Ag Industry News and Events - Page 24

Iowa Corn announced today the 16 student recipients of the Iowa Corn Future of Agriculture Scholarship program for the 2018-2019 school year. Iowa Corn awarded sixteen (16) $1,000 one-year scholarships to deserving, qualified students enrolled at an accredited U.S. 2-year or 4-year college or university, or graduate school, in a program of study to equip them to contribute to Iowa’s agriculture industry. The program is sponsored by the Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA) and the Iowa Corn Promotion Board (ICPB).

The Iowa Agriculture Water Alliance (IAWA) and its founding organizations, including Iowa Corn, Iowa Soybean Association, and the Iowa Pork Producers Association, as well as its Advisory and Business Council members, want to offer you the tools and resources you need to cover Earth Day on Sunday, April 22.

STATEMENT FROM PRESIDENT DUANE AISTROPE ON
JAPAN ALLOWING U.S. ETHANOL

The U.S. Grains Council confirmed yesterday that Japan has finalized a change in the country’s biofuels policy allowing for imports of the oxygenate ETBE made from U.S. corn-based ethanol. As farmers, we welcome this news as we know that U.S. ethanol can meet Japan’s need for a high octane, low-carbon fuel source in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and improving air quality.

On July 17, 2018, corn growers in Crop Reporting Districts 4, 5, 8, and 9 can vote at their local county ISU extension office for their representation on the Iowa Corn Promotion Board for a 3-year term. The Board’s primary priorities and responsibilities include domestic and foreign market development, research into news and value-added corn uses, and education on corn and the farmers who grow it.

President Trump announced today that he supports approval for year-round consumer access to E15, a high-octane fuel composed of 15 percent ethanol, 85 percent gasoline. This is welcome news for Iowa’s farmers and American motorists as it will help expand the availability and market access for higher blends of ethanol. The Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA) thank U.S. Senators Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst as well as Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds for their unwavering support for creating a path for E15 full availability, especially during the White House discussions this week. We also thank President Trump for his public support of year-round E15 sales that will provide consumers greater access to lower-cost, cleaner-burning fuel at the pump.

Our message to President Trump and his administration remains decidedly clear. We cannot lose this market. Iowa’s farm families must not be collateral damage in a trade dispute. The impact of these potential tariffs does not hurt just one agricultural sector or commodity but threatens the whole industry and Iowa stands at the epicenter.

STATEMENT FROM ICGA PRESIDENT MARK RECKER

On behalf of Iowa’s corn farmers, I would like to congratulate Julie Kenney on her new role as Deputy Secretary of Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship under Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig. Julie has been an active member of the Iowa Corn Growers Association and contributed significantly to the success of the CommonGround program as a longtime volunteer.

The fundamentals of any good business model look for ways to increase demand for your product. In Iowa, there is no greater force driving demand for corn than the Iowa Corn Promotion Board (ICPB). ICPB represents thousands of Iowa farmers to create an economic climate in which the Iowa corn industry will be successful through market development, research for new uses and educating the public about corn in all forms. 

Nearly 100 Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA) members filled the State Capitol rotunda today for the “Iowa Corn Day on the Hill” lobbying event. This delegation included ICGA Board, county leaders and student FFA members from across the state. Their lobbying efforts focused on increasing state coupling of the federal section 179 expensing provision, protecting agriculture in comprehensive tax reform, and obtaining funding for biofuels infrastructure. In addition, farmers took time to thank the state lawmakers who helped pass water quality legislation, Senate File 512, signed into law earlier this session.

As a farmer, I am calling on the Trump Administration to stand on its promise to support a strong Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS). The RFS is critical for rural communities across this country, and especially for farmers like myself. There is a pending proposal being floated within the White House to cap the price of Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs). RINs are the market mechanism that drives biofuels blending. Any cap or other manipulation of the Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs) would not only cripple the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), but also pull corn prices down with it. The Trump Administration needs to hear from Iowa farmers!