AAA: E15 Too Confusing for Market

BLOOMINGTON – Apparently AAA feels that American motorists aren’t smart enough to figure out what type of gasoline to put in their cars. Why else would the auto association petition legislators to slow the movement of E15 to the marketplace, saying confused motorists are likely to ruin their engines by refueling?

According to USA Today, AAA is seeking to reduce the progress of America’s renewable fuel industry to a crawl “until there is more extensive testing, better pump labels to safeguard consumers and more consumer education about potential hazards.”

Memo to AAA: the U.S. government, the ethanol industry and the nation’s corn growers believe otherwise. “We have a label that effectively relays information to the consumer about the type of fuel and the approved vehicles that is displayed wherever E15 is sold,” countered new Illinois Corn Growers Association President Paul Taylor. “We also have data that supports E15 as a safe, environmentally-friendly alternative to E10 for car model years 2001 and newer. The information released by AAA is incorrect according to what the U.S. Department of Energy determined during their testing.”

There is a significant body of research the EPA considered when ruling in favor of allowing E15 into the marketplace, allowing consumers to feel confident about the use of the corn-based fuel, according to the ICGA. (ICGA Daily Update)

Illinois Corn Praises Crop insurance Re-Rating

BLOOMINGTON – A yearlong review of crop insurance premium rates by the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Risk Management Agency (RMA) has led to a re-rating of federal crop insurance premiums for corn, soybeans, grain sorghum, spring wheat, rice and cotton. Though revised rates were offered for corn and soybeans in most counties for 2012, the RMA announced on Nov. 27 that the Agency will continue to update premiums for those commodities.  The Illinois Corn Growers Association (ICGA) was among many ag commodity organizations to praise RMA for its diligence on behalf of Midwest producers who have historically paid more than their fair share for insurance premiums in the past.  

“As the nation stands at the edge of the so-called fiscal cliff, a common sense measure like this crop insurance premium re-rate shows that prudent decisions are still achievable in Washington,” said Jeff Scates, immediate past-president of the Illinois Corn Growers Association, in an ICGA news release. “We commend (RMA) Administrator Murphy and his team of experts for staying the course in their efforts to re-rate crop insurance premiums. Their decision is fiscally sound and budget-wise. This re-rate demonstrates that farmers and the government can work together to tackle issues, make a plan, and implement change. It shows the kind of budgetary awareness and responsibility that many are hoping to see from Washington.”

Pork Donated to Bloomington Food Bank

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Pork Producers Association’s (IPPA) Pork Power: Partnering to Fight Hunger in Illinois campaign has donated more than 13,000 pounds of ground pork to the Midwest Food Bank in Bloomington. The food bank– which began in 2003 when the Kieser family began providing food from a shed on their family farm– serves over 500 food pantries across the Midwest that assist over 100,000 people per month.

”The pork producers who donate pigs are helping to bridge the gap between prosperity and poverty,” said David Kieser, president of Midwest Food Bank. “They have taken on the challenge of helping others, and they are doing so with a nutritious, high-quality product that is an important addition to our food bank.” Kieser also praised the Illinois corn and soybean groups who partner with IPPA in promoting Pork Power.

“As farmers, we believe it is our responsibility to feed the world,” added Illinois Soybean Association board member John Hagenbuch, of Utica. “Illinois commodity groups work together toward that goal, and Pork Power is a great example.” The donated pork was processed by Gridley Meats. Since its inception, Pork Power has donated more than 316,000 pounds of pork to food pantries and food banks throughout Illinois.

Yield Challenge Winners Announced

BLOOMINGTON –  Winners of the Illinois Soybean Association’s 2012 Yield Challenge were recognized at the Illinois Commodity Conference, held Nov. 20 at the DoubleTree Hotel in Bloomington. “We cannot thank participants enough for the results we have achieved over the past three years,” said Rowen Ziegler, ISA production committee chair. “Even though the Yield Challenge oftentimes is viewed as a competition, we see it more as a learning experience for all of us. It really is remarkable to witness the benefit of networking and exchanging ideas.”

Teams with the highest percentage yield increases in each of seven districts receive cash awards for their accomplishments, though the event was established three years ago with soybean checkoff funds as a way to help ensure Illinois’ position as a global soybean production leader. The 2012 Yield Challenge began with nearly 50 teams and 300 plots across Illinois.

Winning teams included Ag View North (Dist. 1), Elburn Co-op (Dist. 2), Blandinsville CPS (Dist. 3), Sunrise FS (Dist. 4), Ehler Bros. Seed (Dist. 5), Shipman Elevator (Dist. 6) and FHR U-Trough (Dist. 7). In addition, three individual farmers eclipsed the 80 bushel per acre level.

Results of the Yield Challenge and techniques employed by winning teams are shared with other Illinois soybean farmers to improve soybean production in the state.

Schock Seeks Missouri River Action

PEORIA – U.S. Representative Aaron Schock of Peoria joined 60 other legislators recently in urging the Army Corps of Engineers, USDA, the Dept. of Energy and the Dept. of Transportation to get behind a plan to expedite the removal of rock pinnacles at Grand Tower and Thebes, Illinois, to increase the ability for barges to operate in the shallow waters of the Missouri River.  The Fertilizer Institute estimates that nearly 500,000 tons of fertilizer intended for spring application moves up the Missouri River during winter. (Ill. Fertilizer & Chemical Assoc.) 

Illinois Farm Fact:

Decatur, Illinois is the Soybean Capital of the World. (Illinois Ag in the Classroom)

(Tim Alexander is a freelance reporter who writes agriculture, news and feature articles for the News Bulletin, Farm World and many other publications.)