Nebraska Corn Kernels

Texas Corn Mission-Nebraska Corn Board Staff Report

mike@teamdavid.com — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 21:44:00 +0000

In this week's staff report, Kelly Brunkhorst talks about the recent Nebraska, Iowa, and Illinois corn mission to Texas. He discusses what they saw while down there and some of the things that they heard from end users. To learn more about Nebraska Corn, be sure to visit the Nebraska Corn Board website!

USDA WASDE Report Expects Higher Corn Exports

mike@teamdavid.com — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 17:32:00 +0000

The USDA WASDE report (World Agriculture Supply and Demand Estimates) came out today with expectations that corn exports will rise and feed grain stocks will be lowered. Exports are being raised due to the production problems seen in Argentina. The country has been hit with drought conditions throughout the growing season which affected the corn crop. Argentina’s corn production has been lowered 4.0 million tons to 22 million tons, which mainly has been attributed to the high temperatures and dry conditions that came during the pollination period. However, some of the late planted corn in the country may help offset some of the losses but there still will be a decrease in production numbers.

U.S. corn exports to other countries is projected to be 50 million bushels higher, leaving ending stocks 45 million bushels lower at 801 million. As of now, Canada is planning on reducing its imports of corn; however, the EU is planning on raising its imports of corn which will offset the reduction in Canada’s imports of corn. The projected range for the season average farm corn price is narrowed by 10 cents on both ends leaving the range to be between $5.80 and $6.60.

If you would like to get the latest corn prices, click here. You can also find more information about corn production in Nebraska by visiting the Nebraska Corn Board website.

Why blender pumps?

mike@teamdavid.com — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 15:00:00 +0000

Most likely you are probably asking yourself what is a blender pump and how does it affect me?

Don’t worry; you’re not the only one with these types of questions as many drivers are starting to learn about the benefits that blender pumps have to offer.

First, you should know that ethanol blender pumps have only been around for a short amount of time, since 2006. The nation’s very first ethanol blender pump was put into operation at 4 Seasons Co-op in March 2006 up in Britton, South Dakota. This new technology allowed drivers to choose the mixture of fuel they would like to put into their fuel tanks. Other fuel retailers began to slowly add this new technology to their fuel stations across the nation to give drivers a choice at the pump.

So now that you know the history of the blender pump, you are probably wondering why you hardly see blender pumps at fuel stations. One main reason is that blender pumps aren’t a cheap investment for fuel retailers. The approximate cost of a blender pump is around $26,000, approximately $7,500 more than a regular fuel dispenser.

Although blender pumps are expensive, retailers can apply for grants to help cover the expense of installing a blender pump. For example, the Nebraska Corn Board and Nebraska Corn Growers Association have a $5,000 grant that Nebraska fuel retailers can apply for to help cover their installation cost of a blender pump. In order to apply for this grant, fuel retailers need to download and fill out an application from the Nebraska Corn Board website and then send it into the Nebraska Corn Board office where the Market Development Committee will review the applications.

Like it was said earlier, blender pumps are not a cheap investment and a reason why there are less than 20 locations in Nebraska that offer blender pumps. Now most would think that these locations would mainly be in the more populated parts of the state such as Grand Island, Lincoln, and Omaha. However, that is not the case and while Grand Island does have two blender pump locations, Lincoln and Omaha have none. It is actually surprising that neither Lincoln nor Omaha have a blender pump location especially from the fact that these locations have the highest number of flex fuel vehicles on the road! Lincoln has approximately 15,000 flex fuel vehicles and Omaha has over 25,000 flex fuel vehicles with many more commuting into the communities each day.

Some may think that the reason there are very few blender pump locations is from the fact that there aren’t very many benefits. Yet, that isn’t the case, and blender pumps offer drivers of flex fuel vehicles many different benefits.

One main benefit is drivers can choose their own blends of fuel. A person can choose a higher amount of gasoline blended with ethanol or vice versa. For example, a blender pump location may offer the choice of either E30 (30% ethanol, 70% gasoline), E50 (50% ethanol, 50% gasoline), or E85 (85% ethanol, 15% gasoline).

Not only do blender pumps give drivers a choice at the pump, but it also allows drivers to keep more money in their pockets. Studies have shown that using blender pumps can actually save drivers money compared to using regular gasoline. Sometimes the savings can range from ten cents a gallon up to almost forty cents a gallon. Now, when you look at that it doesn’t seem to be much. However, if you fill up a 12 gallon tank, and you get a forty cent savings, you end up saving $4.80 every time you fill up. Still doesn’t seem like your saving much? Well, if you figure you have to fill up at least once a week, you end up saving $19 each month or $228 a year. In today’s economy, every dollar we save can end up going towards something else.

Not only is ethanol saving drivers money and giving them a choice, it also helps their vehicles run better. Studies have shown that using higher blends of ethanol actually help a vehicle engine run smoother plus increase its horsepower. It should be noted though that ONLY flex fuel vehicles can use higher blends of ethanol greater than E10. If you aren’t sure if your vehicle is a flex fuel one, check either the owner’s manual, the gas cap, or look for the flex fuel emblem which should say whether you can use higher blends of ethanol. You can also visit EthanolRetailer.com to see if your own car is flex fuel or if you are looking for a new flex fuel vehicle.

