Ag Industry News and Events - Page 26

A U.S. Grains Council (USGC) trade team of Korean reporters and writers visited Iowa on Friday as part of a learning journey to the United States to get in-depth information about biotechnology in corn and other crops. 

Ryan Hunter-Reay brought home another Iowa Corn 300 trophy at Saturday’s premier event at the Iowa Speedway. This will be the ninth year that Iowa Corn has sponsored the race and the second consecutive win for Hunter-Reay; he has won the event a grand total of three times. The #28 ethanol-powered driver seemed very pleased with his win on Saturday night after only one top five finish this season. “Iowa Corn would like to congratulate Ryan Hunter-Reay on his second consecutive win here at the Iowa Corn 300. This event continues to be an excellent platform for promoting and showcasing the true power of ethanol, “says Iowa Corn Promotion Board President, Chris Edgington.

Iowa Corn members and staff traveled to the nation’s capital this past week for the National Corn Growers Association Corn Congress. Attendees sat in on action team meetings and also had the chance to meet with members of both the U.S. Senate and U.S. House. Among those officials were Senator Grassley, Senator Ernst, Congressman Blum, Congressman Loebsack, Congressman Young, and Congressman King. Along with the meetings, one farmer member, Bruce Rohwer, was elected to the National Corn Board on Wednesday morning.

The Iowa Corn 300 will race into the Iowa Speedway this weekend, July 18th. This will be the 9th year that Iowa Corn has sponsored this event. The race is designed to share the benefits of the renewable fuel industry. The Iowa Corn Growers Association and the Iowa Corn Promotion Board are happy to once again be able to showcase the value of this homegrown, renewable fuel.

The Iowa Corn Growers Association has announced the 2015 member roundtable meetings for this July as part of its annual policy development process. The meetings allow ICGA members to come together, share a meal, and discuss key issues impacting corn farmers. Policies brought forward and approved at Roundtable meetings go on to the Annual Policy Conference in August for the ICGA delegates to debate. Meals (lunch or dinner) will be included at each session.

Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) will soon begin to help shape the U.S.’ ability to complete international trade negotiations. On Monday, June 29th, President Obama signed the bill into law. TPA is legislation that gives the President authority to submit trade agreements to Congress for an up-or-down vote without amendments.

Several hundred concerned individuals gathered in Kansas City, Kansas today to Rally for Rural America.  Farmers, American ethanol industry representatives, and a number of agriculture organizations spent the afternoon to support the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). This rally was organized in response to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) public hearing on their proposed rule to significantly cut America’s use of cleaner burning renewable fuels.

Farmers, agribusiness and the renewable fuels industry will gather on June 25th in Kansas City at the Rally for Rural America in support of a strong and robust Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).

Elections for the Iowa Corn Promotion Board (ICPB) will be held on July 21, 2015. Iowa corn growers elect peers to serve on the ICPB to oversee the investment of funds generated by the Iowa corn checkoff.  The Board’s primary activities include domestic and foreign market development, research into new and value-added corn uses, and education about the corn industry. 

The Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA) and the Iowa Land Improvement Contractors Association (LICA) hosted several state and federal legislators at a water quality and ag field day on Friday, May 29 at the LICA farm located northeast of Des Moines near Melbourne.