Corn Stover Could Generate Electricity

Cindy Zimmerman

Corn biomass residue. Photo Credit: Joanna Schroeder

Two new studies show that generating energy from corn stover biomass could create a new market for farmers and increase the value of ethanol by reducing its overall carbon footprint. The studies are based on the premise that the crop residue left behind in the fields after corn to be used for ethanol is harvested.

Iowa-based Regional Strategic, Ltd. examined the economic impact of collecting, processing, and delivering corn stover byproducts of ethanol – the stalks, leaves, and stems of corn plants – for use in generating electricity. The stover is compressed into biomass pellets that can be burned like coal in existing power plants, reducing CO2 emissions and increasing renewable energy supplies. This is similar to the use of wood pellets in European power plants.

The studies were commissioned by Larksen LLC, an affiliate of Trestle Energy, a California-based biofuel company specializing in low carbon production system. Larksen estimates that corn grown for ethanol in the six major ethanol-producing states “could yield roughly 44 million tons of harvestable corn stover per year. It is conceivable that this stover could replace around 37 million tons of coal used for electricity generation.”

However, the economic studies are based on harvesting all leftover crop residue from corn going to ethanol production and do not appear to take into consideration the conservation benefits of corn stover and crop residue, much of which is left in the fields for no-till or low-tillage farming operations.

Link to report summary.

Biofuels, Corn, Energy, Ethanol

Zimfo Bytes 9/22

Kelly Marshall

  • Tractor Supply Company is partnering with the National FFA Foundation by selling 2017 National FFA Convention themed shirts.  Customers can now purchase these limited edition shirts for $12.99 at Tractor Supply stores to benefit the National FFA platform, “Living to Serve.”
  • Al Carstens, a 35 year member of the National Association of Farm Broadcasting, has passed away. Carstens had been with KATE Radio since 1964 and became Farm Director in the early 80s.
  • The National Corn Growers Association would like to remind farmers that online harvest forms for the 2017 National Corn Yield Contest are available for those who entered the contest.  Deadlines will sneak up during this busy harvest time, so make note that reports are due within two weeks of the final yield check, or November 17, whichever comes first.
  • John Jenkinson joins the Rural Media Group news team as Markets Editor for RFD-TV and Rural Radio Channel 147 on SiriusXM  He brings more than 20 years of reporting experience to the position.
  • After more than 34 years with the company, DTN Chief Executive Officer Ron Sznaider is retiring as CEO effective Oct. 1, 2017.  Kip Pendleton, senior vice president-Agriculture, will replace Sznaider as CEO.
Zimfo Bytes

NAMA Going Full Throttle in Milwaukee

Cindy Zimmerman

There are over 180 agri-marketing professionals here in Milwaukee this week for the 2017 NAMA Fall Conference, and 30 of those are new members, which makes NAMA president Amy Bradford very happy.

“It is one of the higher new member numbers we’ve had at a conference,” said Bradford, who is Corporate Relations Manager for GROWMARK. “We’re making a concerted effort to recruit new members.”

Much of the Fall Conference is a focus on the next generation, from raising money for the Agri-Business Educational Fund (ABEF), to encouraging young professionals in their first jobs.

In this interview, Amy talks about the fall conference focus on social media, the new NAMA 60th anniversary website to be launched very soon, and why you should be a member of NAMA, if you are not already! Interview with NAMA president Amy Bradford, GROWMARK

2017 NAMA Fall Conference photo album

Audio, GROWMARK, NAMA

CREAATE Act Would Promote Ag Exports

Cindy Zimmerman

U.S. Senators Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Angus King (I-Maine), Joe Donnelly (D-IN), and Susan Collins (R-ME) introduced bipartisan legislation this week that would increase funding to USDA’s export promotion programs.

The Cultivating Revitalization by Expanding American Agricultural Trade and Exports (CREAATE) Act would double funding for two of the USDA’s most successful programs, the Market Access Program (MAP) and Foreign Market Development Program (FMDP) over five years.

“As American farmers and ranchers are struggling with historically low commodity prices, maintaining and strengthening U.S. trade relationships around the world is critical to the survival and profitability of the agricultural community,” said Senator Ernst.

The bill has the support of agricultural groups like the National Corn Growers Association and American Soybean Association, as well as agricultural trade coalitions made up of a number of organizations. Members of the Coalition to Promote U.S. Agricultural Exports and the Agribusiness Coalition for Foreign Market Development both strongly support the legislation noting that funding for USDA export programs have stagnated over the years due to inflation, sequestration, administrative costs and increased global competition. CREAATE calls for phasing in additional annual funding for MAP to $400 million in FY 2023 and additional annual funding for FMD to $69 million in FY 2023. The coalitions cite research that found increased public funding for MAP and FMD, coupled with increasing private contributions from farmers and others, would increase average annual agricultural export value by $3.4 to $4.5 billion and increase farm cash income by $500 million to $700 million.

The introduction of the CREAATE Act in the Senate follows the House version, H.R. 2321, introduced May 3 by Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) and Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-ME).

Ag Groups, International, Trade

Senate Ag Committee Hears from USDA Nominees

Cindy Zimmerman

Nine months into the Trump Administration and the Senate Agriculture Committee just held a hearing this week on the first two nominees to help out Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue at the USDA.