Next time you pull into the fuel station, check to see if they use blender pumps. If they do and you drive a flex fuel vehicle, don’t be afraid to use them. Just remember the benefits that blender pumps have to offer and also realize that you are supporting your local economy and the 26,000 Nebraska corn farmers! If you would like to learn more information about ethanol or Nebraska corn farmers, be sure to visit the Nebraska Corn Board website!

Corn farmers, American Ethanol gearing up for NASCAR season, Daytona

mike@teamdavid.com — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 18:56:00 +0000

The Daytona 500 is just around the corner, with the Budweiser Shootout kicking off events on February 18 and The Great American Race itself set for February 26 – and there's a chance you'll get to see an American Ethanol car in the big race.

A year ago, the Daytona 500 is where American Ethanol and Sunoco Green E15 (15 percent corn ethanol fuel) debuted, with Green E15 being used in every race and American Ethanol appearing on every fuel port, green flag and other marketing positions as the racing season went on.

Following that first year's experience, American Ethanol, a partnership that includes corn farmers in Nebraska (via their support of American Ethanol and NASCAR partner National Corn Growers Association), is gearing up for a bigger and better 2012.

American Ethanol has inked a deal to continue relationships with Richard Childress Racing (RCR) and RAB Racing for the 2012 season.


Wallace's paint out for the Daytona 500.

With RAB Racing, American Ethanol is supporting No. 09 Toyota driver Kenny Wallace in five Nationwide Series races this year. Wallace did a great job representing American Ethanol and American corn farmers last year.

What's really exciting with the RAB partnership this year, though, is American Ethanol is supporting Wallace's attempt to qualify and race in the Daytona 500. His car will feature an American Ethanol paint out for qualifying and the race.

For RCR, Austin Dillon, the 2011 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Champion, will drive the iconic No. 3 Chevrolet during the 2012 NASCAR Nationwide Series season with American Ethanol serving as the primary sponsor for six races as well as one race in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in 2012.

Austin Dillon’s No. 3 American Ethanol
Chevrolet paint scheme.

The first American Ethanol sponsored race for Dillon will be the Daytona Nationwide race, the DRIVE4COPD 300, which is scheduled for February 25. It's a high-profile venue and a great place to prominently feature American Ethanol.

The deal also makes American Ethanol an associate sponsor of the RCR team, with owner Richard Childress as well as RCR’s Sprint Cup Series veterans Kevin Harvick, Jeff Burton and Paul Menard also serving as spokesmen.

Podcast: Bill to increase corn checkoff a priority for NeCGA

mike@teamdavid.com — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 14:18:00 +0000

In this podcast, Brandon Hunnicutt, a farmer from Giltner and member of the Nebraska Corn Growers Association, discusses the Nebraska legislative session, noting that the Nebraska Corn Growers Associations monitors all bills and posts information about those on its watch list.

He said an important bill for NeCGA is LB 1057. The bill would allow an increase in the corn checkoff rate in Nebraska.

"The checkoff rate, at one quarter of one cent, has been unchanged for more than two decades and is the lowest in the country, significantly lower than other major corn-producing states," he said. "Yet Nebraska is the third largest corn producing state and second largest ethanol producing state. As a national leader, we have a responsibility to fund research, education and market development projects. Yet the current rate has half the purchasing power it did when it began, and we’re lagging behind."

Hunnicutt said by increasing the corn checkoff, Nebraska will be able to keep pace with the current needs for market development, research, promotion and education, as well as be in a better position to support livestock producers and the issues they may face in the future.

"A lot of good will come from an increase in the corn checkoff, which is why we support LB 1057 and made it the Nebraska Corn Grower Association’s priority bill for the current legislative session," he said.

For a related post, click here.

Nebraska Corn Kernel podcasts are also available on iTunes! Click here to subscribe.

USDA REAP Grants

mike@teamdavid.com — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 20:20:00 +0000

In this week's staff report, Kim Clark discusses the USDA REAP grant that is available to fuel retailers in rural communities. If you know of a retailer in your community who is interested in installing blender pumps, be sure to share this information with them so that they can apply for the REAP grant. To find more information about the REAP grants, click here.

Grant money available for blender pump installation

mike@teamdavid.com — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 21:30:00 +0000

By Kim Clark, Ag Program Manger for the Nebraska Corn Board

Nebraska has more than 117,000 flex fuel vehicles on the road today, but the places to fill up with E85 and other mid-level ethanol blends are limited. Across the state, there are about 50 E85 pumps and 15 blender pumps.

Where are they located? Most of the E85 and blender pumps are located in rural areas of Nebraska, but the greatest need for them is in the urban areas where a majority of the flex fuel vehicles are located.

Unfortunately, Lincoln, which has approximately 15,000 FFVs, and Omaha, which has about 30,000 FFVs, do not have any blender pumps. In Lincoln you will find four E85 pumps in different areas of the city and in the Omaha metro there are approximately ten E85 pumps.

Other areas with larger populations of FFVs are in Columbus and Norfolk. Once again, there aren’t any blender pumps located in either city. Actually, Norfolk only has one E85 pump and Columbus has none.

With FFV numbers increasing in the state, we need to get more blender pumps installed, especially in the urban areas with large concentrations of FFVs.

