July 1, 2008--Kansas Growers Plant Largest Corn Crop in Modern History
Kansas farmers planted 4.1 million acres of corn this year, according to the Kansas Agricultural Statistics Service. The 2008 acreage estimate represents a five percent increase over 2007 and is the highest corn acreage in Kansas since 1936. The increased acreage shows a strong grower commitment to provide a plentiful supply of corn for the livestock and ethanol industries, according to the Kansas Corn Growers Association and Kansas Corn Commission.

Kansas growers planted 90 percent of their corn acres with varieties enhanced with biotechnology. 25 percent was planted with Bt corn, 30 percent with herbicide resistant corn, and 35 percent with stacked gene varieties with both insect and herbicide resistance.

“Our growers are doing what it takes to meet the demand. In Kansas we are increasing acres and using better corn varieties to supply our state’s livestock feeders and ethanol plants with the grain they need,” according to Ken McCauley, White Cloud. McCauley is chairman of National Corn Growers Association and serves on the Kansas Corn Commission.

In 1936, farmers planted 5.1 million acres of corn in Kansas. Of that, only 497,000 acres were harvested with a yield of 6 bushels per acre. Total production was just 2.96 million bushels.

Grain sorghum and corn plantings are also up. Growers planted 2.85 million acres of grain sorghum, up 2 percent from 2007. Growers planted a record 3.2 million acres of soybeans, up 23 percent from 2007.

Combined feedgrain acres in Kansas (corn and sorghum) total 6.95 million acres, up 3.7 percent from 2007. Corn and grain sorghum are both valued in Kansas for livestock and ethanol production.

5-16-08--Rumors of Ethanol Disinformation Campaign Prove to Be True

In early May, the Kansas Corn Growers Association put out a news release pointing to rumors of a well-funded public relations campaign against ethanol funded by the food manufacturers industry. This week, Roll Call, a Capitol Hill newspaper, outed the Grocery Manufacturers Association’s smear campaign. On Thursday, Iowa Senator Charles Grassley went a step further, making a statement about the campaign on the Senate floor. The Senator also posted the GMA request for proposal as well as the public relations campaign proposal from Washington, DC firm Glover Park which was one of the firms hired for the job.

The Kansas Corn Growers Association along with the National Corn Growers Association thanked Senator Grassley and Roll Call for reporting on the disinformation campaign. Corn growers will continue to combat these well-funded public relations campaigns with facts.

“Commodity prices account for less than 20 percent of the cost you pay for food at the checkout. Even today’s higher commodity prices have very little effect on the price of food. The other 80 percent of the grocery costs which include transportation, packaging and processing are greatly affected by rising energy costs,” according to KCGA Executive Director Jere White. “We’re not saying it doesn’t cost more to produce groceries today, but main culprit is not the farmer, not higher grain prices and not ethanol.”

The public relations proposal prepared for GMA suggested several tactics.

“First, we must obliterate whatever intellectual justification might still exist for corn-based ethanol among policy elites. ... Second, we must demonstrate to policy makers at the state and federal level that there is a political price to allowing ethanol policy to drive up the cost of food,” the Glover Park firm’s proposal stated.

Senator Grassley read a statement on the Senate floor Thursday chastising chastised GMA for its tactics.

“They’ve outlined their strategy of using environmental, hunger and food aid groups to demonstrate their contrived “crisis,” Grassley said. “I think it’s important for policy-makers and the American people to know who’s behind this effort.”

The national media has already bought into much of the misinformation that has been promoted by the GMA and their public relations blitz. Public perception of agriculture and ethanol has already been damaged by these efforts.

“We are asking the public and our policy makers to look past the rhetoric and misinformation being manufactured by high powered Washington DC public relations firms, and simply use some common sense and look at the facts,” White said. “Look at your own budget—the main driver in increased spending in your house is higher fuel and energy costs. The same holds true for grocery manufacturers and for farmers alike. It doesn’t make sense to go after the ethanol industry, which is adding 7 billion gallons of refined fuel to our nation’s energy supply. Without ethanol, our energy costs would be even higher.”

NCGA President Ron Litterer said corn growers were disappointed the food manufacturers took this action.

“It is simply unfathomable that food companies through the Grocery Manufacturers Association chose to smear their farmer-suppliers rather than cooperate with us to meet the growing challenge for America’s fuel needs,” Litterer said. “Unfortunately, from what we’ve heard this is not the only campaign in the works to place the blame on agriculture.”

5-5-08-Consumers to Pay for Several Months of Corn, Ethanol Bashing
Despite several research studies showing that ethanol production and higher corn prices have only a small effect on consumer prices, anti-ethanol forces have teamed up to sway public opinion against farmers and the fuel they produce. The Kansas Corn Growers Association believes facts, not well-funded public relations campaigns, should prevail.

“We are hearing that the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) has embarked on a multi-million campaign through a Washington, DC public relations firm to turn public opinion against corn-based ethanol,” according to Kansas Corn Growers Association Executive Director Jere White. “Several credible studies released this year show high fuel prices have a much greater impact on food prices than higher corn prices.”

White said consumers are wondering why there has been little connection made between fuel prices and grocery prices.

“That’s where the story gets interesting. In addition to GMA, we are told the oil industry has chipped in millions to the campaign as well,” White said. “Consumers are paying higher prices at the pump and at the checkout. Then the oil companies and food companies are using that money to blame ethanol for higher food and fuel prices.”

While corn and ethanol producers have the facts on their side, it will be difficult to beat a multi-million campaign aimed at rolling back the advances made by the ethanol industry, much of which is owned by growers. Corn growers have been working to make sure the public is receiving both sides of the story.

“Corn and ethanol producers simply don’t have millions of dollars to spend on glossy PR campaigns,” White said. “What we do have are facts: several studies showing that ethanol production and higher corn prices account for just a fraction of the increase consumers are paying at the grocery store. Commodity prices account for less than 20 percent of the cost of groceries, the rest is transportation, packaging, marketing and other factors. Plus, ethanol actually reduces the cost of gas for consumers at the pump”

While food prices are higher, White points out prices for non-food items are also higher, including things farmers purchase to grow their crops like fuel and fertilizer.

“It doesn’t take much common sense to understand that the big driver in increased grocery prices is fuel prices,” White said. “Sure you’re paying more for food, but you’re also paying more for laundry soap and toilet paper. Production and transportation costs are up primarily because of increased fuel prices—especially diesel prices. The real story is $120 crude oil and the foreign regimes it supports. It is time we say enough and support America first.”
 

3-21-08--Kansas Grain Commodity Growers Elect Commissioners
TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Agriculture today announced the names of producers from the central third of the state who were elected to the state’s five grain commodity commissions – corn, grain sorghum, soybeans, sunflowers and wheat.

This was the third election cycle for districts four, five and six under the new law that privatized the commissions in July 2000. District Four commissioners represent north-central Kansas; District Five commissioners represent central Kansas, and District Six commissioners represent south-central Kanas.

Ballots were cast between January 15 and March 1 and were counted at the Kansas
Department of Agriculture on March 7. The newly elected commissioners will take office April 1 and will serve three-year terms.

Commissioners-Elect for the Kansas Corn Commission
District four – Mike Brzon, who grows corn, soybeans, sorghum and wheat in Republic County. He currently serves on the Kansas Corn Commission and is a director on the U.S. Grains Council and Farmway Cooperative Inc. Brzon also is active in water issues in the Republican River basin in Kansas and Nebraska.

District five – Terry Vinduska, who grows corn, grain sorghum, soybeans, wheat and alfalfa on a family farm in Marion County. He currently serves on the Kansas Corn Commission and is a member of the U.S. Grains Council, Kansas Farmers Union and Kansas Farm Bureau. Vinduska has a bachelor’s degree in agricultural technology from Kansas State University.

District six – Kent Moore, who grows corn, wheat and soybeans in Pratt County. He is a member of the Kansas Corn Growers Association and the Kansas Association of Wheat Growers, and he is on the board of directors for the Pratt County 4-H Foundation. Moore has a bachelor’s degree in agricultural economics from Kansas State University.

Commissioners-Elect for the Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission
District four – William Greving, who grows corn, sorghum, wheat and hay in Phillips County. He currently is secretary-treasurer of the Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission, serves on the board of the National Sorghum Producers and is a member of the Kansas Livestock Association, the Kansas Association of Wheat Growers and the Kansas Corn Growers Association. Greving has a bachelor’s degree in agriculture from Fort Hays State University.

District five – Clayton Short, who grows corn, sorghum, wheat and soybeans in Saline County. He currently serves on the Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission and is a member of the Kansas Grain Sorghum Association and Kansas Association of Wheat Growers. Short has a bachelors degree in agriculture from Kansas State University.

District six – Dennis Siefkes, who grows corn, grain sorghum, soybeans and wheat in Stafford County. He is a member of the Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association, the Stafford County Farm Bureau and the Great Bend Cooperative Association, and a past member of the Kansas Corn Commission. Siefkes has a bachelor’s degree in agriculture mechanization from Kansas State University.

