USGC Releases Latest Corn Harvest Quality Report

A warm and moist growing season resulted in near-record yields and good quality for the 2018 corn crop, according to the U.S. Grain Council’s (USGC) 2018/2019 Corn Harvest Quality Report.

The report revealed the majority of 2018 corn crop conditions were rated as good or excellent during the growing season, leading to strong plant health, good kernel size and a projected crop of 371.52 million metric tons (14.626 billion bushels), the third-largest crop on record. Nearly 94 percent of tested U.S. corn samples rated at U.S. Grade No. 2 or better, thanks to a warm, wet vegetative period and a moderate pollination and grain-filling period. The drier, moderate temperatures during the second half of the growing season promoted healthy plants, good test weights and low kernel damage.

Average test weight of 58.4 pounds per bushel (75.1 kilograms per hectoliter) was higher than the five-year average and indicates good kernel filling and maturation. Average 100-kernel weight of 35.07 grams was lower than 2017, but above the five-year average.

All but one sample, or 99.5 percent of samples, tested below the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) action level for aflatoxin (20 parts per billion). One-hundred percent of the samples tested below the FDA advisory level for deoxynivalenol (DON), or vomitoxin, for chicken, cattle, hogs and other animals.

The 2018/2019 Corn Harvest Quality Report provides timely information about the quality of the current U.S. corn crop at harvest as it enters international merchandising channels. This information will be supplemented by a second report, the 2018/2019 Corn Export Cargo Quality Report, scheduled for early 2019, that measures corn quality at export terminals at the point of loading for international shipment.

AgWired Energy, AgWired Precision, corn, Grains, USGC

Ten Years of Ethanol Market Growth

Growth Energy is celebrating ten years of advocating for ethanol since it was created in 2008. This edition of the Driving Ethanol podcast is the final installment of our series on the 10 year anniversary of Growth Energy and how the market for U.S. ethanol has grown in the past decade.

When Growth Energy was first formed in 2008, U.S. ethanol exports totaled just 158 million gallons. Last year, the total was 1.37 billion gallons and this year exports had already surpassed that amount by the end of October. Meanwhile, domestic demand has continued to grow and more retailers are starting to offer E15, with higher blends up to E30 positioned to provide the octane needed for more fuel efficient cars in the future.

This podcast includes comments from Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor, Growth Energy Senior Vice President of Global Markets Craig Willis, and President Donald Trump.

Growth Energy Driving Ethanol podcast 12-17-18

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AgWired Energy, Audio, Driving Ethanol podcast, Ethanol, Growth Energy

Two Scholarships Offered for National Ethanol Conference

Cindy Zimmerman

For the 10th consecutive year, the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) is partnering with the Renewable Fuels Foundation (RFF) to offer scholarships to students who are interested in attending the National Ethanol Conference (NEC), February 11-13 in Orlando.

Two scholarships are available to students in higher education to cover the cost of the conference, as well as airfare and lodging costs associated with attending the conference.

Interested students should submit a 500-word essay explaining how their attendance at the NEC will help them achieve their future goals. They should also submit two letters of recommendation and an up-to-date resume. Scholarships are only available to students who are attending a U.S.institution of higher learning or foreign students who are affiliated with the U.S. ethanol industry.

For full consideration, applications must be received by Jan. 7, 2019. For more information or to apply, visit: http://www.nationalethanolconference.com/scholarships/.

Ethanol, Ethanol News, National Ethanol Conference

National Biodiesel Foundation Elects New Board of Directors

Cindy Zimmerman

National Biodiesel Foundation directors recently voted to elect Dave Walton, representing the Iowa Soybean Association, to the Board.

The Board also elected officers with Jeff Lynn returning as president, Mark Caspers returning as Vice President, and Lindsay Fitzgerald returning as Treasurer and Secretary. In addition, the Board approved funding to continue several educational projects, including the New York Congressional Tour expected to take place this Spring.

The Foundation’s mission is to accomplish outreach, education, research, and demonstration activities for the advancement of biodiesel.

Biodiesel, Education, NBB

Former Agriculture Secretaries Meet

Just days after the passing of former Secretary of Agriculture Bob Bergland, four former secretaries met with current Secretary Sonny Perdue to discuss the latest agricultural issues.

Those in attendance included former Secretaries John Block (1981-1986), Dan Glickman (1995-2001), Ann Veneman (2001-2005), and Mike Johanns (2005-2008). The Secretaries discussed several issues including trade, wildfires, agriculture research, infrastructure, cell-based meat, and rural prosperity.

Former Agriculture Secretaries Bob Bergland, John Block, and Clayton Yeutter at 2012 NAFB Convention

The last time the four were together at USDA was in 2012 to celebrate the agency’s 150th anniversary. Three other former secretaries still living are Mike Espy (1993-1994), Ed Schafer (2008-2009), and Tom Vilsack (2009-2017). Espy recently lost his bid to replace retiring Mississippi Senator Thad Cochran in a high profile runoff election.

Bergland, a Minnesota farmer who served as secretary under President Jimmy Carter from 1977 to 1981 died December 9 at the age of 90. He also served as vice president and general manager of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association until he retired in 1992.

