- Illinois, in partnership with Ford Motor Company, is set to play a major role in advancing new clean vehicle technology with the introduction of Ford’s first of its kind E85 Hybrid Escape. Five of the 20 Ford E85 Hybrid’s in existence were delivered to the State of Illinois and the Illinois Corn Growers Association at the Farm Progress Show in Decatur, Illinois. Two additional vehicles are going to Commonwealth Edison.
- Grower leaders from opposite ends of the state have been elected to lead the Iowa Corn Promotion Board (ICPB) and the Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA) for the next year. Julius Schaaf, a grower from Randolph in Fremont County, has been named the new ICPB chair. Schaaf also represents Iowa with the U.S. Grains Council (USGC), where he currently leads the USGC’s Asia Advisory Team. Kyle Phillips, Knoxville, serves this year as the ICPB past chair, and Darrel McAlexander, Sidney, moves up to chair-elect. Tim Burrack, Arlington, joins the officer team as ICPB secretary/treasurer. Tim Recker, who raises corn, soybeans and hogs near Arlington in Fayette County, will serve as the new ICGA president. In addition to officer positions, Recker chairs the Iowa Corn Political Action Committee and serves as a delegate at NCGA’s policy conference. Bob Bowman, DeWitt, serves as the ICGA past president. Gary Edwards, Anamosa, advances to ICGA president-elect, and Don Elsbernd, Postville, is newly elected as the ICGA’s secretary/treasurer.
- Soybean producers growing Pioneer® brand low linolenic soybeans again will be able to receive an attractive premium for their crop at more than 115 locations across the heart of the Corn Belt. The market for low linolenic soybeans continues to expand, increasing contracting opportunities for growers. Low lin soybean growers will earn a premium of $.60 per bushel for on-farm storage of low linolenic soybeans and a premium of $.55 per bushel for harvest delivery. Additionally, growers can participate in an early purchase offer from Pioneer. With a purchase of 250 units of Pioneer low linolenic soybeans by Oct. 10, 2007, growers earn 25 free units. Contract growers also are eligible to earn a rebate on DuPontTM Asana® XL, Assure® II and PunchTM crop protection products from DuPont Crop Protection used on their 2008 Pioneer low linolenic soybean contract acres. The soybean oil from Pioneer brand soybeans is marketed as TREUSTM Low Linolenic Soybean Oil from the Bunge DuPont Biotech Alliance to food companies to help meet increasing demand to reduce or eliminate trans fats in products while preserving flavor and shelf life.