Commissioners-Elect for the Kansas Soybean Commission
District four – Steve Clanton, who grows corn, grain sorghum, soybeans, sunflowers and wheat in Ottawa County. He currently serves on the Kansas Soybean Commission. He has been involved in many organizations, including the local extension and soil conservation board and the Kansas Soybean Association. He is a past president of the Kansas Association of Wheat Growers. Clanton has a bachelor’s degree in engineering from Kansas State University.

District five – Harold Kraus, who grows corn, grain sorghum, soybeans and wheat in Ellis County. He has served on the Kansas Soybean Commission since 1999, is a member of Kansas Farm Bureau and is a voting member of the National Biodiesel Board. Kraus has a bachelor’s degree in business from the University of Kansas.

District six – Jerry Wyse, who grows wheat, corn, grain sorghum and soybeans in Reno County. He currently serves on the Kansas Soybean Commission and is past president and CEO of Kauffman Seeds Inc. Wyse has an associate’s degree in liberal arts from Hesston College.

Commissioners-Elect for the Kansas Wheat Commission
District four – Steve Clanton, who also was elected to the Kansas Soybean Commission.
He grows corn, grain sorghum, soybeans, sunflowers and wheat in Ottawa County. He currently serves on the Kansas Soybean Commission. He has been involved in many organizations, including the local extension and soil conservation board and the Kansas Soybean Association. He is a past president of the Kansas Association of Wheat Growers. Clanton has a bachelor’s degree in engineering from Kansas State University.

District five – Dean Stoskopf, who grows wheat, grain sorghum and alfalfa, and has a cow-calf herd in Barton County. He currently is finishing his second term on the Kansas Wheat Commission, he is a past president of the Kansas Association of Wheat Growers and is a current member of Kansas Farm Bureau. Stoskopf has a degree in agriculture from Kansas State University.

Distinct six – Scott Van Allen, who grows sorghum and wheat in Sumner County. He is a past president and current member of the Sumner County Farm Bureau. Van Allen has also been on Kansas Farm Bureau’s wheat advisory board for the past two years. Van Allen is a graduate of Clearwater High School.

Commissioner-Elect for the Kansas Sunflower Commission
There were no candidates for commissioner in districts four, five and six. Commissioners will be appointed by the Kansas Sunflower Commission.

2009 Election Will Cover Western Third of State
Corn, grain sorghum, soybean, sunflower and wheat growers in the western third of the state can expect to receive information by mail this fall outlining the 2009 election procedure.

District one includes Cheyenne, Decatur, Graham, Norton, Rawlins Sheridan, Sherman and Thomas counties.

District two includes Gove, Greeley, Lane, Logan, Ness, Scott, Trego, Wallace and Wichita counties.

District three includes Clark, Finney, Ford, Grant, Gray, Hamilton, Haskell, Hodgeman, Kearny, Meade, Morton, Seward, Stanton and Stevens counties.

Grain growers who plan to campaign for a seat on one of the commissions must collect on an official petition form 20 signatures from eligible voters to be included on the 2009 ballot. Official petition forms will be available through the Kansas Department of Agriculture or one of the grain commodity commissions.

No more than five signatures from any one county will be used to qualify a candidate. Eligible voters are Kansas residents who will reach age 18 before the election and have been growing corn, grain sorghum, soybeans, sunflowers or wheat during the last three years. The filing deadline for candidates is November 30, 2008.

2-25-08--Lawrence Station Offers Four Ethanol Blends
A new biofuels station in Lawrence is the first to participate in the state’s ethanol blender pump pilot program by offering four blends of ethanol fuels. Motorists can purchase E10, E20, E30 and E85 fuel at the Zarco66 biofuels station at 9th & Iowa in Lawrence.

The station is the first of its kind in Kansas, selling only ethanol blended fuels as well as several biodiesel blends as well.

Kansas is one of a handful of states that allow ethanol to be blended at different levels with a blender pump. The pumps are labeled to make sure the buyer understands that ethanol blends above 10 percent ethanol are intended only for use in flexible fuel vehicles.

Interest in mid-range ethanol blends is increasing. Earlier this year, the American Coalition for Ethanol and the US Department of Energy released results of a study that showed mid-range ethanol blends, fuel mixtures with more ethanol than E10 but less than E85, can in some cases provide better fuel economy than regular unleaded gasoline, even in standard, non-flex-fuel vehicles.

Previous assumptions held that ethanol's lower energy content directly correlates with lower fuel economy for drivers. Those assumptions were found to be incorrect in the study. Instead, the new research strongly suggests that there is an "optimal blend level" of ethanol and gasoline - most likely E20 or E30 - at which flexible fuel vehicles will get better mileage than predicted based strictly on the fuel's per-gallon Btu content. The study, cosponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy and the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE), also found that mid-range ethanol blends reduce harmful tailpipe emissions.

In addition to the favorable fuel economy findings, the research provides strong evidence that standard, non-flex-fuel vehicles can operate on ethanol blends beyond 10 percent. Additional research is being done on the use of higher blends of ethanol in non-flexible fuel vehicles. New standards for ethanol use in non-flexible fuel vehicles have not been set, and motorists are reminded that ethanol blends above 10 percent are for flexible fuel vehicles which can operate on any combination of gas and ethanol up to 85 percent ethanol.

A May grand opening event is being planned for the Zarco66 biofuels station. Details on the grand opening event will be released when available.

For more information on Kansas corn, grain sorghum and ethanol, visit www.ksgrains.com.

1-4-08--Three New Plants Double Kansas Ethanol Production
Kansas ethanol production ended 2007 on a high note with the startup of the 110 million gallon Arkalon Energy ethanol plant near Liberal. The 55 million gallon Gateway Ethanol plant at Pratt and the 55 million gallon Bonanza Bioenergy plant in Garden City, both began production in the fall of 2007. The addition of these three plants more than doubled the ethanol production capacity for Kansas, according to the Kansas Corn Growers Association and Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association.

“We began 2007 eight plants producing 215 million gallons of fuel ethanol. Today, we have eleven plants producing 439 million gallons of ethanol, providing a market for 156 million bushels of corn and grain sorghum,” according to Jere White, KCGA and KGSPA executive director. “A third of that grain, about 52 million bushels, returns as distillers grains, a nutrient-dense livestock feed.”

Kansas corn and sorghum growers harvested over 730 million bushels of feedgrains in 2007. Combined, the crops saw a 49 percent increase in production over 2006.

“We had good growing conditions in most parts of the state in 2007, but you also have to recognize that we are seeing some of those increases because of advances in hybrids and improved farming practices,” White said.

While grain demand from the ethanol sector has increase, Kansas producers continue to be able to supply the livestock industry with the grain it needs. The U.S. is coming off a record year. 2007 corn production numbers show record production and a large carryout, or unused corn, set at 1.9 billion bushels. This is the third largest carryout in the past ten years.

“Our number 1 customer continues to be the livestock industry, and our growers are showing that we can supply grain to both the livestock and ethanol industries. In turn, the ethanol industry supplies high nutrient distillers grains to the livestock industry, offsetting at least a third of the grain that goes to ethanol production.”

Livestock also remains a priority for the Kansas Corn Commission, which administers the state’s half-cent per bushel corn checkoff, White said. More than half of the corn commission research funding is related to livestock.

While ethanol production is increasing in Kansas, so is the availability of ethanol blended fuels. E85, 85 percent ethanol fuel for flexible fuel vehicles is available at 28 stations across the state.

12-26-07--Array of ethanol blends possible under pilot project
TOPEKA -- Flexible fuel vehicle owners could get more choices at the pump under a pilot project launched by the Kansas Department of Agriculture.

“Fueling stations currently sell gasoline blended with either 10 percent or 85 percent ethanol,” said Kansas Secretary of Agriculture Adrian Polansky. “This pilot project will allow them to install pumps that dispense ethanol fuel blends not currently offered, like 20 or 30 percent ethanol, to allow consumers to decide for themselves which blend is best for them based on price and performance.”

All vehicles on the road today can use gasoline blended with 10 percent ethanol, or E10. Flexible fuel vehicles, however, can use higher blends with up to 85 percent ethanol. The blender pumps authorized under the pilot project will allow flexible fuel vehicle owners to purchase such blends as E20, E30, E50 or E85.

“The U.S. Department of Transportation is now testing how regular fuel vehicles perform on higher ethanol blends. Initial research shows that E15 and E20 blends deliver the same environmental benefits without any adverse effect on vehicle engines,” Polansky said. “It’s very possible the Department of Transportation may one day endorse using these higher ethanol blends in non-flexible fuel vehicles.”

In the meantime, to ensure unwitting consumers don’t accidentally pump a higher ethanol blend into their vehicle than it can manage, the pumps will feature a bright orange label with the message “For use in flexible fuel vehicles only.”

The Kansas Department of Agriculture’s weights and measures program regulates gas pumps for accuracy and verifies the fuel’s characteristics, including octane rating and whether the fuel contains impurities. Program staff will ensure that equipment used to dispense the ethanol blended fuel is suitable and properly installed, and that fuel quantity and quality standards are met.

