News

MCGA fights back against smears and attacks
MCGA is in the midst of a comprehensive communications campaign designed to achieve two major goals: re-enforce a positive image of corn farmers; and to increase the positive perception of renewable fuels as a homegrown, cleaner burning renewable part of our energy mix. This campaign is funded in part through a generous contribution from Minnesota’s soybean organizations, and consists of three major components: paid media advertising, increased public relations efforts and an enhanced Web presence.

Our public relations efforts have been increased to push our positive message out to more media outlets more frequently. The result is an increased number of interviews with grower leaders by correspondents in television, radio and print.

Ads with five different messages were placed in the state’s two largest newspapers, the Minneapolis StarTribune and the St. Paul Pioneer Press. Similar messages were used in radio ads currently running in greater Minnesota. A third leg of the paid campaign is a fleet of trucks traveling the southern 1/3 of the state, completely “wrapped” with positive messages about the value of the Minnesota farmer.

All told, our paid media message will have made more than 15 million impressions by the end of the summer.

Finally, we’re redeveloping our website to give you more information to combat negative perceptions of corn, agriculture and renewable fuels on your own. The site also contains such popular features as access to markets and weather, contact information for policy makers, a daily story and our unique variety plot report generator, as well as new information about research we’re funding. Head on over to the MCGA website and see it for yourself.

EPA approves conversion of specific vehicles to E85
On May 14, 2008 the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a Certificate of Conformity to Flex Fuel U.S., LLC for the conversion of specific 2006 model year Chrysler and Dodge vehicles to operate on E85.

The Flex-Box Smart Kit™ is an easy-to-install system that allows the driver to operate their vehicle on any combination of ethanol and gasoline. This system is a compact unit that mounts in the engine compartment. It continuously monitors the engine’s emissions and delivers supplementary fuel injections to allow the vehicle to operate at an optimal level of performance.

“We congratulate Flex Fuel U.S. for their hard work and ground-breaking accomplishment. This conversion approval is only the beginning,” said Tim Gerlach, assistant executive director of the Minnesota Corn Growers Association. “Now that the first has made it through the process, more are likely to follow.”

The Flex-Box Smart Kit™ is compatible for the 2006 Dodge Charger, Magnum SRT-8 and Chrysler 300 all with 5.7L Hemi engines for passenger and fleet models. Click here to download a brochure on the Flex-Box Smart Kit™

Midwest Governors call on EPA to uphold Renewable Fuels Standard
The group of ten governors that make up the Midwestern Governors Association continued to provide national-caliber leadership in these times of economic and energy uncertainty. A letter composed by the govs, sent on June 6, called on the EPA to uphold the 2007 Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS), which has set aggressive but realistic goals for the inclusion of higher amounts of ethanol and other biofuels in the nation's transportation fuels supply.

"The RFS passed by Congress in December requires the use of 9 billion gallons of corn based ethanol this year-that is an amount the U.S. ethanol industry can definitely supply, and it represents a significant displacement of oil," said Roger Moore, president of Minnesota Corn Growers Association.

The governors noted that ethanol provides a great benefit to the environment and human health, in addition to its economic and energy security benefits. Ethanol has been proven to reduce greenhouse gases and emissions of particulates and other toxins contained in gasoline. Click here to read the rest of this story.

Rising energy costs, not biofuels, are driving food price increases, Texas A&M reports
The rising prices for oil and natural gas, and the related price increase in fertilizers, constitute the main drivers for the increased prices of everything from milk, eggs and meat to fruits and vegetables, according to a study conducted by the Agricultural Food Policy Center at Texas A&M University. Further, they show that energy prices are hitting people in the pocketbook far harder than food price increases.

Also, contrary to some media reports, biofuels are not a major contributing factor to the increases in food prices, the report says. “The underlying force driving changes in the agricultural industry, along with the economy as a whole, is overall higher energy costs, evidenced by $100 per barrel oil.”

In Minnesota we can trace the story of the transportation fuel increases that have occurred across the nation: at the end of February 2007 the average price of gasoline was $2.20 a gallon. Currently, regular unleaded gasoline goes for around $3.30 a gallon, a 50 percent rise over last year’s prices. Click here for the rest of the story.

