Cellulosic Ethanol Recognition Sought

BLOOMINGTON – A delegation of Illinois corn farmers, led by Carmi producer Martin Barbre, traveled Washington, DC last week to debate and vote for proposed policy positions embraced by the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA). Among NCGA policy positions approved nationally was one brought by the Illinois delegation, which read: “Support EPA approval of corn kernel fiber as a cellulosic fuel.”

The position is especially timely to Illinois corn farmers, explained Tricia Braid of Illinois Corn, in a Daily Update issued March 1. “As your corn yields return to trend line or even better levels, you’ll need more markets for your corn. Finding opportunities within the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) for corn-based ethanol is one way to help secure the ethanol market,” she said. “Currently, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency does not consider ethanol made from corn kernel fiber to be a cellulosic fuel. That means that this ethanol cannot be counted toward the cellulosic ethanol requirement, which further limits corn ethanol’s opportunities under the RFS. Working to have EPA approve corn kernel fiber as a cellulosic fuel is a top priority of Illinois Corn,” Braid added.

Crop Insurance Deadline Nears

OSCO – Farmers affected by last year’s devastating drought are approaching the March 15 deadline for purchasing federal crop insurance coverage through licensed agents approved by the USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA). With the addition of new insurance options available to farmers– and considering the weather hazards most faced last year– the time is right for Midwest producers to opt for federal coverage, according to a longtime crop insurance agent with Strategic Farm Marketing (SFM).

“We started this year extremely dry with stocks quite small, so if we have any problems there will be a lot of risk out there as far as production. Farmers need to have good coverage for yield protection,” said Gary Asay, a ten-year SFM agent and pork producer who resides in Henry County, Ill.

Many producers worried that premiums would increase this year as a result of high losses in 2012, though information from last year cannot influence rates until 2014. In addition, some farmers unnecessarily feared paying higher prices for federal crop insurance due to Congress’ inability to pass a new, five-year farm bill. Neither factor comes into play, according to Asay. “The crop insurance program was set in place (with the last farm bill) and is not affected,” he said. “It could be a factor in 2014.”

Current crop insurance premiums can be generated with the University of Illinois’ 2013 Crop Insurance Decision Tool, a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet available for download from the “FAST” and “Crop Insurance” sections of the UoI’s farmdoc website.

IFCA Issues Legislative Updates

BLOOMINGTON – An updated listing of legislative bills of interest in the Illinois General Assembly was issued to members of the Illinois Fertilizer and Chemical Association last week. Among the House bills of interest were HB 2615, the Hydraulic Fracturing Regulatory Act, which was developed by a business and government coalition. The IFCA supports the Act, which is currently assigned to the Rules Committee.

Also of interest are HB 2273, which amends the Weights & Measures Act to provide that scales certified by the Illinois Department of Agriculture as of July, 2012 do not require a Certificate of Conformance if meeting Handbook 44 performance guidelines (IFCA supports), and HB 2367, which prohibits a road commissioner from permanently closing, vacating or reducing a road weight limit without written approval of the county superintendent and an elected road district board (IFCA supports). Both bills have not yet moved to the voting stage. In addition, IFCA opposes HB 3085, the GMO Food Labeling Bill, and HB 3237, which establishes a $1 fee on all trade transactions on the Chicago Board of Trade or CME.

On the Illinois Senate side, IFCA opposes SB 1158, which proposes a fee increase on ten or more registered fleet vehicles from $20 to $40, and SB 1666, the Senate’s GMO Labeling bill, which has been assigned to the Ag Committee. Finally, the IFCA supports SB 1715, a mirror bill of HB 2273. (All updates as of March 1, 2013)

Livestock Site Pushback Topic of Symposium

SPRINGFIELD – As the number of livestock facility construction permits in Illinois rises, working through local pushback on siting livestock farms– along with the importance of gaining support from local governments– was a hot topic during the recent Illinois Livestock Symposium in Springfield. Robert Flider, acting Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) director, came by to discuss the importance of animal agriculture in Illinois. The half-day symposium, sponsored by the Illinois Soybean Association (ISA), also addressed topics vital to producers such as responding to crises, best employment practices, meeting regulatory requirements and managing on-farm challenges.

The symposium also featured breakout sessions focusing on business planning and risk management, animal health, maximizing feed and managing relations with neighbors. It featured speakers Joe Miller from Rose Acres Farms, Brad Beaver from the IDOA  and Jake Nims from Frank & West Environmental Engineers.

“It is important that we work together to support the livestock industry in Illinois,” said Matt Henry, business development director for The Maschhoffs of Carlyle. “This event provided a great opportunity to collaborate and share information with each other.” (ISA news release)

Illinois Farm Fact:

Between 1980 and 2011, Illinois farmers used six percent more land while increasing yields by 50 percent. In addition, soil erosion per acre was down 26 percent, while tons of erosion per bushel plummeted by 56 percent. Also, water usage per acre declined 60 percent while water usage per bushel decreased by 68 percent. (Keystone Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture/Illinois Soybean Assoc.)

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