12-20-07--Energy Bill Ensures Strong Biofuels Future for Kansas
Kansas corn and grain sorghum growers cheered the signing of H.R. 6, the energy bill this week. The bill includes a 36 billion gallon Renewable Fuels Standard by 2022. 15 billion gallons of that RFS will be grain based ethanol, creating a strong foundation for ethanol production in Kansas. The remainder of the RFS will be met by other biofuels including cellulosic ethanol.

The Kansas Corn Growers Association (KCGA) and Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association (KGSPA) both supported passage of the bill. The Kansas ethanol industry currently provides a market for 117 million bushels of corn and grain sorghum. The state’s corn and sorghum growers produced 710 million bushels of grain this year.

“If you want to see the opportunity for cellulosic ethanol to move forward, you need to maintain a strong grain-based ethanol industry,” according to Jere White, executive director of KCGA and KGSPA. “When the president signed this bill into law, it provided needed stability for the future of ethanol and other biofuels.”

The Energy Bill had strong bipartisan support in both the House and the Senate. Senators Pat Roberts and Sam Brownback both voted in favor of the Energy Bill. On the house side three of our four representatives voted for the Energy Bill. Representatives Jerry Moran, Dennis Moore and Todd Tiahrt all supported the bill. Second District Representative Nancy Boyda voted against the Energy Bill.

“Kansans are fortunate to have a senators and representatives who understand the importance of renewable fuels to the economy of our state,” White said. “The ten ethanol plants in Kansas are having a dramatic impact on rural development in Kansas. This industry is bringing jobs and economic activity to communities across the state and has created a strong and stable market for our grains. At the same time, these plants are producing a clean, renewable refined fuel that adds to our fuel supply and stabilizes prices we pay at the pump.”

The bill also includes provisions that will advance E85, 85 percent ethanol fuel, including a provision that prohibits franchise agreements from restricting the sale of renewable fuels.

Kansas currently has 10 plants in operation that produce 329 million gallons of ethanol, creating a market for about 117 million bushels of corn and grain sorghum. Ethanol blended fuels are available across the state of Kansas as E10 for use in all gasoline powered vehicles; and 28 stations now offer E85 fuel for flexible fuel vehicles. For more information on ethanol and locations of E85 fueling sites, visit www.ksgrains.com.

12-9-07--E85 Fuel Now Available at 28 Kansas Stations
Not too long ago, drivers of flexible fuel vehicles were lucky to find a handful of Kansas fuel stations that carried E85, 85 percent ethanol fuel. Today, motorists can find E85 in 28 stations across Kansas, with more on the way.

The newest stations are located in Arkansas City, Burlington, Oakley, Parsons, Thayer and Topeka.

“Our association staff drives flexible fuel vehicles. Thanks to the increase in the number of E85 stations, we can now drive on E85 fuel no matter where we go in Kansas,” according to Sue Schulte, communications director for the Kansas Corn Growers Association and Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association.

While E85 fuel has many benefits, most drivers notice the price first.

“There are so many reasons to use E85 fuel. It is domestically produced ethanol, made from corn and grain sorghum. It burns cleaner and is better for the environment. But it is the price that is attracting the most attention right now. At 40 to 60 cents below regular unleaded, E85 fuel is a great deal,” Schulte said.

While there is a drop fuel economy for E85 fuel because ethanol contains a lower energy content, KCGA and KGSPA staff have not found the dramatic decreases in fuel economy that is reported by some sources.

“We’ve been using E85 in flexible fuel vehicles for year, and while we see about a small loss in fuel economy, the price of the fuel will normally more than make up for that difference,” Schulte said. “If you live near an E85 station, it will be worth your time to check your owners manual to see if you have a flexible fuel vehicle.”

E85 is 85 percent ethanol fuel that can be used in flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs) that operate on any combination of gasoline and ethanol up to 85 percent ethanol. There are over 6 million FFVs on the road today.

For a complete list of E85 stations in Kansas, visit the Kansas Ethanol website at www.ksgrains.com.

11-9-07--November Crop Estimate Shows 45% Increase for Kansas Feed Grains
45 percent. That’s the increase in Kansas Corn production over last year’s crop, according to Kansas Agricultural Statistics monthly crop production estimates. Ag Statistics boosted the 2007 Kansas corn crop estimate to 500.4 million bushels, 45 percent over last year’s harvest of 345 million bushels. The estimate is 7 million bushels over last month’s estimate thanks to an increase in expected yield to 139 bushels per acre.
 
45 percent is also the increase for Kansas grain sorghum this year. Ag statistics increased its estimate by 4 million bushels over last month’s guess. The November estimate is at 210.6 million bushels which is 45 percent more than last year’s harvest of 145 million bushels. The November yield estimate is 81 bushels per acre, compared to 58 bushels per acre in 2006. The yield estimate is also 3 bushels per acre higher than the October estimate.
 
Combined feed grain production for Kansas now stands at 711 million bushels of corn and sorghum, compared to a combined 2006 feed grain harvest of 490 million bushels.

8-27-07--Kansas Corn and Sorghum Growers Applaud Announcement of Abengoa’s Conventional and Cellulosic Ethanol Plant Project
A new ethanol plant project that would make both grain based ethanol and cellulosic ethanol will be good for Kansas and its agriculture industry, according to corn and sorghum growers. Abengoa Bioenergy announced on Aug. 23 that it would build a hybrid ethanol project that would feature an 85 million gallon grain-based ethanol plant and a 30 million gallon cellulosic ethanol plant. Abengoa officials pointed to the unique synergy between the two ethanol processes. Leaders of the Kansas Corn Growers Association and Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association agree.

“Conventional ethanol has created a good market for my grain sorghum. The cellulosic ethanol would be made from the crop residue, like sorghum and corn stalks, and that can create an additional revenue stream for growers,” KGSPA President Greg Shelor of Minneola said.

Cellulosic ethanol can also be made from grasses, forage sorghums and other cellulosic materials.

“There is a lot of interest in some of the forage sorghum varieties that would produce a very large amount of material for cellulosic production,” he said. “Obviously sorghum producers are following that closely.”

Abengoa officials have said they would place a strong emphasis making sure the right amount of crop residue remains in the fields because it is in their best interest for growers to continue to use the best agronomic and conservation practices.

The Abengoa said the Hugoton plant will be the first cellulosic ethanol plant in the U.S. . The development of the cellulosic ethanol industry will help America meet its goals for producing domestic renewable energy, according to KCGA President Bob Timmons, Fredonia.

“It’s exciting to see companies beginning to move forward in developing cellulosic ethanol plants,” Timmons said. “Our country is setting some aggressive goals for renewable fuels, and cellulosic ethanol will play a big role in meeting those goals.”

Timmons said corn growers see cellulosic ethanol as a new opportunity for those involved in agriculture.

“Some people automatically assume that as a corn grower, I would not be interested in cellulosic ethanol production,” Timmons said. “Whether you’re selling your grain, your stover or both to an ethanol plant, that is a benefit to you as a farmer. Cellulosic ethanol won’t replace conventional ethanol, it will complement it.”

Kansas now has 9 ethanol plants that use 96 million bushels of corn and sorghum to produce over 270 million gallons of ethanol per year. Those ethanol plants are operating in Garden City (2 plants), Russell, Phillipsburg, Campus, Garnett, Colwich, Atchison and Leoti. Plants in Pratt, Hayne near Liberal, Lyons, Scandia and Goodland are under construction. Other plants are in various stages of planning. Visit www.ksgrains.com for more information on Kansas ethanol, KCGA and KGSPA.
 

7-17-07--Kansas City Ethanol Promotion Is a Hit

The Kansas Corn Commission teamed up with the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council to sponsor a grand opening event at the state’s newest E85 station on July 14. The On the Go station at the junction of I-435 and Woodend Road sold E85 fuel for $1.85 during the promotion. On display was EPIC’s Indy race car and mobile education unit as well as the Kansas Corn Commission’s new flexible fuel Chevrolet Impala. The KCC’s Impala sports a corn wrap to promote ethanol.

On hand to pump E85 fuel were former Detroit Tigers pitcher John Warden and former Cincinnati Reds pitcher Ron Robinson. The baseball greats were in Kansas City to play in the Willie Wilson’s Legends baseball game at the Community America Park, home of the Kansas City T-Bones baseball team.

EPIC, along with the Kansas Corn Commission, Kansas Association of Ethanol Processors and Kennedy and Coe, sponsored Team Ethanol at the Legends baseball game, a fundraiser for the Children’s Miracle Network.

Former Dodger star Tommy Davis managed the Ethanol team which featured Joe Carter, Ozzie Smith, Bob Dernier, Jay Johnston and former Houston pitcher J.R. Richard.

Before the third inning, the Kansas Corn Commission’s newly wrapped “corn car” rounded the field as EPIC ethanol t-shirts were tossed to fans in the stands. The new corn car is a Chevrolet Impala with a bright corn wrap promoting corn and ethanol. Photos from the event can be seen on the commission’s web site at www.ksgrains.com.