From corn-based beer cups to flex-fuel team cars, pro baseball is going green
Some of the nation’s major league baseball teams are including cups made from biodegradable cornstarch in this season’s lineup. Both the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Oakland A’s have made moves towards becoming more environmentally savvy leading off with the use of corn-based beverage cups. The Pirates have also reported printing game-day programs with soy-based inks and providing flex-fuel vehicles for team scouts.

These teams are not the only ones to step up to the plate when it comes to reducing environmental carbon footprints. Last summer the Cleveland Indians put up solar panels at Progressive Park and the Boston Red Sox are in the process of installing them at Fenway Park. The Seattle Mariners recycle food waste, as well as paper and plastic containers. The Washington Nationals’ new $311 million stadium is the first big league ballpark to meet standards set by the U.S. Green Building Council. It will have energy-efficient lighting, ultra low-flow lavatory faucets, low-flush toilets, recycling bins, a green roof, bike racks and preferential parking for high-mileage cars.

"By getting America's pastime to embrace environmentalism, we can move beyond the debates about left, right and politics," says Allen Hershkowitz, a senior scientist at National Resources Defense Council, longtime Mets fan and manager of his son's little league team. Hershkowitz is especially hopeful that baseball's green drive will influence fans too. "There's nothing comparable to the brand loyalty that professional sports teams generate." –Thanks to NCGA’s Corn Commentary for the story idea

Minnesota Corn Growers Association and Minnesota Soybean Growers Association will hold their 2009 annual meetings back-to-back

Shakopee, Minn., March 3, 2008 – Minnesota’s corn organizations have reached an agreement with Minnesota Soybean Growers Association (MSGA) to hold their annual meetings on successive days next year at Jackpot Junction Casino Hotel in Morton, Minnesota. MSGA will meet on Wednesday, January 7, 2009, and Minnesota Corn Growers Association will meet on Thursday and Friday, January 8 and 9. For more on this story, please check the MCGA website.

Minnesota completes two studies in process to certify E20
Two out of three preliminary studies completed by Minnesota institutions are now complete and show that no performance or materials compatibility issues stand in the way of considering a 20 percent ethanol blend for universal use in motor vehicles. The University of Minnesota has completed a drivability study and Minnesota State University - Mankato tested the spectrum of engine materials that come in contact with fuel, to ascertain the compatibility of an E20 formulation with the range of cars and trucks driven on American roads today.

Supporters, including Minnesota Corn Growers Association, the Renewable Fuels Association and Governor Tim Pawlenty have begun lobbying the federal government to fund and accelerate the remaining test protocols that would lead to EPA certification of the fuel.

Additional information can be found at www.mncorn.org

Flushing out the whole story: Minnesota Corn Growers dissolve myths on ethanol water usage
Recent reports on water usage by the ethanol industry need an airing out, the Minnesota Corn Growers Association (MCGA) said Thursday. Like most industries, ethanol processing requires water, the Association said, but this requirement should be viewed within the larger context of water consumption by other activities.

"In 2005, Minnesota's ethanol industry used less than two-tenths of one percent of all water used in the state," said Roger Moore, president of the Minnesota Corn Growers Association. "At the same time, the Twin Cities Metro area used as much water in two days as all of the ethanol plants in the state use in one year."

When the facts are put into perspective, it is easy to see that the ethanol industry use of water is much less than other common commodities and uses. The U.S. Geological Survey estimates that it takes:
2- 3 Gallons of Water to produce 1 Gallon of Ethanol Versus ...

9.3 gallons of water - one can of vegetables
16.6 gallons of water - one pound of beet sugar
24 gallons of water - one pound of plastic
44 gallons of water - one gallon of refined crude oil
1,500 gallons of water - one barrel of beer
2,075 gallons of water - 4 tires
107,000 gallons of water - average home use in one year

Click here to read the rest of this MCGA press release.

MCGA announces the 2008 Member Reward Program
Being a current member of the Minnesota Corn Growers Association enters you in a monthly drawing for a chance to win a $100 Visa gift card. The drawing will be held on the second Monday of each month throughout the 2008 calendar year. Any current MCGA member, with the exception of grower leaders, staff, and their spouses, will be entered into the drawing each month and will be eligible to win. Member must be 18 years of age or older, and can only win once. Winner announcements will be made via Leader Update and postal mail so keep your eyes on your mailbox. For more information contact Missy Gilbertson at the MCGA office.

