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8-31-11—Kansas Corn and Pro-Ethanol Supporters Partner with K-State for Sweepstakes
The Kansas Corn Commission (KCC) has partnered with Kansas State Athletics this fall to bring fans the “Live Wildcat Purple, Drive Ethanol Green” sweepstakes. Throughout the football season, fans can text ETHANOL to 66856 to register to win a 2-year lease on a 2012 flex-fuel GMC Sierra pickup. From the text entries, six finalists will be selected and announced at halftime of each of K-State’s first six home football games this fall. All six finalists will then return for the season finale against Iowa State University on December 3 to determine the winner of the grand prize.

“We are excited to partner with K-State to promote Kansas’ home grown fuel. The story of ethanol is a positive one. Using ethanol-blended fuel reduces our dependence on foreign oil, delivers more energy than used to produce it, reduces harmful greenhouse gas emissions and is the highest performance fuel on the market today,” stated KCC Communications Specialist, DeEtta Bohling.

The GMC Sierra, powered with 85 percent ethanol, will be on display at each K-State home game for fans to see and learn more about the benefits of using ethanol. The vehicle will also be displayed during the week at Dara’s Corner Market at the intersection of Kimball Avenue and Tuttle Cree Boulevard, as well as Briggs’ GMC Dealership in Manhattan. In addition to the 2-year lease, the winner will also receive a year’s supply of free ethanol to fuel the vehicle.

Additional sweepstakes partners include the Kansas Association of Ethanol Processors, Kansas Farm Bureau, the Renewable Fuels Association, and Growth Energy. The vehicle lease is provided by Briggs GMC and E85 fuel is being supplied Carter Energy and Dara’s Corner Market.

“There isn’t an industry that has embraced sustainability like agriculture has. The farmer’s footprint has gotten significantly lighter on the environment while bushels in the wagon have gotten heavier. Kansas corn farmers continue to increase productivity and we should be proud that our growers are able to produce enough corn for feed, fiber and fuel,” said Bohling.

For more information about the “Live Wildcat Purple, Drive Ethanol Green Sweepstakes,” visit http://www.formstack.com/landing/2189.

7-8-11--Kansas Farm Family Featured in Corn Farmers Coalition Educational Effort
Thousands of people in Washington, DC are looking at the McCauley farm family from White Cloud, Kansas this summer. The McCauley family is one of several American farm families featured in the Corn Farmers Coalition campaign that aims to educate Washington DC decision makers about agriculture. The McCauleys and other farm families are also featured in the Corn Fact Book published by the coalition. The Corn Fact Book is available at cornfarmerscoalition.com.

The Corn Farmers Coalition secured all the advertising space in two key Washington DC metro rail stations. In June, CFC ads were featured in Union Station and this month they appear in the Capitol South station.

“We purchased all the advertising spots in these stations, from large banners on the walls, smaller posters on pillars and even art on the floor. Posters with Ken and Mary McCauley are on the floor as you get on and off the escalator in the Capitol South Station. You truly can’t miss our messages. If you walk through the station you are likely to walk on Ken and Mary,” according the Sue Schulte, Kansas Corn Commission director of communications. “These stations were chosen because of the large number of legislative and regulatory staff who pass through them on a daily basis. An added benefit comes from the large number of tourists who also pass through the stations in the summer.”

Checkoff programs in 14 states including Kansas fund the program and work with the National Corn Growers Association to develop the educational campaign. The fact book is being widely distributed in Washington in support of a major educational campaign that includes print, radio, online and large scale outdoor messages. The Corn Farmers Coalition advertising campaign features photographs of farmers holding signs with numbers coinciding with facts about corn farming. Four generations of the McCauley family are featured in a poster with the fact: “95% of all corn farms in America are family owned.” (Source: USDA)

The families are also featured in the Corn Fact Book, a publication that provides an in-depth look at the strides corn farmers are making in producing corn in a productive and sustainable way. Ken McCauley, who serves on the Kansas Corn Commission, commented on his family's photo in the Corn Fact book.

“The seventh generation of the McCauley farm family is in this photo. So is the sixth, fifth and fourth,” McCauley said. The word “sustainable” is often used these days, and Ken can’t think of any better definition than his family farm.