The Nebraska Corn Board has grant money available for retailers that install blender pumps. The grant is $5,000 per blender pump up to $20,000 per station location with special consideration given to retailers that install at multiple locations.

For more information about our grant program, visit our website.

Build a solid foundation at Commodity Classic

mike@teamdavid.com — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 15:02:00 +0000

Commodity Classic is coming up fast! It's set for March 1-3 in Nashville. The trade show is already sold out, hotels are filling up quick and rumor has it registrations have already set a record.

If you're new to Commodity Classic, this is the 17th one, and it's where corn, soybean, wheat and sorghum growers come to get the inside scoop on what’s new from the people who make it happen. It's America’s largest farmer-led, farmer-focused convention and trade show.

"Commodity Classic is unlike any other agricultural event," said Commodity Classic co-chair Martin Barbre. "This is where something as simple as a casual conversation with another grower can lead to ground-breaking and money-making improvements on the farm."

There is a wide variety of educational sessions scheduled, many networking opportunities and a sold-out trade show with more than 960 booths displaying the newest technology, equipment, ideas and innovations in agriculture.

"If you want to know where agriculture is headed, this is the place to be," Barbre said, adding that "2012 will be a sound success for growers who attend Commodity Classic with the solid foundation they’ll build after learning about the issues and advancements affecting their operation this year."

Commodity Classic is presented annually by the National Corn Growers Association, American Soybean Association, National Association of Wheat Growers and National Sorghum Producers.

Commodity Classic is open to all friends of soybeans, corn, wheat and sorghum, from growers to member associations to agribusiness to farm media. This is the one-of-a-kind, can't-miss, brain-engaging event for America's farmers!

Here's just a taste what you'll experience at Commodity Classic:

Get the inside scoop on what's new: Many innovative and thought-provoking educational sessions are available -- and you don't have to sign up in advance. Just drop in on any of the sessions that interest you. Between these sessions and the trade show, you'll hear every detail about "what's next" straight from the horse's mouth—and you'll have the chance for dialogue and questions.

Go one-on-one with top ag and industry leaders: You'll have the opportunity to meet and hear people who are leading the charge—and leading the change—in agriculture.T hought leaders in agriculture share innovation, insight and information. From policy to production practices, from innovation to insight—you experience it all.

Be among the first to see new technology, products and equipment: Commodity Classic is the early adopter's paradise. Companies choose Commodity Classic as the place to roll out new products and services. Best management practices are shared. Technological advancements are introduced. If you're looking for ways to improve your production and profitability, you're sure to walk away with game-changing information for your farm.

An amazing trade show with top company representatives: Commodity Classic boasts one of the largest farmer-led trade shows in the nation, featuring acres of displays, equipment and new ideas (all indoors!). Exhibitors know that Commodity Classic attracts the nation's top growers. So they bring their top people to meet with you. It's your chance to ask questions and express your opinions to the suppliers and companies.

Network with other talented growers from across the nation: Growers who attend Commodity Classic say that having the opportunity to meet like-minded family farmers is one of the top benefits of attending. Exchange ideas. Share practices. Learn from each other. It might start with a casual conversation over coffee—and the next thing you know, you have a friend for life.

Witness your member associations in action: Commodity Classic is also where your commodity membership associations get some serious work done. Policy recommendations on a wide variety of issues are debated, discussed and developed. These meetings, led by grower-leader delegates from across the U.S., are open to all attendees.

Have some serious fun: It's not all business...Bring the family for a little R&R. Enjoy top-flight entertainment. Attend an optional tour. Enjoy a good meal with good friends. Kick back and take it all in. Commodity Classic is the perfect place to restore your passion and pride in being an American farmer—and have some fun at the same time.

Smart, sustainable science

mike@teamdavid.com — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:01:00 +0000

Can sustainable and science exist in the same sentence? With corn farming, yes.

Farmers are being more sustainable than ever through responsible stewardship, new genetics and improved management practices, Nebraska corn farmers are growing more corn with less – less fertilizer, less chemicals, less water, less land and less of an impact on the environment. And they use science to achieve all of this.

Through smart, sustainable science, farmers and researchers in agriculture have been able to reduce their usage of energy that it takes to grow a bushel of corn by 37% over the past 30 years.

Through smart, sustainable science, new, innovative fertilization methods have allowed today’s American corn farmers to produce 87% more corn per ounce of fertilizer.
Through smart, sustainable science, monitoring soil moisture levels and measuring the amount of water corn plants lose each day is helping Nebraska corn farmers significantly reduce irrigation and water demand.

Through smart, sustainable science, corn farmers have been able to produce a sustainable, corn-based fuel that is freeing our dependence from foreign oil and is better for the environment: ethanol. When corn farmers take their corn to the ethanol plant, they are producing two products: ethanol – a sustainable fuel for their vehicles, but also a high-quality protein feed for livestock – distillers grains. Two products from one – one more way farmers are growing more on less.

There is no question: Corn farmers can do what America and the world is asking of them: Grow more corn for feed, food, fiber and fuel – and do it in a way that protects the environment and provides economic benefits all along the value chain. That’s smart, sustainable science.

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Read some more posts on Sustainability:

Video: This Land is Your Land

Can Nebraska corn farmers continue to grow more with less?

