Agricultural commodity prices are taking big hits from the COVID-19 emergency, and one of the most hard hit sectors is ethanol, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF). In the past month, dairy prices have dropped 26-36%, corn futures have dropped by 14%, soybean futures are down 8% and cotton futures have plummeted 31%. Hog futures are down by …
President Trump May Appeal Court Decision
Biofuel and agricultural organizations are up in arms over news reports out late Thursday saying President Trump is now planning to appeal the 10th Circuit Court decision regarding EPA’s granting of Small Refinery Exemptions (SREs). Oil state interests, led by Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), have been pressuring the White House to fight the unanimous court ruling that threatens to completely …
Farmers for Free Trade Rally for USMCA
Farmers for Free Trade brought its #MotorcadeForTrade to Washington D.C. Thursday to highlight the importance of ag trade with Canada and Mexico and the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) that Congress will consider to upgrade NAFTA. Members of Congress and farm leaders discussed how USMCA provides farmers with new market access while maintaining a zero-tariff platform, and stressed the need for Congressional …
EPA Officially Ditches the #WOTUS Rule
Agricultural organizations are celebrating the official repeal of a rule that they have been fighting since 2015 – Waters of the United States, better known as WOTUS. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler and Department of the Army Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works R.D. James announced that the agencies are repealing the rule and “recodifying the …
Commodity Classic Releases 2019 Schedule
Less than eight months to go ’til Commodity Classic 2019 – time to start getting prepared! The tentative schedule for the show to be held February 28 through March 2 in Orlando, has been released and includes extended trade show hours, a full slate of educational sessions, and the Main Stage on the trade show floor returns with presentations from …
Doggett Interim CEO for NCGA as Novak Joins CropLife America
Jon Doggett has been named interim CEO for the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) starting August 1, taking over for Chris Novak, who becomes president and CEO of CropLife America (CLA) in August. Novak will become just the fifth staff leader of CLA in its 85-year history on August 20. He replaces Jay Vroom, who has been CEO since 1989 …
Farm and Biofuel Groups Sue EPA Over Lost Gallons
A coalition of biofuel and agriculture groups have petitioned the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to change its regulations to “account for lost volumes of renewable fuel resulting from the unprecedented number of retroactive small refinery exemptions from Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) obligations recently granted by EPA.” The petitioners are the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE), Growth …
RFA Honors Farmer Ron Alverson with 2018 Industry Award
During the 23rd Annual National Ethanol Conference (NEC), farmer and ethanol plant founder Ron Alverson was presented the Renewable Fuels Association’s (RFA) 2018 Industry Award. The award is given annually to individuals that demonstrate great dedication and innovation within the industry. For more than 40 years, Alverson has grown corn and soybeans near Chester, S.D. He is a founding member …
State of the Industry – Ethanol Strong
The Reverend of Renewable Fuels took the stage at the 2018 National Ethanol Conference to give his annual State of the Ethanol Industry Address. Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) president and CEO Bob Dinneen said with confidence the state of U.S. ethanol is strong, because of the strong character of the people who call the ethanol community home. “I am more …
Missouri Farm Bureau Listening Session on #FarmBill18
The Missouri Farm Bureau held their annual meeting earlier this week and a highlight for many was the discussion on the 2018 Farm Bill. In a packed house, a Focus on the Farm Bill Seminar took place with Capitol Hill decision makers and thought-leaders in Missouri agriculture. Panelists: – Ranking Member House Ag Committee, Congressman Collin Peterson – Missouri Congresswoman …