“We’ve more than doubled yields since I’ve been farming, and at the same time we’ve improved our soil and better managed our resources,” he said. “When you figure the sixth generation is taking over the farm now as the seventh grows up on it, I say we’re doing a great job ensuring our land will provide for our family and help feed and fuel our country well into the future. You can’t get more sustainable than that.”

Centered on key facts from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Environmental Protection Agency, the Corn Fact Book chronicles how farmers have used generations of knowledge and married it with modern technology, innovation and hard work to provide plenty or corn for our expanding list of uses.

As public interest increasingly focuses on sustainability, the Corn Fact Book details the incredible advancements that allow U.S. farm growers to produce more using fewer inputs year after year. Using new techniques and technologies, corn farmers have managed to decrease soil erosion by 44 percent in two decades, using 37 percent less energy per bushel, while producing 20 percent more corn per acre than anywhere else in the world.

“I’m really proud of the fact that our farm today is better than it was four decades ago when I started farming,” McCauley said. “And it will be even better as the next generation takes what we’ve learned and improves it.”

“The facts that are shared by the Corn Farmers Coalition don’t come from us. They come from USDA and EPA,” according to Schulte, who is on the CFC steering committee. “We listened to focus groups in Washington DC and learned that professionals in our capitol have a positive view of farmers, but at the same time, they think that there are very few real family farmers. They were surprised to learn that 30 percent of farm operators are women, and they didn’t know that most of the money in the farm bill goes to programs such as forestry, food stamps, school lunches, and other programs. And they didn’t want to just see facts and figures, they wanted to see the faces of farmers and that’s what we’ve given them—in a big way.”

The facts show that the efforts by family farmers to improve their environmental footprint are paying off. Thirty-two percent less water is needed to produce a bushel of corn and emissions produced in growing and harvesting a bushel of corn has dropped 30 percent. Farmers are growing 85 percent more corn per ounce of fertilizer than they did 20 years ago, and with a national average of 153 bushels per acre, the 2010 crop was about 20 percent larger than the average yield in 2002.
 

7-26-11--Heat, Drought Challenge Many Kansas Corn Farmers
July 26, 2011--Hot, dry weather continued to plague Kansas corn producers, lowering crop conditions, according to the Kansas Agricultural Statistics Service. This week's Crop Progress and Condition report pegged the corn crop at 16 percent very poor, 18 percent poor, 32 percent fair, and 34 percent good to excellent.

"About a third of our crop is rated poor to very poor, a third is rated fair and a third is rated good to excellent. We won't know the full statewide outcome until the combines are in the fields this fall," according to Kansas Corn Growers Association Communications Director Sue Schulte. "Years like this are the reason we must maintain a strong crop insurance system."

Kansas growers planted 5.1 million acres of corn this year. Improvement in crop technology and farming practices improve the corn crop's chances of surviving challenging weather conditions.

"Not only are we dealing with dry conditions, we are dealing with incredible heat as well. There is no doubt there are many Kansas growers suffering this year with these conditions, especially those in the southern two-thirds of the state." Schulte said.

The U.S. drought monitor shows varying levels of drought in Kansas. 8.6 percent of the state is in a D4 "exceptional" drought, located in parts of eleven southwest and south central Kansas counties. Nearly half of the state is experiencing some level of drought conditions. In mid-July of 2010, no counties in Kansas were experiencing drought conditions.

7-22-11--Ogallala Aquifer Meeting Draws Large Crowd, Forwards Discussion
Staff report from Sue Schulte, KCGA Director of Communications

Over 400 people attended the Governor’s Economic Summit on the Ogallala Aquifer in Colby on Thursday. The sheer number of people in attendance was impressive and underscores the level of interest in the aquifer and its importance to the economy of Kansas. Participants in the conference ranged from those involved in all facets of agriculture and agribusiness, farmers, ranchers, city officials, legislators, association representatives and government officials.

