Iowa corn farmers who attended the Iowa Corn Indy 250 got an exciting race, a sold out crowd and a nationally televised platform to showcase the performance value of ethanol. Over 2,500 growers were expected to be in attendance. I didn’t speak to all of them but I did speak with several. These are the people who are investing their …
Iowa’s Bill Northey Back From China Trip
Iowa’s Secretary of Agriculture, Bill Northey, was one of the corn growers attending the Iowa Corn Indy 250. Here he is in the photo being interviewed by Ken Root. I took my turn with him afterward. Bill spent two weeks in Korea and China visiting customers of U.S. farm products. He says they discussed and argued a little bit about …
Ethanol Industry Upbeat
I just got back from the 27th International Fuel Ethanol Workshop. It was a good time visiting with my friends in the renewable fuels industry. The mood is certainly better that it was a couple of years ago. That sentiment was noted by Tom Bryan, VP of BBI International, as well. I spoke with him near the conclusion of the …
NCGA’s Tolman Receives FEW High Octane Award
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 …
Boats Go Fast on Ethanol
Whoever says that ethanol hurts marine engines has never seen boats running at more than 80 miles an hour on E-10. Boat racers from coast to coast gathered this past weekend in the ethanol-producing town of Garnett, Kansas for the National Boat Racing Association (NBRA) “Garnett Ethanol Hydroplane Nationals.” The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) partnered with NBRA earlier this year …
Iowa Corn Indy 250 Won By Marco Andretti
In an American corn ethanol fueled race at Iowa Speedway, Marco Andretti wins the 2011 Iowa Corn Indy 250. Here he is in Victory Lane with 2nd place finisher Tony Kanaan and 3rd place Scott Dixon. Following Victory Lane Marco and his Dad, Michael, held the winners press conference. I asked him his thoughts on racing in front of 2,500 …
Young Iowa Corn Indy 250 Fans
I don’t know if these are future Iowa corn growers, Pioneer sales reps or IndyCar drivers. Whatever it is they’re having fun out here at Iowa Speedway. We’re getting ready for a great Indy race under the lights. The weather looks like it’s going to be okay and we’ve got a sold out crowd. I’ve been adding some green photos …
Pioneer Going Green For Iowa Corn Indy 250 Again
Here’s what the hood of the Iowa Corn Indy 250 official pace car looks like. It’s proudly displaying the Pioneer logo as the presenting sponsor. Todd says the relationship with the Iowa Corn Growers in sponsoring the Iowa Corn Indy 250 has been very beneficial. As he puts it, “It’s a great event for the state of Iowa. It’s great …
Boat Racing Powered by Ethanol
Ethanol will be in the spotlight this weekend as boat racing teams from more than twenty states will gather to compete at the National Boat Racing Association (NBRA) “Garnett Ethanol Hydroplane Nationals” this weekend, June 23-26 in Garnett, Kansas for a chance to break national straight away speed records using E10. The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) partnered with NBRA earlier …
Senate Votes to End Ethanol Blenders Tax Credit
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 …