6-20-07--21 Kansas Stations Now Offer 85% Ethanol Fuel

Motorists who drive flexible fuel vehicles now have more opportunities to fill up with E85, 85 percent ethanol fuel. E85 can be purchased at 21 locations throughout the state. E85 is for use in flexible fuel vehicles that can operate on any of combination of gas and ethanol up to 85 percent ethanol.

The most recent stations to add E85 fuel are located in Edwardsville, Overbrook, Parsons, Garnett and Topeka.

E85 can be found at the “On the Go” Shell station at the interchange of I-435 and Woodend Road in Edwardsville, just a few miles south of Kansas City’s Kansas Speedway and Legends Mall.

In Topeka, E85 is offered at the CSC #48 Conoco station located at 1531 Wanamaker Road in Topeka is just off I-470 at the Wanamaker Road exit. The station is located next to the WalMart Supercenter.

A second E85 station has opened in Garnett. Bill’s Quick Stop (Conoco) is located at the junction of Highway 169 and Highway 59 on the south side of Garnett.

On Highway 56 in Overbrook, drivers can find E85 Fuel at Overbrook Gas and Convenience (BP), 403 E. 8th, on the east side of town.

In Parsons, drivers can find E85 at the Stockyard Travel Plaza, 2431 N 16th St.. This station is located near the junction of Highway 59 and Highway 400 in Parsons.

“We’ve increased the number of E85 stations in Kansas from 4 to 21 in less than two years,” according to Kansas Corn Commission Executive Director Jere White. “Motorists with flexible fuel vehicles can travel around the state and in most cases be able to operate on E85 fuel if they wish.”

Drivers with flexible fuel vehicles are seeking out E85 stations to take advantage of this fuel that is high octane, high performance, and domestically produced. In addition to being a higher performance fuel, E85 is also selling at a significant discount to regular unleaded at the pump.

“We have seen E85 prices from 20 cents to 60 cents below regular unleaded in the past few months,” White said.

E85 is a domestically-produced alternative transportation fuel for use in flexible fuel vehicles that can operate on any combination of gasoline and ethanol up to 85 percent ethanol. In addition to superior performance characteristics (over 100 octane), ethanol burns cleaner than gasoline and is a completely renewable, domestic fuel, made primarily from corn and grain sorghum. Ford Motor Company, General Motors Corporation, Daimler Chrysler, Dodge, Nissan and Mercedes all produce flexible fuel vehicles, and auto manufacturers are now ramping up production of these vehicles. About 6 million flexible fuel vehicles are on the road today.

Increasing the availability and use of ethanol fuel in Kansas is a goal of the Kansas Corn Commission. Several more E85 stations are set to come on-line in Kansas in the next 6 months. For up-to-date information on E85 and stations that carry it visit the Kansas Ethanol Information website at www.ksgrains.com.

5-14-07--Corn and Sorghum Growers Applaud New Kansas Renewable Fuels Standard

Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius has signed legislation that will give a 6.5 cents per gallon tax credit to fuel retailers who meet a Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) beginning in 2009. The legislation will play a major role in increasing the use of ethanol-blended fuels and biodiesel in Kansas. The Kansas Corn Growers Association and Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association supported the creation of an RFS.

“While Kansas is becoming an increasingly influential player in the biofuels industry, the use of biofuels in our state lags behind. It makes sense that our state would encourage the use of these homegrown fuels,” KCGA and KGSPA stated in joint testimony in support of the RFS.

The ethanol RFS will begin in 2009 at 10 percent and would increase annually. A dealer reaching the target would receive a 6.5 cents per gallon tax credit. A retailer coming within two percent of the target would receive a 4.5 cents per gallon tax credit. Retailers that do not meet the RFS will not be penalized, but will not receive the tax credit. The target will increase by one percent every year until 2024 when the RFS target would reach 25 percent ethanol.

“Our associations have endorsed the 25 x 25 initiative that calls our nation to get 25 percent of its energy from renewable resources by the year 2025. By passing this legislation, Kansas will be moving assertively toward that goal.,” KCGA Executive Director Jere White said.

Biodiesel is also a part of the Kansas RFS. The bill gives a tax credit of three cents per gallon of biodiesel if the retailer meets the standard. The biodiesel standard begins at 2 percent in 2009 increasing two percent annually until 2017. Then, the standard would increase one percent annually until 2025, when it would reach 25 percent.

Kansas currently has eight ethanol plants producing 215.5 million gallons of ethanol fuel annually. This summer two more plants, Pratt and Garden City, are expected to begin production adding an additional 105 million gallons per year, bringing the Kansas production total to 320.5 million gallons per year. Plants in Hayne near Liberal, Lyons, Goodland and Scandia are currently under construction and will add another 195 million gallons per year of production.

April 5, 2007--E85 Grand Opening Celebrates First Johnson County E85 Station
Congressman Dennis Moore and Kansas Lieutenant Governor Mark Parkinson touted the benefits of ethanol fuels at a grand opening for Johnson County’s first E85 (85 percent ethanol) fueling station. The Everyday Store, 800 N. Ridgeview Road in Olathe, recently added E85 fuel for use in flexible fuel vehicles.

The Kansas Corn Commission and National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition (NEVC) sponsored the E85 grand opening event. The two groups work together to provide incentives to stations that add E85 fuel. E85 fuel contains 85 percent ethanol and can be used in flexible fuel vehicles that are designed to operate on any combination of gas and ethanol up to 85 percent ethanol.

Congressman Moore said investment in domestically produced ethanol is important to the United States.

“It's time that we begin investing in the Midwest instead of the Middle East,” he said. “
Through investing in alternative energy sources and energy efficiency, our country can move towards more environmentally-friendly fuel sources and we can create new economic opportunity, prosperity, and security.”

Store owner Vikram Gambhir said he believes using domestically produced ethanol is important to the nation’s energy security. The fuel’s competitive price and high quality are bringing drivers of flexible fuel vehicles to the store. During the day’s events, the store sold E85 fuel for $1.85 per gallon.

Congressman Moore applauded the increase in E85 stations, and said more are needed.

“There are approximately 15,000 E85 vehicles in Johnson County, plus another 125 county-owned E85 vehicles. With the growing consumer interest in alternative energies, this number will continue to increase,” he said.

Several flexible fuel vehicles were on display at the event. The Kansas Corn Commission, GM, the Kansas Department of Agriculture, Olathe Ford and the NEVC all had flexible fuel vehicles at the grand opening.

E85 is a domestically-produced alternative transportation fuel for use in flexible fuel vehicles that can operate on any combination of gasoline and ethanol up to 85 percent ethanol. In addition to superior performance characteristics (over 100 octane), ethanol burns cleaner than gasoline and is a completely renewable, domestic fuel, made primarily from corn and grain sorghum. Drivers with flexible fuel vehicles are seeking out E85 stations to take advantage of this fuel that is high octane, high performance, and domestically produced.

E85 is used in flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs) that are designed to operate on the clean burning, renewable fuel. Millions of flexible fuel vehicles are on the road today. FFVs can operate on any combination of gasoline and ethanol up to 85 percent ethanol. E10 Unleaded is approved for use in all vehicles. Ford Motor Company, General Motors Corporation, Daimler Chrysler, Dodge, Nissan and Mercedes all produce flexible fuel vehicles, and auto manufacturers are now ramping up production of these vehicles.

3-28-07--Kansas Corn Commission Elections Are Finalized
The Kansas Department of Agriculture named the commissioners-elect for the three eastern commodity commission districts this week. Commissioners Ken McCauley and Bob Timmons were reelected. We welcome new commissioner Pat Ross, will join the board filling the position vacated by Dan Guetterman. Dan was a very active member of the Kansas Corn Commission and we hope he remains active as a corn leader.

District seven – Ken McCauley, who grows corn and soybeans in Doniphan County. He currently serves on the Kansas Corn Commission, is a member of Kansas Corn Growers Association and is the current president of the National Corn Growers Association. McCauley has an associate’s degree from Highland Community College. He also attended Kansas State University.

District eight – Pat Ross, who grows corn, soybeans and wheat in Douglas County. He is active in his community church and has served nine years on his local co-op board. He is a past director of his local
4-H foundation and chamber of commerce, and he currently serves as the director of the Farmers Coop in Ottawa. Ross is a member of several agriculture associations, including the Kansas Soybean Association, the Kansas Corn Growers Association and the Kansas Livestock Association.

District nine – Bob Timmons, who grows corn, soybeans and wheat in Wilson County. He has served two terms on the Kansas Corn Commission, is on the board of the Kansas Corn Growers Association and is active in the National Corn Growers Association. Timmons graduated from Baker University with a degree in business administration.

2-19-07--Kansas Corn Commissioners See Potential for DDGS Sales in Mexico
Distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS), not white corn, was the major topic of discussion during a recent trip to Mexico by members of the Kansas Corn Commission (KCC).

The group met with local poultry and swine association representatives in Guadalajara and Aguascalientes to discuss how their participation in Council initiatives have benefited those organizations.

