block biofuels infrastructure programs.”
On the other side of the corn field, National Cattlemens Beef Association (NCBA) President Bill Donald called the vote “a giant step toward leveling the playing field for a bushel of corn” noting that cattle producers “support our nation’s commitment to reducing our dependence on foreign oil. But after 30 years and more than $30 billion in taxpayer support, the day has come to let the mature corn-based ethanol industry stand on its own two feet.”
A coalition of groups, including food retailers, poultry organizations and environmental interests also applauded the vote as “the start of a new era for U.S. biofuels policy.”
Immediately after the vote to end the VEETC, senators defeated an amendment that would have stopped federal funding for ethanol blender pumps by a vote of 41 to 59. At the same time, the House approved an amendment to the ag appropriations bill for the same thing by 283 to 128. The appropriations measure must still go through the Senate and is likely to change there.
An Iowa farm woman is on track to be the first female president of the National Corn Growers Association next year.
The National Corn Growers Association Corn Board today elected Pam Johnson of Iowa to become the organization’s first vice president for the next fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1. When she becomes NCGA president in October 2012, Johnson will be the first woman to lead NCGA.
Johnson farms with her husband and two sons, raises corn and soybeans on a 2,700-acre farm in Floyd, Iowa. They also manage a seed business and are members in value-added businesses such as ethanol and biodiesel. Johnson is the board liaison to the NCGA Grower Services Action Team and has served on the Finance Committee and has chaired both the Bylaws Committee and the NCGA Research and Business Development Action Team.
Pam has already shown herself to be an advocate for agriculture and a leader in the industry. I interviewed her at Commodity Classic this year about how she stood up for women in agriculture in response to criticism by the Environmental Working Group. As liaison to the Grower Services Action Team, Pam had the pleasure at the Classic of presenting five college students with $1,000 scholarships as part of the NCGA Academic Excellence in Agriculture Scholarship Program sponsored by BASF Crop Protection.
Chuck also interviewed Pam last fall during the TATT Global Farmer to Farmer Roundtable in Des Moines.
American Ethanol was prominently displayed at the Kansas Speedway on Sunday for the inaugural Sprint Cup Series STP 400 race.
The American Ethanol logo and paint scheme was on Clint Bowyer’s No. 33 Chevrolet and larger than life along the backstretch wall of the 1.5-mile Kansas Speedway to spotlight the partnership between the National Corn Growers, ethanol and NASCAR, which switched to a 15% ethanol blend for fuel in all series this year.
About 1200 farmers and ethanol producers from all over the country were there to cheer on Bowyer, following his first place win Saturday in the Camping World Truck Series, including National Corn Growers Association president Bart Schott (right) of North Dakota and NCGA chairman Darrin Ihnen of South Dakota.
“This is the kick off and we’ve been waiting for it to come,” Bart said on Sunday. “NASCAR has an 80 million fan base that is getting some real positive messages on burning a higher blend of ethanol.”
Darrin says educating fans about agriculture and ethanol is the main goal of the corn growers involvement in NASCAR, especially how it is helping make the country less dependent on foreign oil. “The NASCAR fans, when they were polled, energy security is one of their major concerns,” said Ihnen.
I asked them how the planting season has been so far on their farms and Bart says he managed to plant more corn than he expected and is almost done with soybean. Darrin has been in delay mode thanks to excessive moisture, but he’s not worried. “It’s a long season,” Darrin said.
Listen to or download my interview with Bart and Darrin here: National Corn Growers at Kansas Speedway
This was my first NASCAR race ever and I made it through with only sore muscles and a pretty good sunburn. It was interesting – very loud and very hot! – but I really liked the challenge of taking photos of fast cars on a track and thanks to the National Corn Growers for really making it a great day at the races! There’s more stories from the race on Domestic Fuel and Corn Commentary.
See all the race photos here: American Ethanol at NASCAR Sprint Cup STP 400
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In this week's program Chuck talks with Mike Adams, AgriTalk.