Growing more with less, someone else sharing your story

Finding the solutions to feed, fuel the world

Does Ethanol Really Have a Future? Why yes it does!

Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois Corn Visit Texas Customers

mike@teamdavid.com — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 13:12:00 +0000

By Kelly Brunkhorst, Director of Research for the Nebraska Corn Board

Growers from the corn boards of Nebraska, Iowa and Illinois recently traveled to Texas to visit with customers and see firsthand the effects of the recent drought. Meetings with associations such as the Texas Cattle Feeders Association and Texas Corn Growers Association provided a great overview of the lingering effects that the 2011 drought has had on cattle numbers and corn production, along with issues that they are addressing on behalf of there membership.

Texas has always been an important customer to these three states due to their large cattle on feed numbers and corn demand that relies on out of state imports. In fact, if the corn produced in the panhandle area of Texas was used consecutively and not spread throughout the year, it would only last 2-3 months. We were able to visit with companies that import corn such as Gavilon and Sunray Coop and those that market distillers grains like Quality Distillers Grain, out of Hereford, TX to those end users such as Cactus Feeders.

Additionally with the drought situation we were able to meet with the North Plains Groundwater Conservation District that is tasked with monitoring and conserving ground water.

So following our meetings what were our take home points. Well no doubt, this area and the demand that it creates are an important market that we want to keep due to the strong use of corn in livestock and ethanol. The Midwest has a great infrastructure that is able to rail corn from the many elevators into this area and having this consistent supply is important to these customers. But the drought has had an impact. Corn production was down by 50-60 percent, many cows were culled, with some sent to the northern pastures of Nebraska since the grass never produced the forage that they need. This has created tight supplies of feeder cattle that will last a while.

But the area continues to be proactive and look to the future. The groundwater district is looking at research into what they call a 200-12 project. The goal is to produce 200 bushel per acre corn on just 12 inches of groundwater through conservation tillage, precision water application and other conservation practices. Research is also being done by cattle producers of maintaining cows and replacement heifers in lots versus range to build the herd back up. This all continues to provide opportunities and demand for corn whether it is as a kernel or in the form of distillers grains.

It was amazing to see the difference across two parts of this great nation this past year. On one hand we see the lingering effects of flooding along the Missouri River and on the opposite, the severe drought in Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico and other states.

Low-oil distillers grains becoming increasingly available

mike@teamdavid.com — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 19:39:00 +0000

U.S. ethanol plants, which produce the feed ingredient distillers grains (DDGS), continue upgrading equipment to extract non-food grade corn oil during the ethanol production process.

While regular DDGS may contain 10-15 percent oil, the low-oil variety contains much less and has different characteristics and feeding values than regular DDGS, as noted in a report from the U.S. Grains Council.

On the left is a non-food grade corn oil immediately
after extraction. On the right is the oil after it settles,
with only the upper portion being sold as oil.
This non-food grade corn oil goes to
biodiesel production or feed.

Of the roughly 200 corn dry mills that produce ethanol, about 90 have oil extraction capabilities, and 105 plants will by this summer.

"On a production basis, about 40 percent of U.S. DDGS produced today is low-oil, and 58 percent will be low-oil by this summer," said Randy Ives of Gavilon, LLC. Ives is value-added advisory team leader for the Council.

Ives explained that low-oil DDGS has higher crude protein and higher levels of amino acids. The concentrated amino acid profile is positive for monogastric animals like poultry and swine, while dairy animals may be able to utilize more product thanks to the lower level of fat in low-oil DDGS.

While its appearance is the same as regular DDGS, the dried, low-oil product has improved flowability.

The Council noted research is underway to help quantify the characteristics of low-oil DDGS. Results will become available later this year.

While buyers and sellers often add the protein and fat numbers together as part of a sales contract, that may need to change going forward.

"This makes asking questions and communicating important," Ives said. "What we really need to do is go back to requesting specific protein and fat levels and then build in a discount schedule to make up for slight differences in the final shipment."

Low-oil DDGS is a great product that has different values for different buyers, depending on the end use, he said. "It’s important for buyers to ask questions and hold suppliers accountable," he added.

Why extract oil?
Just five years ago, few ethanol plants had the ability to extract non-food grade corn oil because the equipment was expensive, and the oil had little value. Now, however, the value of non-food grade corn oil has increased, and plants can extract the oil more efficiently due to improved emulsifiers and centrifuge technology, lowering the payback on oil extraction equipment to as little as six months.

For example, an ethanol plant using 16 million bushels of corn to produce 40 million gallons of ethanol can also produce 135,000 tons of low-oil DDGS and 8 to 12 million pounds of oil.

"With such a positive return, the adoption rate has been incredible," Ives said.

Nebraska Corn Board Staff Report with Kelsey Pope

mike@teamdavid.com — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 21:26:00 +0000

This week the Nebraska Corn Board Director of Advocacy and Outreach, Kelsey Pope, gives a tour of the Nebraska Corn Board website and some of the different social media platforms that it uses!

Video: 'I got you ethanol' – because your car deserves the best

mike@teamdavid.com — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 16:42:00 +0000

"I Got You Ethanol," the title of the music video below, won first place in Iowa Renewable Fuels Association's Fuel the Future high school renewable fuels video contest.

