RFA Ethanol Podcast

USDA Report Reveals Planting Intentions

Cindy Zimmerman

USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) Prospective Plantings report released this week reveals producers intend to plant an estimated 91.1 million acres of corn in 2021, up less than 1% from last year, and 87.6 million acres of soybeans, up 5% from last year. Planted acreage intentions for corn are up or unchanged in 24 of the 48 estimating states. …

Corn, Soybean, USDA, Wheat

CUTC Moved to 2022

Chuck Zimmerman

The Corn Utilization & Technology Conference (CUTC) has been moved to June 6-8, 2022 and it is because of the continuing situation with COVID-19. What is definitely continuing are statements and posts from a variety of sources that seem to completely contradict each other. It is definitely a nightmare for meeting and event planners. On the one hand you have …

Ag Groups, Corn, CUTC, NCGA, Technology

Ethanol’s Role in a Net-Zero Future

Cindy Zimmerman

This edition of the Ethanol Report explores ethanol’s role as a “net-zero hero” with highlights from the 26th annual National Ethanol Conference (NEC). The report includes remarks from David MacIntosh, Environmental Health & Engineering Inc.; Stefan Unnasch with Life Cycle Associates; and Michael Berube, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Transportation, who all spoke at the 2021 NEC. In addition, we …

Audio, Corn, Environment, Ethanol, RFA

Digital Commodity Classic Attracts Thousands

Cindy Zimmerman

The 2021 Special Edition of Commodity Classic last week appears to have been a virtual success. According to the organizers, by Thursday, the total number of attendees was nearly 6,000, with more than 4,000 farms represented from 49 states and 24 countries. The online event concluded Friday with a live keynote address from USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack. If you missed …

Commodity Classic, Corn

China Starting to Buy U.S. Ethanol

Cindy Zimmerman

Reports that China is buying U.S. ethanol again sent a positive message to the industry Tuesday that the Phase One trade agreement promises may yet be met. During an investor call, Archer Daniels Midland Co-Chief Financial Officer Ray Young said they believe China has already made commitments “in the first half of the year for U.S. ethanol equal to the …

Audio, Corn, Ethanol, Exports, Trade

Agricultural Leaders Release Roadmap for Trade

Cindy Zimmerman

Farmers for Free Trade held a virtual press conference Tuesday to release a new report on the challenges and solutions for American agriculture on trade, supply chains and global competitiveness. The report is the culmination of a series of discussions across rural America with farmers, ag leaders and related industries including manufacturing and food producers and distributors. The report, organized …

Ag Groups, Agribusiness, AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Audio, Corn, Dairy, Pork, Trade

NK Corn Portfolio Offers Strong Genetics, Traits

Carrie Muehling

A focus on yield, consistency, and leveraging technology is bringing the NK corn portfolio into 2021, according to Joe Bollman, NK Corn Product Manager for Syngenta. “We have depth in our portfolio,” said Bollman, who participated in the National Association of Farm Broadcasting virtual Trade Talk event. “What that goes to show is that we’ve been doing a good job …

Audio, Corn, NAFB, Syngenta

#ASTACSS Sustainability Panel Features Familiar Iowa Farmer

Cindy Zimmerman

Sustainability is real for Iowa farmer and former National Corn Growers Association president Pam Johnson, a sixth-generation farmer who works with her husband, their two sons and their young families to produce corn and soybeans. “We can see with our own eyes how things have improved and that we’re able to do a better job year after year,” she says. …

ASTA, Audio, Corn, Sustainability

Syngenta Offers Advice for CRW Pressure

Cindy Zimmerman

Weakened roots due to corn rootworm (CRW) pressure helped to result in more downed corn in several Midwestern states this year from windstorms and the infamous derecho. Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska and South Dakota were among the states most affected this year, according to Syngenta. Other areas seeing heavier than normal CRW pressure this year included key rootworm geographies of northern …

Audio, Corn, Crop Protection, Insecticides, NAFB, Syngenta