The group listened to an overview and roundtable discussion in the morning session. Giving morning presentations were Brownie Wilson, Kansas Geological Survey; Dr. Bill Golden, Kansas State University, and Dr. Joseph Aistrup, Kansas State University. Kansas Governor Sam Brownback led the roundtable discussion where he listened to questions from attendees and discussed ways to conserve and extend the life of the aquifer. After lunch, the conference attendees broke into small groups in the afternoon to discuss the future of the aquifer, the individual’s role and what the Brownback administration can do to help.

Some of the points that come out of the afternoon sessions included:
--Conservation efforts should be determined by local groups to fit local conditions.

--Reductions or water conservation efforts need to be made by all growers in area, not just individuals.

--Interest in finding ways to improve recharge of the aquifer. Questions about the impact of the river flow, and diversion to the ditches, like the Amazon and Southside.

--Water usage reductions should be phased in to allow growers time to make changes.

--Some recognition for the impact and potential of new technologies and improved farming practices as well as drought tolerant traits becoming available.

--Questions about whether other states located in the aquifer are doing anything to conserve water; some asked whether there should be a multi-state Ogallala compact.

--Governor Brownback’s interest in removing “Use It or Lose It” language from water law to encourage more voluntary conservation without growers being penalized for using less water.

--Many reiterated that water rights are personal property rights in Kansas.

--Optimizing incentives and government programs to encourage conservation.

--Some interest in more use of IGUCAs for conservation efforts.

Follow this link http://www.kwo.org/Ogallala/Ogallala_Discussion_Page.htm to presentations made in the morning session and outcomes of the afternoon group discussions.

7-1-11--Kansas Farmers Plant 7.6 Million Acres of Feedgrains for Livestock, Ethanol and Other Uses

Kansas farmers have planted 5.1 million acres of corn in Kansas and 2.5 million acres of sorghum. That’s 7.6 million acres of feedgrains planted to meet the demands of all their customers.

Kansas growers are expected to harvest 4.8 million acres or corn. The 10-year average yield for Kansas corn is 131.5 bushels per acre. If the Kansas crop meets the 10-year average, Kansas growers would harvest a record 631 million bushels of corn. The record of 589.3 million bushels was set in 2009,

Kansas farmers are expected to harvest 2.35 million acres of sorghum. If growers meet the 10-year average yield of 68 bushels per acre, they would harvest 160 million bushels, which is roughly equal to the amount of grain used by Kansas ethanol plants. Ethanol in Kansas is made with both grain sorghum and corn. A third of the grain used for ethanol returns to the feeding stream as high nutrient distillers grains.

“It’s important to note that many of our growers are experiencing varying levels of drought, especially in southwest and southcentral Kansas. At the same time, a small number of growers along the northeastern border of the state are impacted by the flooding Missouri River,” KCGA/KGSPA Director of Communications Sue Schulte said. “While it’s difficult to overcome extreme dry conditions, our growers are better positioned to handle dry weather, thanks to improved crop genetics and better farming practices like conservation tillage.”

Nationwide, farmers have shown their resilience in enduring many challenges to getting their crops
in the ground. The USDA estimates that U.S. farmers planted 92.3 million acres of corn this spring and will harvest
84.9 million acres this fall. Using the USDA’s current projection of yield, 158.7 bushels per acre, this means a harvest of nearly 13.5 billion bushels of corn, a new record.

6-20-11--Kansas Corn Commission Joins with RFA and EKAE to Promote Ethanol Fuels in Boating

The Kansas Corn Commission has joined an effort with the Renewable Fuels Association and East Kansas Agri-Energy ethanol plant to sponsor the National Boat Racing Association's 2011 Ethanol Challenge Series. The Garnett Ethanol Hydroplane Nationals are being held June 25 and 26 at Cedar Valley Reservoir at Garnett. Racing will take place at the lake from noon to 5 p.m on Saturday and Sunday. Ethanol information and materials will be given to race fans. The National Boat Racing Association is active in dispelling misinformation about ethanol's fuel performance in watercraft. This partnership will prove that ethanol is effective not only vehicles on the road, but high-performance marine engines as well.

Today, nearly every gallon of gasoline sold in the United States is blended with ethanol, most commonly in the E10 formulation.  This blend of fuel has been approved by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for use in all engine types, including marine equipment, automobiles, and small or non-road engines. These two-stroke engine boats will be taking engine performance to the next level, reaching top speeds operating on E10 fuel purchased from the same retail fuel locations as local consumers.

