March
1, 2002 * Volume 9* Number 7
IN THIS ISSUE:
- NCGA Membership
Earns $500 Rebate On GM E85 Pickups
- NCGA Announces
New Ethanol-Diesel Research Project
- NCGA Recognized
for RFS Promotion During RFA Conference
- NCGA Continues
Action on RFS Debate in Washington
- NCGA Urges Farm
Bill Committee to Expedite Negotiations
- NCGA Future
Ag Task Force Presents Choices in Corn Belt Evolution
- 2002 Commodity
Classic Sets New Records
- Bill Nye Gives
'Sound Science' New Meaning with Entertaining Show at NCGA
- Corn Congress
at 2002 Commodity Classic
NCGA Membership
Earns $500 Rebate On GM E85 Pickups
Membership in the
NCGA is bringing more rewards than every before. NCGA and General Motors
have announced a program that will provide a $500 cash rebate to any
current NCGA member who purchases a 2002 Silverado or Sierra pickup.
The rebate applies to purchases of these E85 vehicles between March
1 and May 31, 2002.
The vehicles eligible
are the 2002 model year Chevrolet Silverado and the GMC Sierra 1500-Series
short box, regular or extended cab in either two-wheeled or four-wheeled
drive. The offer is available only to members who have paid their dues
before March 1, 2002. Members who join after March 1 are not eligible
for the rebate.
Other rules include:
You must take delivery of the pickup between March 1 and September 30,
2002. Rebate requests must be received by September 30. The vehicle
must be in the name listed on the approved NCGA membership list. For
example, if the "member" is the name of the business, the vehicle must
be registered in the business name, not the individual business owner's
name.
Once GM program
representatives have verified both customer and vehicle eligibility,
GM will process the applicable rebate check. For more information on
this program, call the GM information number at 1-888-462-3848.
DID YOU KNOW??
The
Leader Resource Center provides the latest information and calendars
for NCGA members on the topics affecting them daily.
NCGA Announces
New Ethanol-Diesel Research Project
The commercialization
of ethanol-blended diesel fuel (E-diesel) took a giant step forward
last week with the announcement of a new research project partnership
among the NCGA, John Deere, the Renewable Fuels Association, the Illinois
Department of Commerce & Community Affairs and corn growers from six
states.
The announcement
was made during the 2002 Commodity Classic Feb. 21-23 in Nashville,
Tenn., sponsored by the NCGA and the American Soybean Association. It
was an appropriate setting, because a theme of the convention's general
session was the opportunity for biofuels. E-diesel is a blend of up
to 15 percent anhydrous ethanol, up to 5 percent special blending additive
(with cetane enhancer), and at least 80 percent of No. 2 diesel. Tests
have indicated the fuel can lower particulate emissions by 20 percent
to 30 percent, reduce sulfur content and out-perform No. 2 diesel in
winter conditions -- all without mechanical changes or problems. The
two-year project will evaluate engine durability, emissions, compatibility
with engines and component parts, safety and actual field testing in
the 4.5, 8.1 and 12-liter John Deere diesel engines for off-road equipment.
The NCGA will coordinate
project funding among the partners. The Illinois Department of Commerce
and Community Affairs is partially funding the project through a $500,000
alternative energy research grant. Additional financial support is provided
by John Deere, the Illinois Corn Marketing Board, the Renewable Fuels
Association, and state corn checkoff boards from Iowa, Michigan, Nebraska,
Kansas and Ohio.
Farmers and the
general public have used 10 percent ethanol in their cars, but this
product is capable of expanding the market for ethanol and subsequently
grind more corn.
The project will
expand knowledge on E-diesel emissions, and will cover storage and handling
requirements, laboratory analysis, wind-tunnel testing, flammability
tests, and parts evaluation.
These tests will
provide a more complete understanding of E-diesel's performance and
will help commercialize the fuel in off-road equipment. For more information
about ethanol, click
here.
NCGA Recognized
for RFS Promotion During RFA Conference
The Renewable Fuels
Association (RFA) is conducting its Annual Ethanol Policy and Marketing
Conference this week in San Diego, where the American Petroleum Institute's
President and CEO Red Cavaney singled out the NCGA for its efforts to
make an RFS a reality. NCGA is a member of a coalition of agriculture
and industry organizations lobbying Congress to include a renewable
fuels standard (RFS) in the national energy bill.
In his address,
Cavaney praised the framework agreement that will support a five-billion-gallon
renewable fuels standard by 2012. He also said this agreement could
not have been made without all the hard work and support given by NCGA,
the RFA and the Farm Bureau. API is solidly behind the idea of an RFS,
which would benefit both agriculture and petroleum interests. Representing
the NCGA at the RFA meeting are NCGA Director of Energy Analysis John
McClelland; Ethanol Marketing Committee Chairman and York, Neb., corn
grower Boyd Smith; and NCGA Manager, Livestock Information and Programs
Tracy Snider.
