ACE Announces DC Fly-in Dates

Cindy Zimmerman

The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) will hold its 11th annual Washington, D.C. Fly-in and Government Affairs Summit April 2-3 this year.

“Ethanol producers are experiencing economic stress due to artificial limits on demand and we have more policy irons in the fire than ever before. Given these stakes, we encourage ethanol supporters to mark their calendars for the ACE fly-in and join us April 2 and 3 in D.C.,” said Brian Jennings, ACE CEO. “More than 100 new Members of Congress recently took their oaths of office and it is up to us to make sure they understand the importance and value of a strong U.S. ethanol industry.”

The meetings will take place at the Liaison Capitol Hill hotel and on Capitol Hill. Fly-in attendees will meet with Trump administration officials to emphasize the importance of completing a legally defensible Reid vapor pressure (RVP) rule for E15 before the 2019 summer driving season and argue for reallocation of the waived gallons from the Renewable Fuel Standard through refinery waivers. Participants will also advocate for increasing ethanol demand through low-carbon and high-octane policies.

Event registration and sponsorship opportunities are available at ethanol.org/events/fly-in.

ACE, Ethanol, Ethanol News

National Biodiesel Board Hires Federal Affairs Director

Cindy Zimmerman

The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) has hired David W. Cobb as Director of Federal Affairs to work in the organization’s Washington D.C. office.

Cobb most recently served as Federal Affairs Director for CHS Inc., a Fortune 100 company and the nation’s largest farmer-owned cooperative, where he advocated for the company’s legislative and regulatory policy priorities. Prior to his six years at CHS, he worked in government affairs for S&P Global, as a legislative assistant for Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT), and for Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-LA).

“I am pleased to add David Cobb to the NBB team as our new Director of Federal Affairs,” said NBB CEO Donnell Rehagen. “David brings direct experience in the agriculture, biofuel and refining industries and can hit the ground running on behalf of the biodiesel industry.”

Kurt Kovarik, NBB Vice President of Federal Affairs, added, “David Cobb is a great addition to the NBB team who will help broaden the biodiesel industry’s advocacy in Washington. He brings deep knowledge of the legislative process and the inner workings of Congress.”

Biodiesel, NBB

President Trump Addresses 100th AFBF Convention

For the second year in a row, President Donald J. Trump addressed the members of the American Farm Bureau Federation at its 100th annual convention Monday in New Orleans.

Despite being nearly an hour late, the president was greeted by thousands of farmers and ranchers who had been in place waiting to see him since early in the morning, and he did not disappoint. President Trump spent about half of the speech talking about the importance of border security and getting a wall, which is a very big issue for agriculture and especially for ranchers like Jim Chilton of Arizona who lives on the border and has smugglers coming into the country through his property. “Mr. President, we need a wall,” said Chilton when he was invited on stage by the president.

Trump hit on all the important agricultural issues of the day, from trade and the estate tax, to WOTUS and ethanol. “We are fighting for the American farmer and we are fighting for the American dream,” the president said as he wrapped up his one hour address. “The greatest harvest is yet to come. The future for America’s farmers is bigger, better, bolder and brighter than ever before.”

Listen here:
AFBF19 President Trump address

2019 AFBF Annual Convention photo album

AFBF, AgWired Animal, AgWired Energy, AgWired Precision, Audio

Sen. Roberts Addresses #AFBF19

Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts (R-KS), who just announced he will be retiring from Congress after his current term ends in 2020, addressed some 7,000 members of the American Farm Bureau Federation at the organization’s 100th annual convention Sunday in New Orleans.

Known for his caustic wit and straight talk, as well as his dedication to the agriculture community, Roberts served eight terms in the House and this is his fourth in the Senate. He is the first member of Congress to chair the Agriculture Committees in both Houses.

His address to Farm Bureau focused on the 2018 Farm Bill and trade issues, and proved to be as entertaining as ever. He also gave a nice shout out to members of the farm media. “Thank God for the ag press, they tell it like it is, they shine the light of truth into darkness,” said Roberts.

Listen here:
AFBF19 Sen Pat Roberts remarks

Roberts also held a press conference for the media where he addressed a number of current topics:
AFBF19 Sen Pat Roberts press conference

2019 AFBF Annual Convention photo album

AFBF, AgWired Animal, AgWired Energy, AgWired Precision, Audio, Government

AFBF Celebrates Centennial

American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) President Zippy Duvall officially opened the organization’s 100th annual convention in New Orleans Sunday before approximately 7,000 farmers and ranchers from across the nation.

Duvall outlined a few of the organization’s many historic accomplishments since 1919, such as leading the way on the nation’s first farm bill in the 1930s and helping develop the Food for Peace Program in the 1950s. As AFBF heads toward a new century of service to America’s farm and ranch families, Duvall said the organization will continue to be guided by the honorable principle that “farmers want to feed people.”

“Farm Bureau members throughout our history, and still today, have always answered the call to feed, fuel and defend our nation. I am grateful for this wonderful organization,” Duvall said. “Its founding 100 years ago was truly a breakthrough in American history. The founding fathers and mothers of our nation and of Farm Bureau were guided by a divine hand, a hand that still guides us today.”