"American boaters have been utilizing ethanol-blended fuel safely and effectively for years," said Vernon Barfield, NBRA Spokesperson. "Ethanol-blended fuel provides the high-performance engines in this series with the horsepower and performance they need to win.  We are excited to show that our racing boats are able to perform to their best capability using E10 fuel, shaking the myths that ethanol harms marine engines."

About the KCC: The Kansas Corn Commission is a grower-funded, grower-governed organization working to secure the future of Kansas corn. The state corn checkoff invests a half-cent per bushel in the areas of research, market development, promotion and education. Visit http://www.ksgrains.com.

About the NBRA: NBRA, a national sanctioning body, was formed in 2001 to promote the sport of stock and modified outboard hydroplane and runabout racing through increased awareness of the sport, encouraging safety, and expanding its competition. Visit www.raceNBRA.com.

About the RFA:  The Renewable Fuels Association's mission is to advance the development, production, and use of ethanol fuel by strengthening America's ethanol industry and raising awareness about the benefits of renewable fuels. RFA's 200 members are working to help America become cleaner, safer, more energy independent and economically secure.  Visit www.EthanolRFA.org.

6-9-11—Kansas Corn Takes Firsthand Look at China Spring Crop Progress

After years as a significant export competitor in Asian markets, China has recently emerged as a net corn importer, and most analysts expect Chinese imports to rise in the near term. The speed and scale of this shift – and the potential of Chinese efforts to ramp up production – are major uncertainties for corn producers and traders around the world.

These and other questions in the Chinese grain belt were explored last week by a U.S. Grains Council survey team which got a firsthand look at the rapid progress of Chinese agriculture racing to meet surging domestic demand.

Kansas Corn Commission communications specialist, DeEtta Bohling of Ottawa, Kan., returned Saturday from China, where she surveyed the corn growing conditions and studied the Chinese government policies that affect acreage, marketing and demand. Bohling joined participants from six other states on the 2011 U.S. Grains Council (UCGC) Corn Tour which met with farmers, traders and provincial officials in the northeastern China provinces of Heilongjiang and Jilin, both major corn producing areas.

“Private and government storage facilities are prevalent throughout both provinces. Farmers have sold most of their production at harvest. Private facilities have low inventories held for private traders. Speculation is that government storage of corn is at low levels but there is no effective way to measure it,” said Bohling.

Heilongjiang and Jilin provinces each produced 22 million metric tons (866 million bushels) of corn in 2010. Roughly half of the harvest was consumed locally. The remainder was sold and shipped to southern provinces where there is higher population density and feed consumption.

Corn planting acreage for 2011 is expected to generally increase marginally as farmers experienced good prices in 2010 with increased demand. While some increased corn acres have come from wheat and soybean acreage, there is also increased competition for fruits and vegetables, particularly near urban areas. Some land was unplanted and attributed to increased urban encroachment.

“China continues to balance many contending factors such as modern technology, information technology, increasing mechanization and the aging agricultural labor force. There is a vast exodus of young people to the city. We witnessed land loss due to urbanization,” said Floyd Gaibler, USGC director of trade policy, who accompanied the group.

In both Heilongjiang and Jilin provinces, emergence is behind normal levels due to rainy weather and low temperatures. The team also observed that germination was spotty in some locations with skipped spaces and an occurrence of hand replanting.

While in China, the seven-member delegation also met with several corn farmers, trade partners and end-users. The group visited grain storage facilities including Heilongjiang Zhaodong Xiangyang Grain Storage and Sinograins storage facility. Visits were also made to COFCO Bio-Energy Co., Ltd., an industrial processor; Jilin Fuyu Xian Fu Guo Grains Trading Co.; Jilin Henong Animal Husbandry Group Co., Ltd., the largest commercial feed company in Northeast China; and the Heilongjiang Shuangcheng Modern Agricultural Science and Technology Demonstration Field. The delegation also had the opportunity to speak with farmers who run small hog farm operations, using a modern corn-soy ration for feed.