6000 Club Recruiter Challenge
Help MCGA reach our membership goal of 6000 members! Our goal is to reach and maintain 6000 members throughout 2008. In the month the goal is reached, everyone who helped achieve this goal will have their name entered into a drawing to win a $600 VISA gift card. All recruiters will have their name entered once for each member recruited (new or renewed) from January 1, 2008 through the month that the goal is reached. You read it correctly, if you recruit 50 people, you will have your name entered 50 times into the drawing. Start recruiting today!

SOYBEAN NEWS

Facility That Will Study Soybean Rust Opens In Minnesota
Soybean producers now have another ally in the fight against plant disease. On June 11, the University of Minnesota opened a Level Three Plant Pathology Research Facility, allowing researchers to study some of the most deadly plant diseases in quarantine. USDA’s Department of Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) inspected the research facility three weeks ago, opening the door for its commission yesterday. The state-of-the-art facility is the only one of its kind in the Midwest, and one of only three in the country. "Today is a great day, not only for Minnesota soybean farmers, but also for wheat farmers, the timber industry, the university and the entire state," Minnesota Soybean Growers Association (MSGA) Vice President Larry Muff said. Researchers will be able to quarantine and study infectious plant pathogens such as Asian soybean rust, Ug99 stem rust (wheat) and Sudden Oak Death. MSGA and the Minnesota Soybean Research and Promotion Council (MSR&PC) both played key roles in the development of the facility, which is the final piece of a $24 million plant growth facilities project at the university. MSR&PC supplied checkoff funds and MSGA lobbied legislators to secure state funding for this work.

ASA Voting Delegates Set Policy Direction For 2008-2009
Soybean producers gathered in Nashville last week to review and revise the policy direction of the American Soybean Association (ASA). One hundred thirty-four producers from ASA’s 25 state affiliates served as voting delegates in this annual process that guides the ASA as it pursues future initiatives to improve U.S. soybean farmer profitability. The voting delegates session was held on Saturday, Mar. 1, following conclusion of the Commodity Classic Convention and Trade Show. Delegates made the most significant modifications and additions to resolutions dealing with farm policy, production, biodiesel, trade, and organizational issues. Details of these modifications and additions can be found in the ASA newsroom at soygrowers.com/newsroom/news.htm in a news release titled, "ASA Voting Delegates Set Policy Direction for 2008-2009."

ASA To Host Annual Congressional Soyfoods Luncheon On Capitol Hill
Mark your calendars and whet your appetites. The American Soybean Association will host the Sixth Annual Congressional Soyfoods Lunch on Capitol Hill on Mar. 11 in Washington, D.C. It will be held in the Longworth House Office Building, Room 1300, from noon to 1:30 p.m. This annual luncheon is an ideal forum for ASA and sponsoring partners to showcase products and demonstrate the importance of soyfoods to sound nutrition. Last year, close to 400 guests were provided with a taste of why soyfoods are playing an increasing role in the diets of so many Americans. The menu this year includes smoky chicken quesadillas, steak fajitas, edamame tomato salsa, black and white chili, tropicana garden salad and assorted cookies. Partnering with ASA for this event are the following Gold Level Sponsors: Archer Daniels Midland Company, Monsanto, QUALISOY, Silk, and Soyfoods Council.

ASA Meets With Farm Bill Leaders In Washington, D.C.
Last week, American Soybean Association (ASA) leaders came to Washington, D.C. to speak up for soybean growers on Farm Bill issues during meetings with key members of the Senate and House Agriculture Committees. ASA participants included: President John Hoffman; Chairman Rick Ostlie; Board Directors Ed Hegland, Bob Henry and Mark Detweiler; and ASA staff. The group communicated strong opposition to an alternative version of the 2008 Farm Bill released by the leadership of the House Committee on Agriculture and the Bush Administration. That plan surrenders to the short-sighted budget and policy priorities of the Bush Administration rather than a compromise with the Farm Bill passed by the Committee and the full House last year. It reverses the limited progress ASA achieved in the House bill to provide more equitable income support to soybean producers, and sufficient funding to make U.S. biodiesel producers competitive with imported biodiesel. Worse yet, the plan makes changes to the loan deficiency payment program that dramatically weaken the income safety net and disadvantage soybean, corn and other feed grains, and wheat farmers compared to current law.