It was produced by and stars Ames (Iowa) High School senior Sam Ennis. In the video Ennis professes his love for his car "Arlene" – and since she deserves the best he got her ethanol. The lyrics cover everything from the environment to economics.

Enjoy!

Biofuels helping U.S., Western Hemisphere become energy self sufficient

mike@teamdavid.com — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 21:14:00 +0000

A year ago, a report by BP noted that the United States’ dependence on foreign oil peaked in 2005 and increased fuel efficiency and the increased use of biofuels like ethanol will further drive down that dependence and the use of oil overall through 2030.

BP came out with an updated report this week and reaffirmed that thinking – but expanded it to say that among energy importing regions, North America, with growth in biofuel supplies and unconventional oil and gas, will turn today’s energy deficit (mainly oil) into a small surplus by 2030.

This does not mean we'll have cut the cord from oil. Instead, that the volume of oil imports in the U.S. would fall significantly, at least in BP's estimation.

Bob Dudley, BP's CEO, said U.S. oil imports have dropped by about one-third since peaking in 2005 and are likely to be half of today’s level in 2030. "The U.S. now produces over 50 percent of the liquid fuel it uses – as opposed to importing the majority, as was the case a few years ago," he said in a speech.

In the report's downloadable booklet (.pdf), BP noted that the import share of oil demand and the volume of oil imports in the U.S. will fall due to rising domestic shale oil production and ethanol displacing crude imports.

When looked at on a hemisphere-basis, the Western Hemisphere may become "almost totally energy self-sufficient" by 2030, as the growth in biofuels production (like ethanol) and oil and gas supplies all expand.

This is how The Guardian reported it: "In a development with enormous geopolitical implications, a large swath of the world taking in North and South America would see its dependence on oil imports from potentially volatile countries in the Middle East and elsewhere disappear, BP said, although Britain and western Europe would still need Gulf supplies."

BP said renewables, including biofuels, will continue to be the fastest growing sources of energy globally, rising at an annual clip of more than 8 percent, much quicker even than natural gas, the fastest growing fossil fuel at about 2 percent a year over the period to 2030.
While BP said biofuels growth will still be "very robust", it did scale it back some due to "more modest expectations of penetration of next generation fuels." (Certainly something that can be worked on.)

The report focuses a great deal on growth markets, especially India and China. In fact, BP predicts that energy demand will soar by 39 percent by 2030 thanks to huge growth in emerging markets like those.

BP said such growth in the rest of the world, principally Asia, will depend increasingly on the Middle East in particular for its growing oil requirements. It said the oil cartel OPEC will grow its market share as a result, reaching 45 percent by 2030 – a level not approached since the 1970s. (Will that have an impact on global stability?)

While oil will continue to lose market share through 2030, BP said the demand for hydrocarbon liquids will still reach 103 million barrels per day in 2030, up by 18 percent from 2010.

This means the world will still need to bring on enough liquids – oil, biofuels and others – to meet that forecast 16 million barrel per day of extra demand by 2030 and replace declining output from existing sources. Where should that focus lie?

Also see:
Biofuels driving down dependence on foreign oil
Big Oil defends tax breaks, massive profits
How many (other) enviromental groups are in bed with big oil?

New fuel blender pump open in Arcadia, Nebraska

mike@teamdavid.com — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 14:49:00 +0000

Motorists in the Arcadia, Nebraska, area have new fuel options thanks to the opening of a new blender pump at Trotter Service.

The blender pump is one of about 60 in Nebraska that offer higher ethanol blends. The blender pump at Trotter Service makes available E10 for all vehicles, as well as mid-level blends (like E30) to E85 for those driving flex fuel vehicles.

More than 117,000 Nebraska motorists currently own a flexible fuel vehicle which can run on any blend of ethanol and gasoline up to E85, according to a joint news release on the opening from the Nebraska Corn Board and Nebraska Ethanol Board.

To confirm if a vehicle is flex fuel, drivers can check their owner’s manual, their gas cap, look for the flex fuel emblem on their vehicle or visit the website www.ne-ethanol.org/e85.

"E85 is cleaner than gas, it’s produced right here in Nebraska and more and more vehicles can use it every day," said Todd Sneller, administrator of Nebraska Ethanol Board. "When flex fuel drivers fill up on E85, they’re strengthening Nebraska’s economy, making our country more energy independent and going easier on the environment."

The pump in Arcadia is one of 15 in Nebraska installed with support from a Nebraska Corn Board grant.

Kim Clark, ag program manager for the Nebraska Corn Board, said another benefit of the blender pump in Arcadia is consumers choice. "This new blender pump will offer flex fuel vehicle owners a fuel choice based on price, performance and availability," she said.

Those interested in Nebraska Ethanol Board’s flex fuel vehicles (FFV) club, which provides updates on new E85 locations and other announcements, can to go www.ne-ethanol.org/ffv to sign up.

To find a list of fuel retailers that offer E85 and mid-level ethanol blends, just go to www.ne-ethanol.org or www.nebraskacorn.org.

Podcast: Golden Ear Award presented, leadership elected at NeCGA annual meeting

mike@teamdavid.com — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 21:26:00 +0000

In this podcast, Carl Sousek, a farmer from Prague and president of the Nebraska Corn Growers Association, provides a report from the organization's annual meeting, which took place recently at the Nebraska Ag Classic in Kearney.