“Hog prices are at historically high levels in both provinces. Backyard feed hog feeding is declining and feeding operations are increasing in size. High corn prices are affecting profits. There are concerns of new foot and mouth disease variants and could lower demand for soybean meal and corn,” reported Bohling.

Other members of the mission included Gary Schmalshof from the Illinois Corn Marketing Board; Dick Gallagher of the Iowa Corn Promotion Board; Ken Kindler from Dow AgroSciences LLC; Tom Gillis from the Wisconsin Corn Promotion Board; Dennis Gengenbach from the Nebraska Corn Board; and Lori Feltis of the Minnesota Corn Research and Promotion Council. The delegation was escorted by Council staff Dick Kasting, director of strategic relations, and Floyd Gaibler, director of trade policy.
 

6-3-11--Chinese Crop Tour

Following is a report from Kansas Corn Communications Specialist DeEtta Bohling who recently returned from US Grains Council crop tour in China.

By DeEtta Bohling, Communications Specialist
This past week I have been traveling northeast China (Beijing, Harbin, Zhaodung, Zhaoyuan, Fuyu, Changchun, Changling, and Shuangliao) with the U.S. Grains Council and corn growers from Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin and Nebraska as a part of the Chinese Spring Corn Tour. The purpose of this tour is to survey the crop growing conditions including the weather, planting and germination. By participating on this tour, we better understand the corn market, Chinese government policies, marketing and demand, and the local feed and livestock situation.

I have spent the last three days touring the countryside of northeast China and speaking to the farmers out working in their fields. It has to be intimidating for the farmer to see about twelve foreigners walking through their field towards them, but everyone has been willing to speak with us and allowed time for us to ask questions about what they are doing and why they are doing it. Agriculture is their livelihood, just like many of the growers I am traveling with and their love for the land shows.

The average size of land per farmer here is 2 hectors (about 5 acres) and the government owns all the land so farmers rent the area from the government. We have toured several fields (growing corn, rice, peppers, grapes, onions, and others), a grain buying facility, an ethanol plant, a feed mill operation, a fertilizer dealer, an equipment dealer and hog farmer.

We stopped and visited with two farmers that were doing some replanting of the skips on the first day. Corn is as far along here as it is in many areas of the U.S. farmers are having many of the same issues that folks in the United States are having, be it cooler temperatures, high moisture, or delayed planting. There is a vast amount of farm land in the areas we have toured and the soil quality is great. The last two days we have spent time in Jilin Provence. The area consists of 55 million hectors with a population of 27.9 million people. Fourteen million of those people are living in the country.

Currently, there are 3.3 million hectors dedicated to corn, though that number continues to rise. The yield also continues to rise. On average, there are 52,000 corn plants per hector of land. Recently they have been experiencing lower temperatures during the month of May, but their largest concern is drought during the summer months. The western part of Jilin Provence has been experimenting with irrigation due to drought conditions. The cost for this is 20,000 RMB (about $3,125) per hector of land. 55% of farmers in this area use compound fertilizers. There are currently 8,000 seed companies in China but only 100 of them have research behind them.

The group, overall, has been impressed with the corn and soil quality and the amount of work that goes into planting by hand. Needless to say, the potential for Chinese agriculture is huge along with the use of modern agricultural technology. Without the use of technology, China simply will not be able to meet the demand.

Check out DeEtta's photos from the China Crop Tour on the U.S. Grains Council’s Flickr site.
 

6-3-11--Kansas Corn Commission Presents Proficiency Award at FFA Convention
Greg Harris, Chapman FFA Chapter, received the Diversified Crop Production-Entrepreneurship proficiency award at the Kansas FFA Convention Thursday. Sue Schulte, Kansas Corn Commission Director of Communications, presented the award to Harris on behalf of the Commission.

“It’s a great opportunity to be able to spend the day with these Kansas FFA members,” Schulte said. “It is quite an accomplishment for an FFA member to receive a proficiency award on the state level. Greg put a lot of time into qualifying for the proficiency award. In visiting with Greg, I was impressed with his strong knowledge of farming. Agriculture needs young, innovative people like Greg.”