NCGA encourages
corn growers to contact their elected officials and tell them to support
an RFS. Growers and other RFS supporters can click on the action alert
on the main page of the NCGA web site, www.ncga.com,
to e-mail their Senators and Representatives directly.
NCGA Continues
Action on RFS Debate in Washington
The NCGA recently
signed two letters sent to Congress expressing the need to include a
renewable fuels standard (RFS) in the national energy bill. The first
letter was from the Coalition for a Renewable Fuel Standard, an ad hoc
group including both ethanol and agricultural interests. That letter,
sent to every member of the Senate, their individual support of the
RFS. The letter notes the advantages of adopting a RFS and points out
Congress' historical role in setting standards for energy use and efficiency.
Signed by 13 groups including NCGA, the American Soybean Association,
the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), the Renewable Fuels Association
(RFA), the American Grain Sorghum Producers Association, and the American
Coalition for Ethanol, is the most effort on the part of the Coalition
to directly influence Senators as a vote on the RFS moves closer. A
copy of the letter is available on the NCGA web site, www.ncga.com.
The second letter
was sent in response to a letter sent last week by the Automobile Alliance
and its supporters to Senate Leadership stating opposition to any amendments
to the energy bill that would strip language establishing new standards
for the gasoline Distillation Index (DI). NCGA opposes these new standards
as do the ethanol and oil industries. NCGA, the American Petroleum Institute,
RFA, and AFBF signed the letter that outlines our objections to any
changes in the current level or formulation of DI calculations.
NCGA members are
standing by their association and voiced their support for an RFS by
sending more than 700 letters to the Hill from the Commodity Classic
trade show floor. NCGA encourages the state associations to continue
their push for having members go to the Legislative Action Center and
send e-mail in support of the RFS to their Senators. To contact your
elected officials concerning the RFS or other issues, please visit the
LAC at www.ncga.com.
NCGA Urges Farm
Bill Committee to Expedite Negotiations
The NCGA is urging
members of the Farm Bill Conference Committee to expedite conference
negotiations and support an effective safety net for growers by allocating
at least two-thirds of new funding for agriculture to commodity programs.
Progress in the
conference negotiations is now threatened by the wide gap in funding
for farm benefits between the House and Senate bills. The Congressional
Budget Office estimates commodity program spending in the House-passed
bill is almost $9 billion greater than in the Senate. Congress approved
an additional $73.5 billion over 10 years for additional ag program
funding in its fiscal 2001 budget resolution. Committing at least $48.5
billion to commodity programs will provide the flexibility to craft
workable farm policy and reduce the need for emergency farm assistance,
NCGA told conference committee members. Adequate and stable funding
for commodity programs is considered by NCGA to be the starting point
for everything. With these funds, Congress can provide critically needed
stability for farmers and ranchers when prices are low. NCGA and other
leading commodity groups have played a key role by supporting the additional
funding. That funding can provide the largest-ever budget increase for
conservation programs and generous support for other key areas like
trade and nutrition, even after two-thirds of the money to commodity
programs is allocated.
NCGA shared its
message with conference committee members in a joint letter signed by
eight major commodity organizations.
NCGA Future Ag
Task Force Presents Choices in Corn Belt Evolution
If current ag trends
are to be believed, farming communities are looking at a severe decline
over the next ten years unless growers take it upon themselves to make
changes. It was for this reason, the NCGA organized the Future Structure
of Agriculture Task Force.
At a discussion
session during the 2002 Commodity Classic in Nashville, Task Force Chairman
and Rockwell City, Iowa, corn grower Bill Horan moderated a panel presentation
called "Choices in the Evolution of Corn Belt Agriculture." The session,
attracting a packed house, detailed how mega trend changes will affect
corn growers in the 21st century and outlined choices available to farmers.
The presentation
featured remarks by three other representatives of the 14 members of
the task force that had wrestled with the issues for 18 months before
writing its 20-page report that was released at Commodity Classic. The
panelists focused on showing the growers in attendance how they can
seize the opportunities in ag's most promising ventures, such as pharmaceuticals,
bio-based products, identity-preserved food chains or value-added cooperatives.
Horan went on to
discuss the demographics facing commodity agriculture, noting the large,
family-owned farms are producing roughly 90 percent of the food supply.
According to his presentation, that makes up only 10 percent of the
farms in the nation.
These farms are
the engines keeping ag exports and bulk markets, like feed and ethanol,
globally competitive. With new technologies on the horizon, the report
says growers can only expect these farms to get larger. But, value-added
agriculture has evolved to deliver high quality, consistent specialty
products to more demanding consumers.
DID YOU KNOW??
http://www.ncga.com
offers up-to-date Ag News, Weather and Market information.
Customize weather
information to your local area. Check it out!
