Ag Industry News and Events - Page 24

Iowa Corn would like to announce the 18 Iowa college students who will make up the fifth Iowa Corn Collegiate Advisory Team (CAT).

Today, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack announced Iowa as one of the 21 recipients of federal grants through the Biofuel Infrastructure Program (BIP) amounting in $210 million. The Iowa Department of Transportation will receive $5 million, which could bring as many as 100 new stations and 187 additional pumps to the state through the “Fueling Our Future 100” initiative.

To help haul in this year’s harvest, Governor Terry Branstad signed into effect today a proclamation granting a temporary weight limit exemption for trucks on Iowa roads. The proclamation specifically increases the weight allowable for shipment of corn, soybeans, hay, straw and stover, by 12.5 percent per axle (up to a maximum of 90,000 pounds) without the need for an oversize/overweight permit.

The Iowa Corn Promotion Board (ICPB) is the recipient of a newly issued patent from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. The patent relates to an improved production process in making the compound isosorbide a key material in bio based plastics and polyester. Isosorbide can be used to increase the bio content of plastic bottles and other polymers while increasing the useful properties like plastic melting temperature.

Iowa Corn leader Don Hunerdosse and his family were recognized with the Wergin Good Farm Neighbor award on September 22nd. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey presented the award at the farm of Blake Reynolds who nominated the family. Don serves as the District 8 Director for the Iowa Corn Promotion Board (ICPB) and is an active member of the Warren County Iowa Corn Growers Association.

A Taiwanese delegation visited Iowa this week and met with Iowa Corn farmer leaders as part of a Good Will Mission to build relationships between Taiwanese agricultural leaders and U.S. farmers and grain suppliers for future trade. As part of this mission, the delegation took part in a signing ceremony on Thursday with Iowa Lieutenant Governor Kim Reynolds, ICPB Director Roger Zylstra and the U.S. Grains Council (USGC).  Denny Friest, a farmer leader from Radcliffe, Iowa and District 5 Director on the Iowa Corn Growers Assoication also attended the signing ceremony.

Corn Month has officially arrived! In Iowa, September is known as Corn Month and this month is used to promote our versatile product. As farmers begin to make their way into fields for harvest, we use this opportunity to showcase the remarkable resource that is attributed to the livelihood of so many Iowans.

This past weekend proved to be another exciting rivalry match against the Iowa and Iowa State football teams at the Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series™ football game. The Iowa Hawkeyes secured the trophy after walking away with a win of 31-17 in front of a packed Jack Trice Stadium.

The Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA) and the Iowa Corn Promotion Board (ICPB) are honored to partner with Learfield Sports on behalf of both Iowa State University and University of Iowa Athletic Departments for the title sponsorship of the Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series™.

The Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA) Annual Meeting and Policy Conference which took place this week in Des Moines. Delegates had the opportunity to review expiring policies and debate new resolutions. The Annual Meeting and Policy Conference is the year-end event in the policy development process. The process includes a member survey, roundtable discussions held across the state and at the policy conference. Policies that are related to national issues are adopted and brought forth at the Commodity Classic meetings with National Corn Growers Association (NCGA).