Greg just completed his freshman year at Kansas State University. He began farming on 50 acres, but has grown his operation to 250 acres of wheat, soybeans and sorghum. This year, he said, he is adding corn to his rotation. Greg has learned about making planting and fertilizer application decisions, utilizing insurance and marketing programs, and how farm expenses affect his operation. Greg also achieved his goal of investing in the farm equipment to build his equity. After completing his degree in agricultural technology management from Kansas State University, Greg would like to design GPS and rate management systems, acquire more ground and eventually co-manage the family farm. His parents are Kevin and Rosemary Harris.

The FFA proficiency awards recognize excellence in supervised agricultural experience programs. The program rewards FFA members at the local, district, state and national levels for exceptional accomplishments in progressing toward specific career objectives in agriculture. The 83rd Kansas FFA Convention was held June 1-3 at Kansas State University.

The Kansas Corn Commission also sponsored the livestock judging award in the FFA’s State Career Development Events in Agriculture. The team winner was the Caney FFA and the individual winner was Randee Corns of Eureka.

The Kansas Corn Commission is a 4-Star Sponsor of Kansas FFA Foundation. “I find it impressive to look at the list of FFA sponsors and find not only farm organizations and agribusiness, but businesses and individuals from all walks of life,” Schulte said.

The Kansas Corn Commission is a grower board that determines how the half-cent per bushel corn checkoff is invested in the areas of market development, promotion, research and education. For more information, visit www.ksgrains.com
 

5-13-11-- Kansas Corn Growers Made Strides In Planting This Week
Most Kansas growers saw dry conditions, but below normal statewide temperatures as they hit the fields with their planters in the last two weeks. Early this week, Kansas Agriculture Statistics Service estimated that 66 percent of the Kansas corn crop had been planted, compared to only 41 percent in the previous week. Twenty-five percent of the crop has emerged, which is a little behind the 5-year average of 27 percent, as cooler temperatures have slowed emergence.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) predicts a record 13.5 billion bushel corn crop for 2011. A strong corn market that has led to higher expected corn acres will help boost the corn supply.

“Another record corn crop is further evidence that our growers will continue to meet the needs for food, feed and fuel,” said Kansas Corn Growers Communication Specialist, DeEtta Bohling. “Kansas corn growers have another busy year ahead of them.”

In its first report on supply and demand for the corn crop now being planted across the Corn Belt, USDA projects that 2011 corn production will total 1.1 billion bushels more than 2010, due to an expected increase of 4 million planted acres. The 2011 average corn yield is projected at 158.7 bushels per acre, nearly six bushels over 2010.

The USDA further reports that total corn supply for the 2011-12 marketing year is projected at 14.3 billion bushels, and total U.S. corn use is projected at 13.4 billion bushels, down 1 percent from 2010. Corn use for ethanol is projected up 50 million bushels, reflecting a slow expected growth in gasoline consumption and continued export demand for ethanol in the coming year. Domestic corn feed and residual use is projected 50 million bushels lower than in 2010, reflecting the increased availability of feed co-products from ethanol production and lower expected residual use as compared with the current year. U.S. corn exports for 2011 are projected down 100 million bushels from 2010, with larger foreign corn supplies.

U.S. corn ending stocks for 2011-12 are projected at 900 million bushels, up 170 million from the current year projection. USDA also made minor revisions to the current 2010-11 crop demand estimate, resulting in an increase to carry-out of 730 million bushels.

USDA projects global coarse grain production for 2011 is projected at a record 1,146.8 million tons, up 6 percent from 2010.

5-3-11--Kansas Corn exhibit at 3i this week

Kansas Corn Commission will be among more than 500 exhibitors at the Annual 3i Show in Garden City, Kan. The show will take place at the Finney County Fairgrounds May 4-6.

The Kansas Biofuels tent is a joint effort of Kansas Corn and the Kansas Soybean Commission. The Biofuels Tent will feature the Kansas Corn Car, a flexible fuel Chevrolet Impala and the Kansas Soybean biodiesel truck. Visitors to the tent will have the opportunity to play a scratch ticket game for a chance to win free E85 fuel for flexible fuel vehicles and other prizes. General information on corn and soybeans will also be available at the booth.