House Approves Energy Tax Bill
On Feb. 27, the House of Representatives approved the Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act of 2008 (H.R. 5351) in a 236-to-182 vote. The package, funded in part by repealing tax benefits for the oil and gas industry, extends the biodiesel tax incentive for two years through Dec. 31, 2010, and retroactively denies the biodiesel tax incentive on “splash-and-dash” transactions of fuel brought to the United States to claim the tax credit and then shipped to other countries. The bill also limits the tax incentive to biodiesel that is produced for consumption in the United States, meaning that U.S. exports of biodiesel would not be eligible for the tax credit. The American Soybean Association strongly supports the extension of the biodiesel tax incentive and the elimination of the practice of “splash and dash.” However, ASA believes that efforts to eliminate “splash and dash” should be crafted in a manner that allows U.S. biodiesel producers to maintain competitive access to export markets. It is unclear what the Senate’s next steps are on H.R. 5351. The Administration has signaled opposition to the measure based on provisions in the bill unrelated to biodiesel.

Farm Bill Outlook Clouded By Veto Threat, Savings Dispute
The path to completion of the 2008 Farm Bill is clouded by continuing threats by the Bush Administration to veto both the House and Senate versions if changes aren’t made in Conference, and by disagreement over savings provisions included in the Senate bill. At a briefing by Acting Agriculture Secretary Chuck Conner and Barry Jackson, Senior Policy Advisor in the White House, representatives of ASA and other agriculture organizations were told that overall spending in the final Farm Bill must not exceed the budget baseline established by the Congressional Budget Office last February. They stated that the President would veto any bill that uses increased taxes to offset additional spending, and that producers with more than $200,000 in Adjusted Gross Income should be ineligible to receive farm program benefits. ASA and other groups also met with staff for Senator Saxby Chambliss (R-GA), Ranking Republican on the Senate Agriculture Committee, to discuss how to help move the farm bill process forward before program authorities and funding expire on March 15, 2008. Staff indicated there is disagreement between the Senate Finance Committee and the House Ways and Means Committee over the savings that can be claimed for codifying the economic substance doctrine used by the IRS in disqualifying corporate tax deductions. Under this policy, companies need to be able to prove their tax breaks contribute economic benefits, not just reduce their taxes. Savings from this provision in the Senate bill were used to fund a permanent disaster assistance program, which could be in jeopardy if the Ways and Means Committee doesn’t agree with the Senate savings estimates. Further complicating efforts to resolve this dispute are pending decisions in Congress on whether to include the economic substance provision in an economic stimulus package intended to jump-start the lagging U.S. economy. The resulting delay is holding up the conference process between the two agriculture committees, since no one is sure how much the Senate bill actually costs.

ASA President In Washington To Champion Soybean Grower Farm Bill Views
American Soybean Association President John Hoffman is in Washington, D.C. making key visits regarding soybean growers’ views on the Farm Bill. Hoffman and ASA Washington representatives expect to meet with House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson (D-MN), as well as staff for Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Tom Harkin (D-IA) and Senator Chuck Grassley (D-IA). The House reconvened on Jan. 15 and the Senate will do likewise on Jan. 22. ASA continues to meet with policymakers and their staffs to rally support for a new Farm Bill, rather than an extension. The Administration continues to threaten a veto of the Farm Bill. On Thursday while in Washington, D.C., Hoffman will speak on a panel during the Environmental Sustainability Summit hosted by the Grocery Manufacturers of America. His presentation will provide information about ASA’s sustainability efforts with partners in the food value chain. See www.gmaonline.org/events/2008/sustainability/program.htm for more information.

U.S. Agriculture Exports Set Record, Soybean Forecast Exceeds $10 Bil
U.S. farm exports during fiscal 2008 are forecast to surge to a record $91 billion, obliterating the previous record of $81.9 billion set just last year, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). If realized, the 2008 total would be up $7.5 billion from USDA’s August estimate. "This outlook is largely supported by continued strong demand, tight markets and sharply higher prices for grains and oilseeds, and a weaker dollar," said USDA. USDA said soybean exports will total $10.4 billion in Fiscal 2008, due to growing demand from China, an increase of $1.9 billion from 2007. Wheat exports were revised higher to $7.5 billion, up $1.1 billion from 2007. The forecast for corn was increased to $10.2 billion from $8.9 billion.