On Monday, President Donald Trump will address the Farm Bureau meeting for the second year in a row during the closing general session.

Listen to Duvall’s address here:
AFBF19 President Zippy Duvall address to members

2019 AFBF Annual Convention photo album

AFBF, AgWired Animal, AgWired Energy, AgWired Precision, Audio

Iowa Breaks Ethanol Production Record

Cindy Zimmerman

Iowa ethanol plants had another record-breaking year in 2018, producing 4.35 billion gallons, up from 4.2 billion gallons in 2017.

Iowa Renewable Fuels Association Executive Director Monte Shaw said the increased production is due largely to record exports and despite this success, producers suffered from lower margins.

“This record production is a testament to the resilience of Iowa’s ethanol producers,” Shaw said. “This past year, they were hit with demand-destroying small-refinery exemptions and a closed Chinese market. The resulting low or in some cases negative margins made 2018 a tough year for ethanol producers and our corn suppliers. Iowa ethanol producers have weathered the storm fairly well given the reports of idled and even shuttered plants in other states.”

Shaw said action is needed to return profitability to the industry by growing markets abroad and at home.

“We hope that 2019 can get ethanol demand out of neutral and growing again with a properly enforced RFS, year-round E15, and the reopening of the China market,” he said. “Much depends on the actions of the Trump Administration and the EPA. It is within their power to set us on the course for not only record ethanol production, but restored prosperity in rural America.”

Iowa’s production is approximately 27 percent of total U.S. ethanol production for 2018.

Ethanol, Ethanol News, Iowa RFA

Slow Start for 2019 Ethanol Production

Cindy Zimmerman

According to the latest Energy Information Administration data analyzed by the Renewable Fuels Association, ethanol production declined the first week of the new year to the smallest volume in 37 weeks at an average of 1.000 million barrels per day (b/d)—or 42.00 million gallons daily. The four-week average for ethanol production settled lower at 1.025 million b/d for an annualized rate of 15.71 billion gallons.

For the last week of 2018, ending on December 28, ethanol production was the lowest volume in 11 weeks at an average of 1.011 million barrels per day (b/d)—or 42.46 million gallons daily. The four-week average for ethanol production softened at 1.036 million b/d for an annualized rate of 15.88 billion gallons.

Of course, both of those weeks included holidays when production is normally lower.

Ethanol, Ethanol News, RFA

IRFA Welcomes New Policy Director

Cindy Zimmerman

The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) is pleased to welcome Nathan Hohnstein as its new Policy Director to oversee state policy, support IRFA’s political and PAC programs, and work on state and federal regulatory affairs.

Hohnstein most recently worked as a policy adviser for Governor Kim Reynolds. Prior to that he worked for former Governor Terry Branstad on boards & commissions along with work on multiple political campaigns. He is originally from Cedar Falls and graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science. Currently, Hohnstein is attending Drake University part-time for his Master’s in Public Administration.

Ethanol, Ethanol News, Iowa RFA

DigestData Launched for Bio-based Start-ups

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) has joined with Biofuels Digest to create and launch DigestData, an online database to help facilitate networking and the transfer of information between interested parties working in the bio-based industry. NCGA’s sponsorship provides DigestData users with free access to search research and pilot scale facilities along with facility details such as certifications, available equipment, and primary contact information.

“The goal was to bring more visibility to these facilities and projects in the United States,” said Feed, Food and Industrial Action Team Chair Dan Wesely. “We want companies to recognize the number of facilities that are located right here in the Midwest, close to the untapped potential that corn can provide as a feedstock. DigestData provides a service that NCGA believes will help facilitate networking and communication across the bio-based materials industry.”

DigestData includes a messaging platform, allowing outreach to occur directly between interested parties within the online platform. The database will continue to evolve as new facilities and projects are added, or existing entries are updated in real-time at the request of their respective owners. There’s also a search by keyword function to help users quickly find information of interest.

AgWired Energy, AgWired Precision, corn, NCGA

Record Breaking Year for Iowa Biodiesel

Cindy Zimmerman

After a slight decrease in 2017, Iowa’s 12 biodiesel plants rebounded in 2018, producing a record 365 million gallons of biodiesel, according to the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA).

IRFA Executive Director Monte Shaw said the increased production was largely due to the plummeting level of biodiesel imports following a verdict against Argentina and Indonesia for illegally subsidizing imports to the U.S.

“In previous years American biodiesel producers struggled to compete against unfairly subsidized and dumped imports,” Shaw said. “This record-breaking year of production proves that when the playing field is level, U.S. biodiesel producers can successfully fulfill domestic demand.”

Iowa biodiesel production is expected to make up nearly 20 percent of total U.S. production for 2018. Shaw emphasized that the state could do even more if the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) level for biodiesel was set to at least mirror projected U.S. biodiesel consumption and not undermined by small-refinery exemptions.

Soybean oil was the primary feedstock for biodiesel production in Iowa, increasing its market share over 2017 to more than 80 percent while animal fat usage declined from 11 percent to less than five percent. Corn oil continued to make up about 10 percent of feedstock. Used cooking oil (UCO) saw a marginal increase to about four percent.

Biodiesel, Iowa RFA