In 2012, Bergland joined former secretaries Block and Yeutter at the NAFB Convention. Enjoy his opening comments here – Former ag secretary Bob Bergland at 2012 NAFB

2012 NAFB Convention Photo Album

AgWired Animal, AgWired Energy, AgWired Precision, NAFB, USDA

Praise for Farm Bill Soil Carbon Pilot Program

Cindy Zimmerman

Several organizations are pleased that the new farm bill includes a climate-friendly soil carbon pilot program.

The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE), Environmental Entrepreneurs (E2), the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA), and the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) thank the Farm Bill conferees for including language in the 2018 Farm Bill to establish an Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) pilot program to promote and document the benefits of farming practices which improve soil health.

“This new EQIP provision provides the tools to incentivize farmers to adopt smart soil management practices that improve soil health to increase drought resiliency, improve nutrient utilization, and enhance soil carbon sequestration,” said Keith Alverson, South Dakota farmer and NCGA board member.

“The economic value farmers can receive from being properly credited for their ability to sequester carbon and participate in low carbon fuel markets and for other climate policies is significant,” said Brian Jennings, ACE CEO. “ACE is committed to fostering the development of these low carbon market opportunities that also increase income to farmers and rural America.”

ACE, corn, Environment, Ethanol, Ethanol News, NCGA

Conaway Pleased with Final Farm Bill

Cindy Zimmerman

Passage of the 2018 Farm Bill is a “big deal for rural America” and for House Agriculture Committee chairman Rep. Mike Conaway (R-TX), who loses his chairmanship next month when the Democrats take the majority in the House.

After the House voted 386-47 to pass the conference report and send the bill to the president, Conaway released a video talking about the importance of it and how pleased he was to be able to complete a farm bill as chairman.

“You really can’t lay claim to being chairman of House Ag unless you’ve done a farm bill. For me personally, it’s a sense of accomplishment,” said Conaway. “…it is a big deal and a good Christmas present for each and every person in rural America, and that’s who I have been fighting for.”

Conaway held a press conference Thursday morning to talk about the new legislation – Rep. Conaway press conference remarks on farm bill


Audio, farm bill, Government

MN Biofuels Names 2018 Distinguished Retailer

Cindy Zimmerman

The Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association has named Plymouth Station Holiday as its 2018 Distinguished Retailer.

“Plymouth Station Holiday was one of the first stations in Minnesota to offer E15 back in 2015. Since then they have added E15 at their other station in Plymouth and will soon begin offering it at a new station in New Hope,” said Tim Rudnicki, executive director at MN Biofuels.

Besides E15, Plymouth Station Holiday also offers E30 and E85.

Liz Nalezny, owner of Plymouth Station Holiday, is pictured here receiving honor from MN Biofuels president Brian Kletscher and executive director Tim Rudnicki.

Ethanol, Ethanol News, Retailers

Export Exchange Generates $400 Million in Sales

Cindy Zimmerman

The recent 2018 Export Exchange in October has generated $403 million in sales of U.S. coarse grains and co-products, including distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) and feed grains, according to the organizers.

Grain buyers from 35 countries attended the conference in Minneapolis, sponsored by the U.S. Grains Council (USGC), Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) and Growth Energy to offer an opportunity for education and introductions to members of the U.S. grains production and export industries.

Buyers and end-users were polled while at the conference and immediately after regarding purchase agreements with sellers and how much volume (tonnage) they bought. In total, attendees reported sales of approximately 2.1 million metric tons of grains and co-products traded either at the conference or immediately before or after.

The top grain traded during the two-day conference was DDGS, with more than 1.3 million metric tons collectively exchanged. This number translates to just over 11 percent of last year’s total U.S. DDGS exports. In addition, buyers reported contracting 619,000 metric tons of U.S. corn and 4,050 metric tons of U.S. sorghum.

The Export Exchange is held every other year so the next event will be in 2020.

Distillers Grains, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Export Exchange, Exports, Growth Energy, RFA, USGC

More Comments on House Fuels Act

Cindy Zimmerman

Many industry organizations provided feedback yesterday to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Environment on the discussion draft “21st Century Transportation Fuels Act,” both in person and in writing. The legislation proposes an exchange of a national (95 RON) octane fuel requirement for repeal of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).

American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) CEO Brian Jennings says the bill draws attention to why higher octane fuel is needed but fails to chart a sufficient course for how to get there. “Requiring automakers to warranty their vehicles to operate on a minimum 95 RON fuel (about the same as today’s premium) in exchange for effective repeal of the RFS will not improve fuel quality by increasing ethanol use, rather, it is a mechanism to undo the competition-forcing core of the RFS and limit ethanol use to current volumes.”

National Farmers Union President Roger Johnson submitted a statement to the committee.

“NFU agrees that fuel and vehicle regulation can and should work hand-in-hand to promote clean-burning, alternative renewable fuels,” said Johnson. “High octane fuels through higher blends of ethanol should be the fuel for today and the future.”

National Biodiesel Board Vice President of Federal Affairs Kurt Kovarik testified at the hearing on Tuesday saying that while the bill addresses the industry’s frustrations with the EPA setting biomass-based diesel volumes well below the ability to produce, “improvements to the discussion draft are needed to incentivize further investments and support predictable year-over-year growth.” Kovarik also notes that changes to the octane standard will have no impact on biodiesel.

ACE, Biodiesel, Ethanol, Ethanol News, NBB, NFU