He reports that Keith Glewen was chosen to receive the 2011 Golden Ear Award from the Nebraska Corn Growers Association. The Golden Ear Award is presented annually by NeCGA to recognize and appreciate an individual’s contribution to agriculture.

Glewen is an Extension Educator for the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and is located at the University of Nebraska Agricultural Research and Development Center near Mead, Nebraska. His main area of program focus is row crop production, natural resources and environmental management. As an agronomist he has achieved success in developing field and classroom training programs for industry professionals and growers held annually across the state of Nebraska.

Sousek also notes new NeCGA board members and officers. Two new At-Large Directors for NeCGA were elected, including Chuck Emanuel from North Bend and Lynn Chrisp from Kenesaw. Elgin Bergt from Schuyler was appointed as an ex-officio member of the board.

Officers include Sousek as president; Joel Grams of Minden as vice president, Rick Gruber of Benedict as secretary and Bergt as treasurer.

For a list of top NeCGA member recruiters and more, click here.

Nebraska Corn Kernel podcasts are also available on iTunes! Click here to subscribe.

Nebraska Corn Board provides four internships

mike@teamdavid.com — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 21:04:00 +0000

The Nebraska Corn Board is offering four internships for 2012-2013 and partnering with the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA), U.S. Grains Council (USGC) and U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). For more than two decades, the Nebraska Corn Board has been working with college student interns selected to work beside staff and members of the board as part of an ongoing internship program.

Two internships are new this year – one in Washington, D.C. with USGC and one in Denver, CO, with the USMEF. These are both for the summer of 2012.

For all internships, the deadline is February 15, 2012. For questions, please call the office (402-471-2676) or email ncb.info@nebraska.gov.

Please click on the links below to read more about the opportunities with each internship and how to apply.

2012-2013 Communications & Market Development Internship – Lincoln

2012 Nebraska Corn Board and National Corn Growers Association D.C. Internship

2012 Nebraska Corn Board and U.S. Grains Council D.C. Internship

2012 Nebraska Corn Board and U.S. Meat Export Federation Denver Internship

Read here about previous interns:
Interns important to corn industry in Nebraska
Corn board continues internship programs in Nebraska, D.C.

Nebraska Corn Board Staff Report with Don Hutchens

mike@teamdavid.com — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 21:52:00 +0000

Nebraska Corn Board Executive Director, Don Hutchens, talks about Nebraska's corn industry and some of things that corn producers in the state can look forward to in the coming months.

Nebraska corn growers exploring changes to checkoff

mike@teamdavid.com — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 18:02:00 +0000

Brownfield's Ken Anderson did a report from the Nebraska Ag Classic earlier this week that explores potential corn checkoff options that the Nebraska Corn Growers Association (NeCGA) and Nebraska Corn Board are exploring.

At their annual meeting at Ag Classic, Anderson reported that NeCGA delegates said they want the Nebraska corn checkoff board, which is considered a state agency, to be more autonomous.

Tim Scheer, a farmer from St. Paul and the Corn Board's vice chairman, conducted a lengthy interview with Anderson, covering everything from how the checkoff is organized and how a re-organization could allow the checkoff to be administered more efficiently. He also discussed a potential increase in the checkoff rate and how that could benefit corn farmers and the state as a whole.

NeCGA president Carl Sousek, a farmer from Prague, was also interviewed.

Sousek said NeCGA will also be more aggressive in pursuing an increase in the corn checkoff rate, which has been one-quarter of one cent ($0.0025) per bushel since 1988.

Sousek said they’d like to see it increased to four-tenths ($0.004) or even one-half ($0.005) of one cent per bushel.

"We do have the lowest checkoff rate in the country. We don’t want to fall behind when it comes to our responsibilities on a national level,” Sousek told Anderson, "and we don’t want to fall behind on our responsibilities right here within the state. We want to make sure we support our local investments in research and education and market development right here in the state—and that takes resources."

For the full report, with audio, click here.

UPDATE: A bill was introduced in the legislature today relating to the checkoff. Click here.

Predicting the Weather - by Curt Tomasevicz

mike@teamdavid.com — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 13:50:00 +0000

If anyone should be able to relate to my bobsled team’s recent trouble with the weather, it should be the Nebraska farmers.

Growing up in an ag-based community, I learned how important the weather was to a farmer. People from other parts of the country check the weather forecasts simply so they know whether to wear a jacket or not. In Nebraska, the weather determines the work day or even the week.

Farmers hope for a cooperative April and May. They want the rain to hold off until just after the last field has been planted. Then let the rain come. But, of course, not too much at once so the young crops are forced to extend their roots deep into the ground to provide strength for the wind that is sure to come during the tornado season. They want hot and sunny summer days with scattered moisture to limit the need for irrigation with no destructive tornadoes or hail. Then, toward the end of summer, in September farmers want dry weather to help reduce the moisture content of the corn so they won’t have to run their dryers in the bins constantly before they take their harvest to the Co-ops. During the winter months, it’s best to have a steady amount of snow so the ground can retain moisture for a solid planting season next spring.

The unrealistic weather wants and wishes of the Nebraska farmer could be compared to the weather fantasies of a bobsledder. If you’ve followed my Facebook updates or my website, www.TomaseviczBobsled.com, you’ve seen how tired I am of having to compete against both other teams and the weather. We can’t seem to buy a break.