The committee heard from Stephen Censky, long time CEO of the American Soybean Association nominated to be Deputy Secretary of Agriculture; and Indiana Director of Agriculture Ted McKinney, nominated for the new position of Under Secretary of Agriculture for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs.

Both farm boys with a long history of service in the agriculture industry, the two nominees are not controversial and are expected to be approved whenever the Senate gets around to it.

Here are opening statements from the two nominees at the hearing on Tuesday: Censky and McKinney opening statements

AgWired Animal, AgWired Precision, Audio, USDA

Bayer’s Condon Answers Questions About Future Goals

Carrie Muehling

This week Chuck is traveling with Bayer for the 2017 Bayer Future of Farming Dialog taking place in Monheim, Germany. The U.S. delegation of journalists had the opportunity to visit further with Liam Condon, President, Crop Science, a division of Bayer, following his executive address. Condon talks about goals for the company moving forward.

“The most important thing is what the combined new company is going to stand for,” says Condon. “It’s all about generating more innovation faster that will benefit our growers and help them improve their yields, but also their profitability.”

Condon says the company also wants to help growers work in the most sustainable way possible and wants to make whatever innovations the company is generating available to farmers of all sizes. While he wouldn’t reveal a new name for the company, Condon says that will be clear on the first day the merger is complete.

Listen to the full interview with Bayer’s Liam Condon here: Liam Condon, Bayer

2017 Future of Farming Dialog Photo Album

Agribusiness, Audio, Bayer

Precision Ag Bytes 9/20

Kelly Marshall

  • The Things Network is working to build a global Internet of Things network.  They took a step closer to that goal when they helped a team of collaborating companies connect a Vinduino agricultural sensor station to the eVineyard application via a long-range wireless data connection.
  • The Purdue Agricultural Data Engine (PADE) is a new, online tool developed by Purdue University engineering professor, Dharmendra Saraswat, that allows farmers to process data from their fields without the need to share information with a third-party company.
  • The premier golf and sports turn brand in the BRANDT product portfolio is being re-named.  Grigg Brothers will now be known simple as GRIGG.
  • Matt Hesse will serve as the Chief Executive Officer at FieldReveal, a joint venture created by Wheat Growers, Landus Cooperative, Central Valley Ag and WinField United to provide the next generation of precision agriculture tools and capabilities.
AgWired Precision, Precision Ag Bytes

Corn Progress Lagging

Cindy Zimmerman

About seven percent of the nation’s corn crop has been harvested so far, but maturity of the crop is running behind average.

Less corn acres have reached the dented or mature stage than the five-year average according to the latest USDA crop progress report. With 86 percent of total corn acres dented by September 17 and mature acres at only 34 percent, corn progress trails the five-year average by four and 13 percentage points respectively.

The number of corn acres harvested also is running about four percent behind last year, given maturity delays. Crop condition remained the same as last week, with 61 percent in good or excellent condition, but that is 13 percent lower than last year at this time.

Corn, USDA

Executive Address From Liam Condon, Bayer

Chuck Zimmerman

During the 2017 Bayer Future Farming Dialog we heard an address from Liam Condon, President, Crop Science, a division of Bayer.

Focusing in his speech on sustainable agriculture, Liam Condon also reaffirmed the commitment of the Crop Science Division to investing in innovation and developing customized agronomic solutions for farmers that address their individual needs and challenges.

In this context, Condon emphasized that the proposed acquisition of Monsanto presents a tremendous opportunity to positively shape the future of farming. “It is our responsibility to ensure that innovation is made available to farmers large and small, all over the world. Only then can we make a meaningful contribution to ensuring a sustainable world food system.”

Condon says that the current expectation of closing the acquisition of Monsanto is in early 2018.

Please listen to Liam’s address to hear more: Liam Condon Address

I broadcast the address live on the AgWired Facebook page (about 3am Central time U.S.) and you can watch it below:


2017 Future of Farming Dialog Photo Album

Agribusiness, AgWired Precision, Audio, Bayer

Moving Beyond “Farm to Table” Discussion

Chuck Zimmerman

During the 2017 Bayer Future of Farming Dialog the first panel discussion focused on Moving Beyond “Farm to Table”: Understanding the Food Supply Chain. Moderating was Stephan Brunner, who works on food chain partnerships for Bayer. Also on the panel are Karen Buch, RDN, LDN, President/Founder, Nutrition Connections; Ben Burgers, Food Safety Manager/Agronomist, Roveg Fruit BV; Andreas Lenz, Managing Director, DHL Food Logistics and Wilbert van Wijk, Grower, Van Wijk Fruit.

In the discussion you’ll hear their ideas on what will be needed in the future for a successful agricultural supply chain for all stakeholders. In my interview with Stephan he sums up some of the key points or take aways from the panel.

First panel discussion: Moving Beyond “Farm to Table”: Understanding the Food Supply Chain – Panel Discussion #1

First panel moderator – Stephan Brunner, Global Key Relations Manager, Crop Science, a division of Bayer – Takeaways: Interview with Stephan Brunner, Bayer

2017 Future of Farming Dialog Photo Album

Agribusiness, AgWired Precision, Audio, Bayer, Farming, Food