“The commission members saw the impact the Council has had on grain demand in Mexico,” said Chris Corry, USGC senior director of international operations, who accompanied the group. “The Council is well-leveraged with key industries in the region, recognized as a credible, reliable resource.”

Mexico imported 6 million (236 million bushels) metric tons of U.S. yellow corn in the 2005/06 marketing year, a 179 percent increase compared to 2.1 million tons (82.7 million bushels) in 1997. In addition, the country nearly tripled its imports of U.S. DDGS from 128,271 tons in 2005 to 367,386 tons in 2006. Corry noted the group saw the increasing opportunities for sales of U.S. DDGS as Mexico appears poised for significant growth in the production of meat, milk and eggs. Consumption of these products is expected to grow 2-3 percent annually. Although some importers and end users were concerned with future availability of U.S. yellow corn, worries about white corn were regarded as a Mexican issue.

“Tight white corn supplies are the driving force in Mexico’s tortilla shortage,” noted Corry. “No one in Mexico is pointing fingers at the United States on this issue. Drought lowered Mexico’s domestic white corn production in 2006. The situation then was exacerbated by delays in issuing import licenses.”

Kansas Corn Commissioners Carolyn Dunn of St. John, Mike Brzon of Courtland, Terry Vinduska of Marion and Brian Baalman of Menlo were on the trip. Also on the trip were KCC Programs Manager Sue Hardman, Bill Spiegel, editor of Kansas Farmer Magazine, and Dr. Ricardo Celma, USGC director in Mexico.

1-3-07--Three More Kansas Stations Offer E85, 85 Percent Ethanol Fuel
Kansas now boasts 15 stations that sell E85, 85 percent ethanol fuel for flexible fuel vehicles, according to the Kansas Corn Commission (KCC). Stations have opened at Olathe, Wichita and Offerle. The KCC, along with United Bio Energy and the National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition have cooperated in an effort to add several new E85 stations in Kansas. The timing could not be better because seven cents per gallon tax cut for E85 fuel that took effect in Kansas on January 1.

New Kansas E85 Locations:
Olathe: Everyday Store, 800 North Ridgeview Road (Johnson County)
Wichita: CSC #42, 3810 North Woodlawn (Sedgwick County)
Offerle: Offerle Country Store, US Highway 50 & Elm (Edwards County)

“In 18 months, we have gone from having four E85 stations to having 16 in the state of Kansas,” according to Kansas Corn Commission Executive Director Jere White. “This shows there is strong interest in ethanol in our state, not only from consumers, but also from fuel retailers. It is now possible to drive a flexible fuel vehicle the full length of the state using only E85 fuel.”

E85 should also see lower prices at the pump since January 1 marked the enactment of a tax cut for E85 fuel that should be passed along to consumers.

“The Kansas corn and grain sorghum associations worked last year to pass a state law that lowers the road tax on E85 fuel by seven cents per gallon,” White said. “The legislature saw this as an opportunity address inequities in the taxation of E85 fuel, and also to boost sales of ethanol in Kansas. Now drivers who use E85 fuel should see that tax savings passed on at the pump.”

E85 is a domestically-produced alternative transportation fuel for use in flexible fuel vehicles that can operate on any combination of gasoline and ethanol up to 85 percent ethanol. In addition to superior performance characteristics (over 100 octane), ethanol burns cleaner than gasoline and is a completely renewable, domestic fuel, made primarily from corn and grain sorghum.

Drivers with flexible fuel vehicles are seeking out E85 stations to take advantage of this fuel that is high octane, high performance, and domestically produced.

“We salute the retailers who have had the foresight to offer E85 fuel to their customers,” White said. “Increasing the availability and use of ethanol fuel in Kansas is a top goal of the Kansas Corn Commission, and these retailers are playing a big part in making that happen.

E85 is used in flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs) that are designed to operate on the clean burning, renewable fuel. Millions of flexible fuel vehicles are on the road today. FFVs can operate on any combination of gasoline and ethanol up to 85 percent ethanol. E10 Unleaded is approved for use in all vehicles. Ford Motor Company, General Motors Corporation, Daimler Chrysler, Dodge, Nissan and Mercedes all produce flexible fuel vehicles, and auto manufacturers are now ramping up production of these vehicles.

11-2-06--Kansas Commodity Classic to Feature National Leaders, Farm Bill Discussions
Corn, wheat, grain sorghum and cotton producers will gather in Salina on Tuesday, Nov. 14 to discuss a variety of issues including farm policy, marketing, ethanol and legislative issues at the Kansas Commodity Classic. The Classic will begin at 9 a.m. on November 14 at the Salina Holiday Inn.

Kansas Secretary of Agriculture Adrian Polansky will start off the event, followed by a market briefing by ProExporter’s Bill Holbrook, and a farm bill panel of Kansas growers who are in national leadership positions with the National Sorghum Producers (NSP), National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) and National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG).

“We have a unique situation this year. Kansas growers are in leadership positions for the NCGA, NSP and NAWG. These growers are on the forefront of national discussions of many issues, including the upcoming farm bill discussions,” according to Jere White, executive director of the Kansas Corn Growers Association and Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association.

NSP President Greg Shelor of Minneola, NCGA President Ken McCauley of White Cloud, and NAWG President-Elect John Thaemert of Sylvan Grove, will be featured on a panel discussion of the national associations’ plans for the upcoming farm bill discussions.

Following a luncheon, participants can participate in two of six breakout sessions.
The first session will feature, Market Outlook for Kansas Commodities with Dr. Mike Woolverton, KSU; Biofuels & Other Value-Added Investment Opportunities for Kansas Farmers with Jesse McCurry, Kennedy and Coe, and Kansas Water Update with Tracy Streeter, Kansas Water Office. The second session will feature Transportation Outlook for Kansas Commodities with Dr. Michael Babcock, KSU; Kansas Legislative Outlook with Jere White, KCGA & KGSPA; Dana Peterson, KAWG; Brad Harrelson, Kansas Farm Bureau, and Carbon Sequestration Credits, A New Opportunity
for Kansas Farmers with Chad Martin, Iowa Farm Bureau.

“Every year, we work to put together a program that will benefit our growers in many ways,” White said. “You won’t find a program that offers more in one day than the Kansas Commodity Classic.”

This program is offered free to growers, and membership in an association is not required. Participants will be treated to a buffet lunch and an ice cream break sponsored by the Kansas Dairy Association and Commission. 2006 Kansas Commodity Classic sponsors are: Syngenta Crop Protection, Monsanto, ICM, Inc., CoBank and the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council (EPIC).

10-02-06--Kansas Grower Begins Term as President of National Corn Growers
Ken McCauley of White Cloud assumed the presidency of the National Corn Growers Association on October 1. McCauley entered the officer rotation last year serving as first vice president of the association. The White Cloud grower serves on the Kansas Corn Commission. McCauley is the second NCGA president to hail from Kansas. Lawrence producer Roger Pine was the 1998-99 NCGA president.

“This shows the strong leadership we have in Kansas agriculture,” Kansas Corn Growers Association Executive Director Jere White said. “With the farm bill discussions and many other issues and opportunities facing corn growers, Ken will have a full plate during his term.”

McCauley, along with his wife Mary and son Brad operate a corn and soybean farm near the northeast Kansas community of White Cloud.
“I am honored to serve NCGA’s members, especially during the association’s golden anniversary,” said McCauley. “For 50 years, NCGA has been the leading agricultural association, and I look forward to leading our members and continuing NCGA’s tradition.”
McCauley began his first term on the Kansas Corn Commission in 1995. He is a past-chairman of the commission and continues to serve on the commission today. His involvement in the corn industry increased as he was appointed to several committees with the National Corn Growers Association. In 2002, Ken was elected to serve on the board of directors of the NCGA, and was then assigned as liaison to the Biotechnology Working Group and also the Finance Committee of the organization. He was elected to the officer team of NCGA in 2004.

McCauley will serve as NCGA President through September of 2007 and then will begin a one-year term as NCGA chairman.

10-2-06--Kansas Corn Growers Selected to National Leader Teams
NCGA President Ken McCauley recently selected grower leaders for NCGA’s action teams and committees. McCauley, who also serves on the Kansas Corn Commission, farms near White Cloud. He said NCGA’s producers have plenty on the table to accomplish this year.

Three Kansas growers were selected to serve on NCGA action teams and committees. Bob Timmons of Fredonia will serve on the Public Policy Action Team. Timmons is on the KCGA board and is Kansas Corn Commission Chairman. KCGA President Brian Baalman of Menlo will serve on the Ethanol Committee, and KCGA board member John Tibbits of Minneapolis will serve on the Nominating Committee. Tibbits and Timmons were reappointed to their positions. Baalman is new to the Ethanol Committee.

“We’ve got an excellent lineup of teams and committee members to address all the things happening at NCGA,” said McCauley. “The farm bill is the number one item on our agenda, but we also have to continue to promote ethanol and value-added opportunities and push for WRDA passage. The ‘action’ in ‘action team’ has more meaning that ever before.”