The Night Train going through a left curve on the natural track in St. Moritz, Switzerland.

Realistically, I guess my expectations don’t make much sense. After all, we are a winter, outdoor sport competing in the Alps, Rockies, and Adirondacks! Blizzards, flurries, and wind storms are going to occur unpredictably. But it seems that the U.S. team has had more than its share of weather unfairness. In our last four weekends of racing, the snow and wind seem to increase only as our sled is going down the hill. The Germans, the Russians, and Canadians get the calm, clear conditions. It may not seem like much of a factor, but every snowflake in the track and each little gust of headwind, affects the speed of the sled. Now, if the conditions were identical for every sled, then the race could be considered fair. But that’s just not how fate works in our sport.

What’s even more ridiculous is that this weekend’s race in St. Moritz, Switzerland is known for weather-induced results. This track is a natural track, meaning that there is no track in the summer. Workers take blocks of ice and snow and carve the 1700+ meters of track by hand. They spray a mist of water, shave the curves, then repeat that process until the track is a complete mile-long ice sculpture. The only problem with that is that, without refrigeration like the other tracks in the world, the surface of the track melts a little in the afternoons in the sunlight. And the small film of water reduces the friction of our runners on the ice. So on this track, for a fair race to take place, we are hoping for a cloudy and cold day. I guess, just like Nebraskan farmers, bobsledders are never satisfied with the weather!

Five Ethanol Stories to Watch for in 2012

mike@teamdavid.com — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 16:00:00 +0000

By Kim Clark, Ag Program Manager for the Nebraska Corn Board

Last week we looked at the Top 5 Ethanol Stories of 2011 according to the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA). This week we will look at the Top Five Ethanol Stories to Watch for in 2012 according the RFA.

1. First commercial availability of E15 for 2001 and newer vehicles. Once federal requirements to certify E15 are complete, E15 will be available on a state by state basis. There are a couple regulations in Nebraska that need to be addressed before retailers in Nebraska can offer E15 after regulation is completed at the federal level. Expect E15 to be certified at the federal level in the first half of 2012.

2. Free and fair trade of ethanol. The United States is the world’s largest producer, consumer and exporter of ethanol. We are also the lowest cost producer. New challenges from ethanol interests in other nations have arisen such as the European Union anti-dumping investigation and the ethanol policies in Brazil. A fair resolution to trade challenges will be important to the continued growth and evolution of domestic ethanol production.

3. Legal activity regarding ethanol may increase. The recent ruling on low carbon fuel standards by a California federal judge stated that California’s LCFS is unconstitutional and was recently appealed. This issue, international litigation and other issues promises to keep lawyers busy this year.

4. Renewable Fuel Standard challenges. Even though this is an election year, and Congress may accomplish less this year than last, there will still be groups that push to amend or eliminate the RFS. The expiration wasn’t good enough for some groups. They are still looking for cheap corn and food versus fuel debates.

5. Answering cellulosic ethanol challengers. There are a couple cellulosic ethanol plants that are working to be up and running this year or early next year. In order for this to be successful, Congress must renew key tax provisions for cellulosic ethanol producers. The RFA and its partner organization, the Advanced Ethanol Council, will make extending these policies a top legislative priority.

Although VEETC expired at the end of 2011, the RFS2 still remains in place. These won’t be the only ethanol stories we will see in 2012, but these are the five main stories that are on the top of our list at the moment. 2012 could be an interesting year and may bring on new ethanol issues and stories.

Podcast: Opportunities for corn in Japan, China and Vietnam

mike@teamdavid.com — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 21:31:00 +0000

In this podcast, the Nebraska Corn Board's Kelly Brunkhorst provides a report on a U.S. Grains Council corn leadership mission that traveled to Japan, China and Vietnam. Brunkhorst was on the mission, which also included association and checkoff staff and farmers from several other corn states.

"The goal is to meet buyers, end users, trade associations and government officials in a key regions of the world," Brunkhorst said. "It helps build relationships between the U.S. corn industry and buyers, as well as provide insight into foreign markets and their needs for those participating in the mission."

Be sure to listen to the podcast for his analysis and reaction.

Nebraska Corn Kernel podcasts are also available on iTunes! Click here to subscribe.

Why Future Generations need Risk Management Skills

mike@teamdavid.com — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 15:00:00 +0000

Last Thursday after one of my classes, I jumped on to the computer and checked the markets. I knew the WASDE (World Agriculture Supplies and Demand Estimates) were going to be coming out, and wasn’t sure what to expect.

As soon as I pulled up the page of the different commodity markets, I was amazed at how fast prices dropped. Just the day before corn was at $6.50 and that morning the market was showing a price of $6.11. Right there was a 39-cent drop, which could have been a 39 cent gain had a producer pulled the trigger and sold it the day before. The reason why we saw such bearish prices on Thursday was from the fact that corn production was estimated to be up by 48 million bushels.

Not only was corn production up but so were the soybean ending stocks. Soybean ending stocks were reported to be up by 45 million bushels. These factors along with a few others caused the commodity markets to become pretty bearish for the day. It is interesting how much the markets can move within hours, even minutes sometimes!

