Indy Racing League And Ethanol

Chuck Zimmerman

The CEO of the Indy Racing League is Randy Bernard, seen shaking hands with Iowa Corn Growers CEO, Craig Floss, during last weekend’s Iowa Corn Indy 250 activities. I spoke with Randy who says that the League has been working to create a lot more buzz and excitement this year. Judging by the sell out crowd for the Iowa race, things must be working.

I asked him to comment on the relationship with Pioneer and the Iowa Corn Growers. He said, “The fact that we’ve got a great title sponsor here with Iowa Corn Growers and that we run ethanol . . . this is the type of sponsor that we love to be working with because ethanol is a very important part of our business and next year we’re going to E85 to show pump relevancy.”

You can listen to my interview with Randy here: Randy Bernard Interview

2011 Iowa Corn Indy 250 Photo Album

Ag Groups, Audio, Corn, Indy Racing, Pioneer

NAMA Will Miss Iowa Farm Photographer

Cindy Zimmerman

We were shocked to hear this week of the passing of National Agri-Marketing Association friend Denny Eilers, the Iowa Photo Farm photographer. The news came from the NAMA e-Newsletter:

A Cornbelt NAMA member since 1990, Denny has been the photographer for many NAMA Agri-Marketing Conferences and will be greatly missed.

The Iowa Photo Farm was operated by Denny and Gwen Eilers. Denny served as chief photographer and Gwen was the business and production manager. They were located on a working farm in scenic northeast Iowa, raising corn, soybeans and a variety of locally grown vegetable crops.

Denny died Sunday, June 26, 2011, at Central Community Hospital, Elkader.

Services for Denny will be at 10:00 a.m. Friday, July 1, at St. Patrick Catholic Church, Monona, IA. Arrangements are being handled by Leonard Funeral Home of Dubuque.

If you do a search for Denny here on AgWired, you will find lots of his photos from the NAMA conventions. We had a great working relationship with him at those events and Chuck took the photo here of Denny at the 2011 NAMA. We will definitely miss him.

Grant him eternal rest, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him.

NAMA

Growers Vote To Continue Cranberry Marketing Order

Chuck Zimmerman

Cranberry growers have voted to continue their federal marketing order program. Producers in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, Oregon, Washington and Long Island, N.Y., voted.

During the referendum, 512 eligible producers cast valid ballots. Of these producers, there were 390 (or 76.1 percent) representing more than 3.5 million barrels of cranberries (76.1 percent of total volume), who favored continuance of the order. Producers voting to discontinue the order totaled 122 (or 23.8 percent) and represented slightly more than 1.1 million barrels of cranberries (23.8 percent of total volume).

“Cranberries are an important specialty crop,” said Agricultural Marketing Service Administrator Rayne Pegg. “This continuance will provide opportunities to expand cranberry markets and help growers thrive.”

The marketing order requires that a continuance referendum be held every four years during the month of May. USDA would not consider terminating the order if continuance is favored by more than 50 percent of the growers voting in the referendum, provided that these growers represent more than 50 percent of the cranberry volume represented in the referendum.

Thank you America’s cranberry growers for all you do in producing safe, affordable food!

Ag Groups

Ethanol Industry Upbeat

Chuck Zimmerman

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 event yesterday.

Tom says the technical sessions were extremely well attended. In fact, chairs had to be added to some of them due to the attendance in them. He says there were over 2,000 in attendance this year. That may not be as high as several years ago but shows that the industry is resilient and upbeat for the future. Tom Bryan Interview

You can find more story posts from the 2011 FEW on our Domestic Fuel website.

2011 FEW Photo Album

Our coverage of the 2011 Fuel Ethanol Workshop is being made possible by the Renewable Fuels Association.

Audio, Ethanol

You said how much?

Melissa Sandfort

Let’s just say there are 8 pounds of water in 1 gallon. (It’s 8.34 but round numbers are easier.)

Let’s say this #3 butter churn is 3 gallons. That’s 24 pounds of butter, assuming butter and water weigh the same.

