At the 2019 Farm Progress Show, Bayer announced a $6 million gift over the next five years to support 4-H and FFA youth programs. “It’s no secret that U.S. agriculture is facing a lot of challenges right now, but there is no better time to invest in the future than now,” said Lisa Safarian, Head of Crop Science, North America. …
NCGA Tackles Waivers, Trade
While celebrating announcements about E-15, National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) 1st Vice President Kevin Ross had the opportunity to share a pointed message with President Trump last spring regarding small refinery exemptions. But recent news out of Washington, D.C. about Renewable Fuels Standard waivers has Ross declaring there is still work to do. “There’s time for them to do things …
Rep. Davis Visits Farm Progress Show
Rep. Rodney Davis (R-IL) spent time Tuesday in his own 13th District, visiting the Farm Progress Show in Decatur. Davis said the event is a great place to see farmers and agricultural companies alike, and recognized a level of displeasure in the agriculture industry when it comes to trade. He said a vote on the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) is …
US and Japan Shake on Trade Deal
During the G-7 summit in France Sunday, President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe shook hands on a deal “in principle” that involves agricultural products. “(We) have excess corn in various parts of our country, with our farmers, because China did not do what they said they were going to do,” said President Trump. “And Prime Minister Abe, …
GROWMARK Foundation to Provide FFA Jackets
After the unexpected passing of GROWMARK vice president and long-time employee Mike Builta in April 2019, the GROWMARK Foundation is helping his family to honor his memory by providing FFA jackets to FFA members in Illinois. “In the weeks and the days after his passing, his wife approached us and asked if the GROWMARK Foundation could become a place to …
Managing Costs During Tight Margins
Margins are tight in the ethanol industry, and for a number of reasons from political to regulatory to economic. John Christianson, Principal, Christianson PLLP, told those attending the 2019 American Coalition for Ethanol Conference that successful plants have to be strategic and focused. “It really comes down to leadership and it comes down to a laser focus,” said Christianson. “The …
Rep. Axne Calls for Investigation into Waivers
U.S. Representative Cindy Axne (D-IA), a member of the House Agriculture Committee, is calling for a federal investigation into the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) expansion of refinery exemptions from blending requirements under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Rep. Axne chose Southwest Iowa Renewable Energy (SIRE) to hold a press conference yesterday, the same site where President Donald Trump triumphantly announced …
Legally Protecting Ethanol’s Market Share
Various legal battles are ongoing to protect the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) and ethanol market share. An update on these efforts during the American Coalition for Ethanol Conference came from Bryan Stockton, Counsel, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP. Stockton shared what he called “the good, the bad and the ugly,” celebrating the timely release of the long anticipated E-15 final …
Capitalizing on Carbon
A panel at the 2019 American Coalition for Ethanol Conference in Omaha shared the potential benefits of investing in the emerging carbon economy and new opportunities on the horizon. Moderator Brian Jennings, ACE CEO, said carbon is something ACE has been taking much more seriously over the last couple of years. Other speakers included Pam Miller, ACE Board Chair and …
Ethanol Report on Hauk Designs Project
The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) has partnered with off-road Jeep designer Kenny Hauk of Hauk Designs to build a flex-fuel E85 Jeep Wrangler JL that will highlight the benefits of ethanol blends in high-performance vehicles. The special “Hauk Machines” Amazon Prime video series kicked off August 12 exclusively on RFA’s Facebook page with the first “mini-episode.” RFA Vice President of …