9-22-06--White Observes Grains Council Programs in Russia, Egypt

Jere White, executive director of the Kansas Corn Commission, visited Russia and Egypt to get a personal look at U.S Grains Council programs in those markets.

“The best part for me was to see the Council’s projects on the ground and how they are matching up with the potential to move product where we haven’t sold grains before,” said White, who is also a member of the Council’s Rest of the World (ROW) Advisory Team (A-Team).

His trip began in Moscow, where White attended the Russian Grain Union Conference with Alexander Kholopov, USGC director in Russia, on Sept. 12. The meeting included analysis of the short and long term trends in the grain and oilseed markets, as well as preliminary estimates of effect of the Russian National Livestock Development Project on feed grain demand. Following the conference, White and Kholopov visited the Gatchina Feedmill and Russko Visotkaya broiler farm near St. Petersburg.

This trip will not be the last White will see of the grain buyers he met in Russia – some are participating in a Council-sponsored trip to the United States later this month.

“After seeing their operations in Russia, I will host some of these same people in Kansas,” he said.

On Saturday, White left to explore a very different market in Egypt. Accompanied by Dr. Hussein Soliman, USGC director in Egypt, and USGC consultant Dr. Wendy Scott, White met with representatives of the Buffalo Producers Association (BPA).

“We rolled up our sleeves and worked with the buffalo producers as they planned their strategy to develop the buffalo red meat sector in Egypt,” he reported. “This trip has been a great opportunity to see Council programs in action. I am looking forward to bringing my observations back to share with the rest of the ROW A-Team at the International Marketing Conference in December.”

Russia imported approximately 13,187 metric tons (519,145 bushels) of U.S. corn from September 2005 to July 2006; Egypt imported 2.8 million tons (112.8 million bushels) of U.S. corn during the same period.

 

8-28-06--Kansas Corn and Grain Sorghum Associations Support EPA’s Favorable Atrazine, Triazine Findings

The Kansas Corn Growers Association (KCGA) and Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association (KGSPA) submitted comments in support of EPA’s favorable Cumulative Risk Assessments for the triazine herbicides. The comment period ended August 21.

In its assessment released in June, EPA concluded, "..the Agency has found that there is a reasonable certainty that no harm will result to the general U.S. population, infants, children, or other major identifiable subgroups of consumers from aggregate exposure…to cumulative residues of atrazine and the other chlorinated triazine pesticides."

EPA also released a Reregistration Eligibility Decision for simazine and a tolerance assessment for propazine that could lead to EPA issuing a label allowing the use of propazine on grain sorghum. These actions bring the special review of the Triazine near an end.

“We weren’t asking for much, just that EPA used good science to make a decision on the Triazine herbicides,” White said. “If sound scientific research proved that the Triazines posed a danger, we were ready to accept that. However, the research proved what we believed all along—the triazines are safe.”

KCGA and KGSPA were founding members the Triazine Network, a nationwide coalition of state and national commodity and farm organizations, as well as hundreds of individual farmers. The Triazine Network was formed in 1995 after the EPA announced the special review of the Triazine herbicides atrazine, simazine and cyanazine. Cyanazine was later removed after the registrant voluntarily offered to phase out its use. Propazine was added based on the intent of a registrant to expand the existing greenhouse label to include grain sorghum. The Network made the unprecedented move of bringing growers of more than 30 commodities to the table for the special review.

Jere White, Executive Director of KCGA and KGSPA has been chairman of the Network since its inception and on many occasions participated in meetings, hearings and technical briefings giving the growers’ perspective, including the importance and usage, to EPA officials.

“EPA told us they had never had grower involvement like this,” White said. “The special review process is open to stakeholders and I can’t think of anyone who had a bigger stake in this process than growers. Our network included some of the top names in agriculture across the board. Without the expertise and commitment of our members, we would not have succeeded.” “We’ve had a lot of things thrown at us since 1994 from fear mongering to frogs,” White said. “But it all comes down to using good scientific studies to reach the decision. We applaud EPA for sticking to the science.”

In their comments, the associations supported EPA’s positive risk assessment of the triazines. In addition, KGSPA also supported the registration of propazine for use on grain sorghum.

The comments submitted to the EPA docket stated: “The Triazine herbicides are a vitally important tool for our growers here in Kansas, especially the herbicide atrazine. We would like to applaud the EPA’s careful and science-based review of the triazines. We were pleased to see EPA’s favorable Triazine Cumulative Risk Assessment comments that show that EPA finds no measurable risk from exposure to Triazine herbicides. This determination was based on sound science.”

The associations applauded EPA for the openness of the process and for its willingness to use sound scientific research: “. . .the positive outcome in this process has bolstered growers’ confidence in EPA and has created an improved feeling of trust as our growers now are assured that EPA is using a thoughtful and science-based process to arrive at decisions that affect their farming operations.”

8-4-06--Kansas Corn, Sorghum Groups Applaud Liberal Ethanol Groundbreaking
Two Conestoga Plants Will Add 165 Million Gallons of Production 
Over 100 people gathered Thursday to witness the groundbreaking ceremony of Conestoga Energy Partners LLC second ethanol plant project near Liberal. The plant, named Arkalon Energy, will produce 110 million gallons of ethanol per year. Its sister plant at Garden City, which broke ground in May, will produce 55 million gallons per year. These two plants will produce 165 million gallons of ethanol, which would nearly double the state’s current production of 170 million gallons of the renewable fuel.

The Kansas Corn Growers Association and Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association support the increase in use and production of ethanol in Kansas to build markets for corn and grain sorghum. A bushel of corn or sorghum will produce between 2.7 and 2.8 gallons of ethanol, a clean burning, renewable, domestically produced fuel.

Governor Kathleen Sebelius, who chairs the Governors’ Ethanol Coalition, spoke at the event and commended the group for its accomplishment.

"If biofuels are in the future for the United States, and I think they are, then Kansas is at the forefront of that future,” she said.

The plant will be located about 7 miles east of Liberal on Highway 54. The $170 million project will produce 110 million gallons of fuel grade ethanol per year, and 840,000 tons wet distillers grains that will be marketed to livestock producers. Once in operation, the plant will hire 50-55 employees with total annual salaries of over $2 million. Colwich-based ICM, Inc. will supply the plant technology, engineering and construction services. Rail service will be provided by Union Pacific Railroad. The plant is expected to begin producing ethanol in early 2008. 

Mike Bryan of BBI International, the company that facilitated the group’s efforts on both plant projects, said the plant would bring positive economic growth to Liberal and the surrounding area. In addition to the jobs and increased markets for grains, Bryan said the community would see other tangible results that as a result of the ethanol plant. “You will see new businesses in your community,” he said. “Businesses like a new restaurant, a new electronic shop, or maybe a new hotel.”

 ICM is completing construction on the Prairie Horizons Agri Energy’s 40 million gallon plant in Phillipsburg. That plant, which was also developed with the assistance of BBI International, is expected to begin producing ethanol this month.

7-27-06--Kansas Corn Commissioner Reelected to Grains Council Board
Kansas Corn Commissioner Terry Vinduska was reelected to the US Grain Council Board of Directors at the council’s meeting on Tuesday. Vinduska is a corn producer from Marion and represents the District 5, the central Kansas district on the corn commission.

The U.S. Grains Council Board of Delegates elected new officers and directors at its annual meeting to continue its mission of building international markets for U.S. barley, corn and sorghum and their products.

The Kansas Corn Commission is an active member of the US Grains Council and supports its efforts to build foreign markets for corn and corn products like DDGS, a high nutrient livestock feed that is a coproduct of the ethanol-making process. The Kansas Corn Commission recently hosted a USGC trade team from Morocco that was interested in purchasing U.S. corn and DDGS.

Vic Miller of the Iowa Corn Promotion Board was elected chairman and will provide leadership as well as speak and travel on behalf of the Council and in support of its efforts. Also elected were Dale Artho of the Texas Grain Sorghum Producers Board as vice chairman; Jim Broten of the North Dakota Barley Council as treasurer; Rick Fruth of the Ohio Corn Marketing Board as secretary; and Kenneth Hobbie of the U.S. Grains Council as the president and CEO. Davis Anderson of GROWMARK, Inc. will serve as past chairman.

In addition, six directors were elected to serve two-year terms on the USGC Board of Directors. Jay Zimmerman of Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission was elected as the sorghum sector director; Gary Marshall of Missouri Corn Merchandising Council as state checkoff sector director; and Don Fast of the Montana Wheat & Barley Committee as the barley sector director. Elected as at-large directors were Alan Tiemann of the Nebraska Corn Board and Terry Vinduska of the Kansas Corn Commission.

Current directors Kenneth Greene, Illinois Corn Marketing Board (at-large director), Gerry Salzman, Case IH and New Holland (at-large director), David Lyons, Louis Dreyfus Corporation (agribusiness sector director) and Tim Burrack, Iowa Corn Promotion Board (corn sector director), will complete their terms in July 2007.