Let’s say this #4 butter churn is 4 gallons. That’s 128 sticks of butter. (1 pound of butter = 4 sticks)

Did I just do the math right? Mr. Smith, can you check my answer please?

Now tell me this – who doesn’t love butter? What isn’t better with butter? Take that one step further and where do we get the cream for that butter? Cows. That’s right folks, cows. Those brown-eyed beauties that some folks deem stinky and not for human consumption provide us all the good stuff we need to make butter. Aaahhhh, so now you’re saying a little stink is worth it for butter?

I hope I never hear my son “udder” the question, “where does that milk and cheese and butter come from” while in a grocery store. Although, daddy already taught him how to tell a bull from a cow, so I think I’m safe.

Until we walk again …

Uncategorized

GIPSA Dominates Senate Committee Hearing

Cindy Zimmerman

The topic of the hearing before the Senate Agriculture Committee yesterday was “The State of Livestock in America” but much of the testimony centered around USDA’s controversial Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyard’s Administration (GIPSA) proposal.

In a strong statement at the start of the hearing, ranking member Senator Pat Roberts (R-KS) said that GIPSA proposal is in direct opposition to the intent of Congress under the 2008 Farm Bill.

“As a result, we are looking at a proposed rule that is undoubtedly significant in its economic impact and which threatens to undo years of livestock marketing arrangements that have benefited both livestock producers and consumers,” said Roberts. “At a time when many talk about how agriculture is going to help lead the rebound for our economic recovery, it makes no sense to me why we would try to hamstring this industry, and take away marketing tools that will have far reaching implications in both the domestic and international marketplace.”

Watch Roberts get fired up about GIPSA here:

GIPSA, Video

What G20 Ag Ministers Can Do

Chuck Zimmerman

Our latest ZimmPoll asked, “What can G20 ag ministers do to stabilize food prices?” The answer is Nothing, 31%; Increase productivity, 23%; End biofuels production, 18%; Regulate markets, 17%; Improve crop reporting, 8% and Stockpile food, 3%. Can they actually do any of these things? Well, I guess they can do nothing. They met recently and did come up with “a plan.” Interestingly, stockpiling food is part of their plan. Hmm . . .

Our new ZimmPoll is now live. We’re asking the question, “What do you think of USDA’s proposed GIPSA rule?” Let us know what you think. Don’t know much about GIPSA? Check out this link to find a series of posts on the subject.

ZimmPoll is sponsored by Rhea+Kaiser, a full-service advertising/public relations agency.

ZimmPoll

Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort

    Zimfo Bytes

    NCGA’s Tolman Receives FEW High Octane Award

    Chuck Zimmerman

    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.

    Ag Groups, Biofuels, Corn, Ethanol, NCGA

    Boats Go Fast on Ethanol

    Cindy Zimmerman

    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 to help dispel concerns about the use of ethanol fuel in boat engines. The partnership includes the use of the RFA “Fueled with Pride” logo on signage around the racing events, as well as on all the racing boats and haulers.

    See more photos from the race here: NBRA Ethanol Boat Race

    All of the boats that race in NBRA competitions around the country this year have to prove they are using 10 percent ethanol fuel in order to be eligible for additional prize money in the race. “We test all the fuel before the race and then the top three entries in any class are tested when they come in to make sure they are running ethanol,” said NBRA president Dan Crummett – yes, the same Dan Crummett who might be better known to the Agwired audience as Executive Editor for Farm Progress Companies.

    The NBRA races include a number of different classes of hydroplanes and runabouts with stock and modified outboards that run as fast as 96 miles per hour. Crummett says most of the issues that boaters experience when using ethanol-blended fuel can be addressed with better maintenance. “Any fuel will degrade over not a long period of time once the oil is mixed in it,” he says, which is why it’s so important for boaters to avoid leaving fuel set n the tank for an extended time.

    Listen to my interview with Dan Crummett here: NBRA President Dan Crummett

    Each race in each class is just three laps around a relatively small course – but really, really fast! Take a look in the video below:

    Corn, Ethanol, RFA