So one who might not be familiar with markets may ask why they can swing so rapidly within a day? There really is no one answer to that question because there are so many different factors that have an impact on the agricultural markets these days. It could be reports, weather, production, news, and many other current events taking place around the world. While it is interesting to see these price swings, it can be nerve racking for a producer who hasn’t locked in prices. There is no doubt that producers have to be able to manage risk in today’s marketing environment. However, my opinion is that risk management will play an even greater role in the future because there will be new risks that will develop. Also, I believe it is important for my generation to learn the different risk management skills available today so that there is a foundation for the future when new risks do develop.

You might be asking yourself about which risks generations like mine will face. The first and foremost will be the end of direct payments from the government and also a more complex crop insurance program. Although in the immediate future, direct payments will be gone; we still have the crop insurance program. However, if our government can’t figure out a way to resolve our debt problem, they may look at doing away with a safety net for farmers and ranchers if commodity prices stay high. Another risk that future generations will have to manage is weather. Although the jury is still out on climate change, there is no doubt that flooding and droughts will stay around for the long run. Will we see them every year? No, but it will be something that we will have to manage, and if the government doesn’t help provide protection against crop or livestock losses, it will be another risk that farmers will solely have to bear.

Many also don’t think debt as being a risk that future generations will have to learn to manage. Right now, the younger generations are seeing the good times in Ag where their fathers or employers are going out and investing in new machinery and better inputs. Some farmers are even able to trade equipment on year-to-year basis because they can afford it and there is very little debt. However, if corn prices fall back to $3, it will become tricky to finance the purchase of new equipment and inputs. Unfortunately, even if markets become very low, manufacturers of agricultural products won’t lower their prices to match poor markets. So that just adds to the risk of managing debt.

As a person can tell by the things I listed, it is going to be very important for generations like mine to have an understanding of risk management, in both today’s markets and in the future. Unfortunately, if farmers or ranchers don’t learn some of the risk management tools that are available, it will become challenging for their farms to remain profitable. As I have mentioned in my previous blogs, I strongly believe agriculture has a bright future as long as we remain working hard and managing the risks and challenges that face agriculture in the future!

Nebraska Corn Board Staff Report with Kelly Brunkhorst

mike@teamdavid.com — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 19:05:00 +0000

Nebraska Corn Board Director of Research, Kelly Brunkhorst, discusses the recent ruling on California's low carbon fuel standard. He also mentions what we might see happen in 2012.

To learn more about what is happening in the corn industry or to learn more about Nebraska corn, be sure to visit our website!

Thanks for watching!

Thanks to bigger yields, irrigated corn is more energy efficient

mike@teamdavid.com — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 14:16:00 +0000

Irrigated corn in Nebraska is highly efficient in the use of energy, water and fertilizer, as the increase in yields more than offset the energy costs of inputs, according to researchers at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

The research paper "High-yield maize with large net energy yield and small global warming intensity," was published online in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. You can view the abstract and view the entire paper here.

The paper was co-authored by Ken Cassman, a UNL agronomist, and Patricio Grassini, a UNL research professor in agronomy and horticulture.

As noted in North Platte Bulletin (click here for the article), the research shows that modern, irrigated, high-input agriculture, even though it uses more fossil fuels than rainfed systems, also produces much higher crop yields. The perception of irrigated agriculture as "energy wasteful" fails to take into account crop-management changes in recent decades that have increased yields without more fertilizer or irrigation, Cassman said in the paper.

"In fact, we found that irrigated corn had substantially larger net energy yield and less greenhouse gas emissions per unit of grain produced than corn from rainfed systems with much smaller input levels and lower yields," Grassini told the paper.

Research findings are based on several years' field data collected from a large number of commercial production fields in Nebraska.

In the Wisconsin Ag Connection (click here), Grassini said that it's important to assess energy efficiency and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of cropping systems on a yield basis, not a land-area basis. For example, it may be possible to achieve a large decrease in GHG emissions in the three Nebraska counties included in the study by converting irrigated cropland into rainfed-only agriculture, but to make up for the estimated 50 percent decrease in grain yield would require an additional 308,000 acres of rainfed corn production.

"Thus, it is penny-wise and pound foolish to convert irrigated agriculture back to dryland production for the sake of reducing greenhouse gas emissions," Grassini told the publication.

"At some point, in a world with limited resources and confronted with emerging challenges such as climate change and limited supplies of fresh water, understanding how all of the world's agriculture performs in terms of net energy yield, greenhouse gas emissions intensity and water and nitrogen productivity is going to be important," Cassman said. "This paper sets standards on how you can do that using real-world farm data."

Yet progress can still be made – as farmers continuously adopt improved management practices, adopt advanced irrigation systems, take advantage of conservation tillage practices, utilize improved hybrids and fine-tune applications of nitrogen fertilizer and irrigation water. (It's sustaining innovation!)

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Cassman, if you recall, published some research in 2009 that examined modern production methods for corn and ethanol – and the results were impressive. One of the best points of that work (see the links below) was that between 10 and 19 gallons of ethanol are produced for each gallon of petroleum used in the entire corn to ethanol production life cycle.

Some have a hard time grasping this – especially after doing a Google search and coming up with some very (very!) dated work by Pimentel that continues, despite being out of date and inaccurate by today's standard, to be repeated by the anti-ethanol crowd.