USDA Revises WIC Program, Adds Soybeans, Tofu and Soymilk
The American Soybean Association (ASA) applauds revisions recently announced by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program that will increase the availability of soy products to program recipients. Dried and canned whole soybeans will be included as a meat alternative in the WIC food package. Fortified soymilk and tofu will be available to pregnant and lactating women, though children in the WIC program will need medical documentation to receive fortified soymilk and tofu. According to the Soyfoods Association of North America, USDA received 2,107 comments opposing the medical documentation as an unnecessary administrative burden. Under the WIC program, recipients receive vouchers for specific foods, averaging about $39 a month in 2007. The addition of tofu and soymilk recognize the demands of ethnically and culturally diverse populations. ASA provided comments on the proposed regulations in November of 2006; the changes will be effective in February of 2008.

Trials Show Early Season Benefits of Seed Treatment
The American Soybean Association (ASA) and Plant Health Care, Inc. (PHC) today announced preliminary findings from the "N-Hibit™ Partnership" Field Trial Program. Growers on 140 farms in 22 states are participating in the program to evaluate N-Hibit as a tool to lower Soybean Cyst Nematode pressure and improve plant health. "With an ever-growing global demand for soybeans, and the reduced number of soybean acres planted in the U.S. this year, we have to find ways to grow more soybeans on every acre planted," said ASA Vice President Rob Joslin. "Improving plant health can help us grow more soybeans and improve our competitiveness in world markets." Early results from 34 of the trial sites indicate the N-Hibit treated seed is producing greater root and plant weight, and more nodes per acre in 85 percent of the comparisons. "Plant weights, including root weights, were 11 to 12 percent greater with N-Hibit-treated soybeans, implying that these plants have achieved better early season growth," said Ned French, PHC Director of Field Biology and Development. "N-Hibit treated soybeans are averaging 14 percent more nodes per acre, which suggests improved plant establishment (plants/acre) and early season growth (nodes/plant). More nodes per acre can be indicative of a higher potential yield." For more information, see the ASA news release.

New On-Line Marketplace Brings All-Things-Biodiesel Together
The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) has launched a one-stop marketplace for biodiesel interests to do business over the Internet. The NBB launched the biodiesel commerce Web site, AllThingsBiodiesel.com, at its National Biodiesel Conference & Expo this week in San Antonio. The site is the world's largest biodiesel marketplace, focusing on products, services and industry-related companies. A variety of services assembled within it include online ads and classified ads, the biodiesel store and a biodiesel directory, in which companies can be listed for free. "We recognized that as our industry grew, it would need a service like this, and it makes sense for NBB to take this step since our Web site has a reputation as the leading resource for biodiesel information worldwide," said NBB CEO Joe Jobe. "This truly allows biodiesel information, service and product seekers a one-stop shop.

BQ-9000 Standards Ensure Highest Quality Biodiesel Fuel quality is of the utmost concern and importance to the biodiesel industry. That is why Iowa biodiesel manufacturers are disturbed at the findings made public in a study by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). The NREL recently released a study showing that some biodiesel producers are not properly monitoring the quality of fuel they produce. All biodiesel must be analyzed to ensure that it meets ASTM standards. ASTM International Standards Worldwide develops high-quality, market-relevant international standards used around the globe. In an effort to control and minimize the number of biodiesel producers who do not properly monitor biodiesel quality, the National Biodiesel Board (NBB) formed the National Biodiesel Accreditation Commission. The Commission put into place a program for companies who produce and/or sell biodiesel and biodiesel blends, called BQ-9000. BQ-9000 combines ASTM biodiesel standards with a program that includes quality control for storage, sampling, testing, blending, shipping, distribution, and fuel management practices. Purchasing biodiesel from a BQ-9000 certified marketer or accredited producer provides additional assurance and confidence that the biodiesel will meet all quality standards. To learn more about the Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) or about soy biodiesel, visit ISA’s Web site at www.iasoybeans.com or visit the National Biodiesel Board’s Web site at www.biodiesel.org.