The U.S. Grains Council is a private, non-profit partnership of farmers and agribusinesses committed to building and expanding international markets for U.S. barley, corn, grain sorghum and their products. The Council is headquartered in Washington, D.C. and has 10 international offices that oversee programs in more than 80 countries. Support for the Council comes from its members and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

7-14-06--Corn Leaders Return from Corn Congress
Several Kansas corn leaders were in Washington DC this week for National Corn Growers Association’s Corn Congress. In addition to participating in Corn Congress the group also made visits to the offices of our Congressmen and Senators. Several hot topics were on the agenda including the Water Resources Development Act, energy issues, and reopening the Japan beef market. The following Kansas leaders were on the trip: Ken McCauley, NCGA President-elect from White Cloud; Brian Baalman of Menlo; Dan Guetterman of Bucyrus; Bob Timmons of Fredonia; Charles Foltz of Garnett and Bill Pauly of Denton. KCGA/KCC Executive Director Jere White accompanied the group.

 

7-11-06--McCauley Returns from China, Vietnam
Ken McCauley was part of a fact finding mission to China and Vietnam earlier this month. This was a joint mission of NCGA and the US Grains Council. USGC sponsored the first two legs of the trip to Vietnam and China, where mission objectives included analyzing market situations in both countries and assessing the role each will play in importing U.S. feed grains and coproducts like DDGs.

McCauley reported there is good potential for sales of corn to China and DDGS to Vietnam. “The main question we were asked is ‘do you have enough corn?’” McCauley said. “It was really good that we were there to tell them that yes, we do have enough corn and to tell them the real story—higher prices will cause more production, yields are increasing every year. We told every one of them emphatically that we do have enough corn. You place an order and we’ll get you the corn. Having actual growers on these missions gives a lot of credibility.”

NCGA President Gerald Tumbleson, First Vice President Ken McCauley, Corn Board member Daryl Haack and CEO Rick Tolman represented NCGA on the trip. USGC President and CEO Ken Hobbie, Chairman Davis Anderson, Vice Chairman Vic Miller and Senior Director of International Relations Mike Callahan represented USGC.

Tumbleson and McCauley both said they saw the potential of markets for DDGs in Vietnam and for corn in China.

“I think we have a good chance to sell some DDGs into Vietnam’s feeding rations,” Tumbleson said. “This is a good opportunity because they have swine and swine is going to be their industry.”

McCauley agreed, noting the DDGs shipped separately in containers from the United States to Vietnam will be a good business. “Because they feed pork, we stressed the fact that they need to work with their suppliers to make sure they’ll get what they need, because when you’re dealing with pork, you need to know what the DDG is composed of and what kind of process it’s been through.”

Vietnam ports are adequately structured to accept the containers from U.S. ships, the corn grower leaders noted.

Tumbleson and McCauley also noted a trend shift in China, where they saw a transition from a corn exports to corn imports.

“They’re shifting from a corn exporter to a corn importer because their production isn’t increasing as much as they need it to domestically, and they need more corn,” said McCauley.

Tumbleson noted the trend is largely due to the small farms that can’t produce the quantities that China needs. “They don’t use biotechnology, and their farms are very small,” he explained. “If they changed their field size and used biotechnology, their production would be tremendous. But I don’t know if they’ll get to that.”

He added China’s farm programs pay farmers to stay in the countryside, limiting the amount of corn they can produce. Meanwhile, the country is expanding its processing capacity, currently at 100 percent, and will rely on corn imports to meet their growing needs.

As in the United States and elsewhere throughout the world, Tumbleson and McCauley noted a key concern expressed in both countries was adequate corn supplies. “The big thing was the concern in the export areas that we don’t have enough corn,” McCauley said. “Our message was that we do and I felt like we got that message conquered.”

6-9-06--Moroccan Feed Millers Learn About Corn, DDGS in Kansas Tour
Interest in U.S. corn and distillers grains brought a team of feed millers from Morocco to Kansas this week. The tour was facilitated by the US Grains Council. The Kansas Corn Commission (KCC) hosted the eastern Kansas portion of the visit.

The group met for a breakfast meeting at the KCC’s Garnett office before visiting the farm of Glenn Caldwell. Caldwell showed the trade team his grain handling systems and implements, and answered questions about his farming operation and the markets for his grain. A highlight for members of the team was riding on Caldwell’s GPS-guided spraying implement, showcasing some of the new technology that is allowing growers to produce high quality crops.

The next stop was at the East Kansas Agri Energy LLC ethanol plant at Garnett where the grain buyers visited with EKAE and United Bio Energy distillers grains (DDGS) merchandisers. Morocco recently lowered its tariff on distillers grains and the trade team members were interested in learning more about quality and transportation of DDGS. United BioEnergy provides ethanol and DDGS marketing services to EKAE. The company recently provided DDGS from the Garnett plant for feeding trials in Tunisia.

“A key component of the tour was the visit to an ethanol plant to see DDGS produced and talk directly to the people offering the product,” according to Jere White, executive director of the Kansas Corn Commission. “The team also had an opportunity to see farm operations that exemplify the state-of-art technology American farmers use to produce quality grain.”

The group attended the Corn Utilization and Technology Conference in Dallas, Texas before traveling to Kansas. After leaving Garnett, the trade team made several other stops in Kansas, visiting a dairy, a feedmill, a feedlot and a poultry feedmill.

The Kansas Corn Commission works closely with the US Grains Council to build export markets for corn and corn co-products like DDGS. KCC is a nine-member grower board that determines how the half-cent corn checkoff is invested in the areas of foreign and domestic market development, research, promotion and education. For more information on Kansas corn, ethanol and grain sorghum, visit www.ksgrains.com

5-25-06--Growers Celebrate Garden City Ethanol Groundbreaking
About 150 people attended a groundbreaking ceremony Wednesday for a 55 million gallon ethanol plant at Garden City. Dirt work being done on the site went on while leaders of Conestoga Energy Partners LLC outlined their plans for the plant. The Kansas Corn Growers Association and Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association congratulated the group on beginning the construction phase of the project.

The Garden City ethanol plant will use over 19 million bushels of corn and grain sorghum to produce 55 million gallons of ethanol and 420,000 tons of wet distillers grains per year. The total cost of the project is $85 million and will be built by Kansas-based ICM, Inc. When completed, the plant will hire between 33 and 40 employees with a payroll of over $1.4 million.

“This is a positive for the economy of Garden City area and its surrounding agricultural industry. This plant will bring increased revenues and jobs for the community, build markets for growers and offer a high quality feed for livestock feeders” according to KCGA/KGSPA Executive Director Jere White. “At the same time, this plant will help us increase our energy independence by producing a clean, renewable and domestically produced fuel.”

Organizers expect the plant to be completed and operational by August of 2007. The plant is being built next to WindRiver Grains, LLC. The ethanol plant plans to source its grain from WindRiver.

Kansas currently has seven ethanol plants that produce 170 million gallons of ethanol per year. A 40 million gallon plant at Phillipsburg is under construction and expected to be completed this summer. Other plant projects are in various stages of planning in Kansas. In addition to the Garden City project, Conestoga Energy Partners LLC is working to complete plans for a 110 million gallon ethanol plant located near Liberal. Conestoga Energy Partners LLC is working with Colorado-based BBI International to develop both the Garden City and Liberal projects.

For more information on Kansas corn, grain sorghum and ethanol, visit www.ksgrains.com.

5-5-06--Ethanol Featured at Kansas Corn, Sorghum Exhibit at Great Bend 3i Show
A large outdoor exhibit at the 3i Show will feature ethanol-powered vehicles and information on ethanol. The booth, sponsored by Kansas Corn and Grain Sorghum Commissions and Associations will be located outside the main exhibit building.

“If you have questions about ethanol, you’ll want to visit this booth,” according to Sue Schulte, KCGA/KGSPA Director of Communications. “We’ll be ready to answer your questions about Kansas ethanol, E10 and E85 ethanol blended fuels and flexible fuel vehicles.”

On display will be the Chevrolet Tahoe that GM has provided to the State of Kansas and other states that belong to the Governor’s Ethanol Coalition. Kansas Corn Commission will also have an flexible fuel vehicle on display. The National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition and Kansas Department of Agriculture will assist in the exhibit.

The Kansas Corn Commission, United Bio Energy and the NEVC are working on an effort to add at least 20 E85 stations in Kansas in 2006.

“Consumer awareness and interest in ethanol and especially E85 fuel continues to grow,” Schulte said. “We’ve been promoting ethanol since the 1970s. Increasing production and use of ethanol in Kansas continues to be a priority for our organizations.”

AgriTalk, the nationally syndicated agriculture talk radio program will broadcast live from the ethanol exhibit on Thursday from 10 to 11 a.m. On Friday, the Kansas Corn Commission will host an AgriTalk Ethanol Pump Tour stop at the Golden Belt 66 station located at 10th and Main in Great Bend from 9 a.m. to noon. Agritalk will broadcast live from the event. E85, 85 percent ethanol fuel, will be sold for $1.85 from 9 a.m. to noon. In addition to the discounted price, drivers with flexible fuel vehicles will receive prizes and giveaway items when they fill up with E85.

