Legendary seedsman Don Funk, founder of Channel Bio Corp, is leading a team to relaunch the NC+ brand to serve western corn, soybean and sorghum growers. NC+ was started in 1958 as a production and marketing organization for farmers to work together as a group rather than individuals to merchandise and grow seed. The original 56 growers merchandised their seed …
RFA Welcomes New Communications Director
The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) welcomes new Communications Director Ken Colombini to its staff this week. Colombini will work out of RFA’s headquarters in suburban St. Louis and will be responsible for the development and implementation of a broad range of communications strategies and tactics to support RFA’s mission and objectives. Colombini has been a free-lance communications consultant since 2016, …
NCGA Promotes Corn in Pet Food
The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) was on hand to talk with those attending the recent Petfood Forum in Kansas City. More than 3,000 people from 38 countries took part in the event. “The U.S. is the top pet food market in the world, and retail sales are actually expected to top $39 billion by 2023,” said Sarah McKay, director …
U.S. Grains Council Board Names Next President And CEO
U.S. Grains Council (USGC) Director in Mexico Ryan LeGrand has been named as its next president and chief executive officer, effective next month. LeGrand joined the organization in Mexico in 2015 and has served as the director of the Council’s Mexico City office since 2016. In this capacity, he has overseen the expansion of the Council’s programming in that country …
Groups Submit Comments on E15/RIN Reform Proposal
Biofuel stakeholders want EPA to get rid of the excess baggage and get E15 to the finish line before summer driving season starts. he comment period on EPA’s proposed rule “Modifications to Fuel Regulations to Provide Flexibility for E15; Modifications to RFS RIN Market Regulations” ended Monday with major organizations sending theirs at the end of the day. Renewable Fuels …
Farmers Expected to Plant More Corn, Record Low Wheat
More corn, but less soybeans, wheat and cotton is USDA’s forecast for Prospective Plantings this season. The report released on Friday puts corn planted acres for this year at 92.8 million acres, up 4 percent or 3.66 million acres from last year. Soybean planted area for 2019 is estimated at 84.6 million acres, down 5 percent from last year. All …
Biofuels Advocates Testify at EPA Hearing
The Environmental Protection Agency held a hearing Friday on proposed regulatory changes related to retail sales of 15% ethanol blended fuel (E15) and the renewable identification number (RIN) compliance system Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program. Biofuels advocates, organization representatives and company officials testified at the hearing about the proposal and other related topics. Below are links to audio files from …
MillerCoors Suing Bud Light over Corn Syrup Ads
MillerCoors has now filed a lawsuit against Bud Light brand owner Anheuser-Busch over the controversial corn syrup commercials which farmers have complained about and which are still running, despite the company’s external efforts to mend fences with the agricultural community. “Anheuser-Busch is fearmongering over a common beer ingredient it uses in many of its own beers, as a fermentation aid …
New Waivers Hurt Corn and Ethanol Producers
Much to the dismay of farmers and ethanol producers, the Environmental Protection Agency has approved five more 2017 Small Refinery Exemptions to the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and is considering two more petitions for 2018 exemptions, bringing the total to 39. “It’s extremely disappointing and outrageous to see EPA once again allow oil refiners to undermine the RFS and hurt …
AMVAC Offers Insect Control Strategies
Corn Rootworm pressure has been building across the Midwest since 2016, indicating the pests may be learning ways to survive the traits that are meant to drive them away. Jim Lappin, AMVAC Crop Marketing Manager for the Corn and Soybean Portfolio, spent a lot of time at Commodity Classic talking with growers about strategies to get better control and better …