2002 Commodity
Classic Sets New Records
After three days
of educational sessions, conferences, award presentations, trade shows
and entertainment, the 2002 Commodity Classic, hosted by the NCGA and
the American Soybean Association (ASA), ended Saturday night on a high
note, appropriately enough at the legendary Grand Ole Opry. The Commodity
Classic's theme was "In Tune With the Future" and on the convention's
final evening, growers and their families were entertained by the country
stylings of singer Louise Mandrell and the band, Riders in the Sky.
Commodity Classic,
in its seventh year as a joint NCGA/ASA convention, set a new record
by attracting 1,316 corn and soybean growers. The total number of registrants
tallied 3,900, slightly below the record set last year of 3,945. Another
example of Classic's high visibility was the keynote speech on Friday
by Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman. At the Commodity Classic General
Session, Secretary Veneman addressed growers and industry representatives
on vital agricultural issues including 2002 Farm Bill prospects, free
trade and the importance of renewable energy. A highlight of the three-day
event was the awards banquet Friday night. The winners of this year's
National Corn Yield Contest, NCGA's top recruiters and states with outstanding
membership marketing programs were recognized during a well-produced,
professional show. The evening was topped off by the sounds of the band,
BlackHawk, who have achieved platinum-album status on the strength of
songs like "Goodbye Says It All."
The Commodity Classic
trade show featured 624 booths from 170 agricultural and industry representatives.
At the NCGA booth, grower-leaders met with Commodity Classic visitors
to discuss the key issues of NCGA, ethanol and the renewable fuels standard
(RFS), 2002 Farm Bill, trade and Trade Promotion Authority (TPA), transportation,
research, and biotechnology. From the NCGA booth, growers sent 1,500
e-mails totheir elected officials encouraging action on issues such
as the 2002 Farm Bill, the inclusion of a RFS in the national energy
bill and the passage of TPA. Commodity Classic was also the setting
for sessions of Corn Congress, NCGA's delegate body that also meets
in July in Washington, D.C. During Corn Congress, NCGA passed a resolution
supporting a renewable fuels standard (RFS) in the next energy bill.
The RFS, if passed, could affect the nation's corn growers more than
almost any issue they are facing right now. NCGA leaders said the nation's
corn growers need a comprehensive energy policy that includes an RFS,
a tax credit for small ethanol plants, and access to greater domestic
supplies.
Bill Nye Gives
'Sound Science' New Meaning with Entertaining Show at NCGA
Corn Congress
The NCGA Corn Congress
had an unorthodox presentation at the 2002 Commodity Classic. Some growers
may not have known who the opening act was, but their children did.
Bill Nye, the Science Guy, make science understandable and fun in his
syndicated television programs and books. Monsanto and General Motors
sponsored Nye's appearance at NCGA's Corn Congress on Saturday, Feb.
24, where he talked to NCGA members about how renewable resources are
science fact, not science fiction.
"Mother Nature put
a lot of work into making corn," said Nye. "Only farmers put in more
work than Mother Nature." Using NCGA members and their children as assistants,
Nye conducted experiments to show the assembled growers, spectators
and media how using solar power and renewable resources will be more
profitable in the future than petroleum-based products. Nye also appeared
at the Monsanto booth at the Commodity Classic trade show to speak to
visitors, sign autographs, and pose for pictures. After Nye warmed up
the crowd, it was business as usual for the Corn Congress session. The
final session of Corn Congress was an important one, and included passage
of a resolution supporting the inclusion of a renewable fuels standard
(RFS) in the next energy bill. The resolution also included a call for
greater domestic exploration, as well as a small producer tax credit.
Currently, NCGA
is part of a coalition of agriculture and industry groups lobbying Congress
for an RFS, which would create a floor of five billion gallons of ethanol
production over 10 years. This would have the potential of raising the
price of corn that farmers receive by three to four cents per bushel
per year over a decade.
Growers are encouraged
to contact their congressional delegations via the Legislative Action
Center at www.ncga.com and explain
why an RFS needs to be included in the nation's energy bill.
NCGA THIS WEEK
- March 4-5 Ethanol
Marketing Committee Chairman Boyd Smith will attend a Grain Elevator
and Processing Society (GEAPS) conference in Vancouver, British Columbia,
Canada
- March 6-8 NCGA
CEO Rick Tolman will be in Mexico attending Trades and Disputes meeting
organized by the Policy Disputes Information Consortium
- March 6-8 NCGA
Vice President of Marketing Brian Stockman, Membership Services Manager
Byron Keelin and Director of Technology Rodger Mansfield will attend
the Grower Services Action Team meeting in Greensboro, N.C.
- March 6-8 NCGA
Vice President of Operations Mike Rohan will be in Chicago attending
an AgVision 2020 meeting
- March 6-8 NCGA
Production and Marketing Director Paul Bertels will attend the Production
and Stewardship Action Team meeting in Kansas City, Mo.
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