Visit www.kgsrains.com for more information on Kansas corn, sorghum and ethanol.

3-30-06--Kansas Growers Elect Corn Commissioners
TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Agriculture recently announced the names of producers from the western third of the state who were elected to the state’s five commodity commissions – corn, grain sorghum, soybeans, sunflowers and wheat.


Ballots were cast between January 15 and March 1 and were counted at the Kansas Department of Agriculture during March. The newly elected commissioners will take office April 1 and will serve for three years. This was the second election cycle for districts one, two and three under the new law that privatized the commissions in July 2000. Previously, commissioners were appointed by the governor.

Commissioners-elect for the Kansas Corn Commission are:

District one – Brian Baalman, who produces corn, sorghum, soybeans, sunflowers and wheat in Sheridan County. Baalman currently serves as the president of the Kansas Corn Growers Association and is a board member of Western Plains Energy. Baalman fills the position vacated by Ted Zielke of St. Francis.

District two – Harvey Heier, who grows corn and wheat with his wife, Cammie, and three children on a farm in Gove County. He is active in his community church and has served nine years on the local co-op board. Heier fills the position vacated by Ron Blaesi of Sharon Springs.

District three – Greg Stone, who manages and operates family farm interests with his wife, Angela, in Finney County. He farms corn, alfalfa, potatoes, beans and other forage. Stone graduated from Kansas State University with a B.S. in Agronomy in 1989. Stone fills the position vacated by Donnie Young of Ulysses.

Corn, grain sorghum, soybean, sunflower and wheat growers in the eastern third of the
state can expect to receive information by mail this fall outlining the 2007 election procedure. Also, commission representatives will visit field day events to distribute information. Affected by the 2007 election will be districts seven, eight and nine. District seven includes Atchison, Brown, Doniphan, Jackson, Jefferson, Leavenworth, Marshall, Nemaha, Pottawatomie, Riley and Wyandotte counties. District eight includes Anderson, Chase, Coffey, Douglas, Franklin, Geary, Johnson, Linn, Lyon, Miami, Morris, Osage, Shawnee and Wabaunsee counties. District nine includes Allen, Bourbon, Butler, Chautauqua, Cherokee, Cowley, Crawford, Elk, Greenwood, Labette, Montgomery, Neosho, Wilson and Woodson counties.

Grain growers who plan to campaign for a seat on one of the commissions must collect
on an official petition form 20 signatures from eligible voters to be included on the
2007 ballot. Official petition forms will be available through the Kansas Department
of Agriculture or one of the grain commodity commissions. The filing deadline for candidates is Nov. 30, 2006.

3-24-06--Corn, Sorghum Growers Applaud Passage of Bill to Lower E85 Fuel Tax
A bill that will lower the fuel tax on E85 ethanol fuel passed the Kansas House and Senate and is on its way to the governor. The Kansas Corn Growers Association and Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association worked for passage of the bill and applauded the legislature’s action. The bill would change the way the state taxes E85, 85% ethanol fuel, by basing the tax on energy content instead of a flat tax rate. The result is a drop in the tax for E85 from 24 cents per gallon to 17 cents per gallon, a seven cent savings for E85 users.

“This bill does two things. It addresses an inequity in the state motor fuels tax, and it will encourage the use of E85 fuel,” according to Jere White, Executive Director of KGSPA and KCGA.”E85 fuel does have a lower energy content than gasoline and a car travels fewer miles on E85 than it does on gas. If a state motor fuel tax is based on a per-gallon fee, the E85 users are are being unfairly penalized because they are paying more taxes per mile.”

E85 fuel is used in flexible fuel vehicles that operate on any combination of gas and ethanol up to 85 percent ethanol. The use of E85 fuel is expanding in Kansas, and is now available at ten stations in nine cities across the state of Kansas. At least 20 more E85 stations are expected to come on line this year thanks to an effort by the Kansas Corn Commission, United BioEnergy and the National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition.

While E85 fuel offers slightly lower mileage than regular unleaded, motorists find the drop in mileage is often offset by a lower price at the pump. The ethanol in E85 is domestically produced, boasts over 100 octane and is a cleaner fuel.

Kansas currently has seven ethanol plants that produce 170 million gallons of ethanol per year. An eight plant is under construction at Phillipsburg and several others are on the drawing board.

The climate for expanding ethanol fuel use in Kansas continues to improve..

--The state offers a 40 percent tax credit to fuel retailers to offset infrastructure costs of adding E85 fuel. Retailers can couple the state credit with a 30 percent federal tax credit to offset up to 70 percent of their E85 infrastructure costs.

--The state offers a $750 tax credit for taxpayers who purchase a flexible fuel vehicle and use at least 500 gallons of ethanol.

--In 2005, the Kansas Legislature approved a bill that removed the labeling requirement for 10 percent ethanol blended fuel. Since the law was enacted in July, 2005, ethanol sales in Kansas have increased over 600 percent.
Kansas E85 Stations (as of March 2006)

COFFEYVILLE
Bordertown II, 2708 South Walnut

BIRD CITY
Frontier Equity Exchange, 209 West Highway 36

EMPORIA
S & S Oil Cardlock #1, 711 Anderson Street

GARNETT
Petro Plus, 120 S Maple Street (Highway 59)

GIRARD
Producers Coop, 300 E. St. John,

GREAT BEND
Bird Express, 1000 Main Street

Moeder Oil Company, Inc., 2302 Rail Road Avenue

HAYS
Power Plus, 3505 Vine St (I-70 access)

MAIZE
Maize Kwik Shop #728, 5340 N. Maize Rd

TOPEKA
Capital City Oil, 4141 NW Lower Silver Lake Road

E85 coming soon to Brewster, Goodland & Sublette. At least 20 more on the way!
 

2-16-06--Emporia Station Adds E85, 85% Ethanol Fuel
E85 fuel for flexible fuel vehicles can now be found in Emporia at S & S Oil’s Cardlock facility at 711 Anderson Street, just off of Highway 50. E85 is an alternative fuel made for Flexible Fuel Vehicles (FFVs), which are equipped to operate on any combination of gasoline and ethanol up to 85 percent ethanol. There are over 6 million flexible fuel vehicles on the road today that can operate on E85. It is estimated there are more than 80,000 flexible fuel vehicles in Kansas.

“This is an excellent location for E85. It is easily accessible from I-35 and Highway 50,” according to Robert White with National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition. (NEVC)

Motorists wishing to purchase E85 at S&S Oil will need a CFN card, which is available at the S&S Oil and Propane office located near the cardlock facility. CFN cards can be used at more than 3000 stations nationwide, including the E85 station in Topeka. S&S Oil and Propane Company Vice President Larry Mechtley said the new E85 pump is getting the attention of drivers.

“We are already getting quite a few people coming in and getting CFN cards for E85,” he said.

The Kansas Corn Commission, United Bio Energy and NEVC are working together to add approximately 20 new E85 fueling site in Kansas in 2006. NEVC is a national organization that strives to build the infrastructure for E85 fuel for use in flexible fuel vehicles. Stations are also benefiting from state and federal tax credits that help offset a substantial portion of the cost associated with adding E85 fuel.

E85 is the term for motor fuel blends of 85 percent ethanol and just 15 percent gasoline. Besides its superior performance characteristics (over 100 octane), ethanol is a renewable, domestically produced, environmentally friendly fuel that enhances the nation's economy and energy independence.

E85 fuel is now available at nine stations in eight Kansas cities. In addition to the Emporia location, E85 can be found at stations in Bird City, Great Bend (2 stations), Coffeyville, Hays, Topeka, Maize and Garnett.

For Kansas ethanol information, including locations of E85 stations and information on flexible fuel vehicle, visit the Kansas Ethanol Information website at www.ksgrains.com. More information on E85 fuel can be found at the NEVC website at www.e85fuel.com.

The Kansas Corn Commission is a nine-member grower board that invests the half-cent corn checkoff in the areas of market development, promotion, research and education to build the value of Kansas corn. Kansas now has seven ethanol plants that produce 170 million gallons of ethanol per year from 65 million bushels of corn and grain sorghum. An eighth plant is under construction in Phillipsburg and others are in various stages of planning.

E85 Stations Now In Operation in Kansas:

EMPORIA
S & S Oil Cardlock #1, 711 Anderson Street

BIRD CITY
Frontier Equity Exchange, 209 West Highway 36

GREAT BEND
Bird Express, 1000 Main Street,

Moeder Oil Company, Inc., 2302 Rail Road Avenue

COFFEYVILLE
Bordertown II Smoke Shop, 2708 South Walnut

HAYS
Power Plus, 3505 Vine St (I-70 access)

TOPEKA
Capital City Oil, 4141 NW Lower Silver Lake Road

MAIZE
Maize Kwik Shop #728, 5340 N. Maize Rd.

GARNETT
Petro Plus, 120 S Maple Street (Highway 59)