Ag Industry News and Events - Page 40

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released today its final rule decreasing the Renewable Volume Obligations (RVOs) under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). It reduced the volume of corn ethanol levels by nearly 500 million gallons for 2016.

On behalf of Iowa’s corn farmers, the Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA) would like to thank Governor Branstad and Lieutenant Governor Reynolds for intervening in the Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) Lawsuit. The WOTUS rule is overreaching and could hamper Iowa farmers’ ability to implement the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy.

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.