“We will have staff on hand to answer questions about ethanol, flex fuel vehicles and any other questions people might have about our Kansas crops,” Kansas Corn Growers Association Communications Director Sue Schulte said. “The 3i Show is a great opportunity for us to visit with growers and consumers about biofuels, corn and more.”

The 3i Show is a salute to industry, implements, and irrigation. The 3i Show started from a traveling exhibit in 1950. It is the largest free exposition of its kind in Kansas and has attained nationwide recognition.

This year, the 3i Show will feature a Kansas Lottery truck giveaway, consumer product demonstrations, crop protection information, cattle handling equipment displays, an ATV demonstration area, strip-till demonstrations, tractor/GPS demonstrations, and a variety of food vendors.

Exhibits will be open 9 A.M – 5 P.M. daily. 3i Show parking and admission is free. The 3i Show is sponsored by the Western Kansas Manufactures Association. For more information on the 3i Show or to view a complete list of exhibitors, visit www.3ishow.com.

4-12-11-- Kansas Corn Commission to Sponsor National Boat Racing Association Event

The Kansas Corn Commission (KCC) will help sponsor a National Boat Racing Association event being held in Garnett, Kan. The Garnett race, taking place June 25-26, is part of a series of races that will run E10 ethanol this year.

In a partnership between the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) and the National Boat Racing Association (NBRA), it has been announced that Hydroplane and Runabout racing boats will be flying across the lakes of the Midwest on E10 ethanol (10% ethanol, 90% gasoline).

“The KCC is excited to see the NBRA use E10 to dismiss misinformation about ethanol’s fuel performance in watercrafts,” said DeEtta Bohling, KCC Communications Specialist. “This partnership will prove that ethanol is effective not only vehicles on the road, but high-performance marine engines as well.”

Today, nearly every gallon of gasoline sold in the United States is blended with ethanol, most commonly in the E10 formulation. This blend of fuel has been approved by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for use in all engine types, including marine equipment, automobiles, and small or non-road engines. These two-stroke engine boats will be taking engine performance to the next level, reaching top speeds operating on E10 fuel purchased from the same retail fuel locations as local consumers.

“American boaters have been utilizing ethanol-blended fuel safely and effectively for years,” said Vernon Barfield, NBRA Spokesperson. “Ethanol-blended fuel provides the high-performance engines in this series with the horsepower and performance they need to win. We are excited to show that our racing boats are able to perform to their best capability using E10 fuel, shaking the myths that ethanol harms marine engines.”

The Garnett race will take place at the Cedar Valley Reservoir and will feature several ethanol promotions that spectators will want to take advantage of.

“It is important that America’s consumers are aware the benefits ethanol blended fuels and the positive impact this domestic made fuel has on our environment and our economy,” said Bohling. “If ethanol is good enough to be used in NASCAR and NBRA events, it is definitely good enough for consumers to use in their vehicles and boats.”

About the KCC: The Kansas Corn Commission is a grower-funded, grower-governed organization working to secure the future of Kansas corn. The state corn checkoff invests a half-cent per bushel in the areas of research, market development, promotion and education. Visit http://www.ksgrains.com.

About the NBRA: NBRA, a national sanctioning body, was formed in 2001 to promote the sport of stock and modified outboard hydroplane and runabout racing through increased awareness of the sport, encouraging safety, and expanding its competition. Visit www.raceNBRA.com.

About the RFA: The Renewable Fuels Association's mission is to advance the development, production, and use of ethanol fuel by strengthening America’s ethanol industry and raising awareness about the benefits of renewable fuels. RFA’s 200 members are working to help America become cleaner, safer, more energy independent and economically secure. Visit www.EthanolRFA.org.

 2-10-11--Kansas Native, Bowyer, To Serve As NASCAR Spokesman for Ethanol

American Ethanol announced a sponsor partnership with Richard Childress Racing and its No. 33 Chevrolet driver, Kansan Clint Bowyer, for the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season. Bowyer, a native of Emporia, Kansas, will serve as an official spokesman for American Ethanol on behalf of America’s green, clean alternative fuel component. American Ethanol will be the primary sponsor of the No. 33 Chevrolet car at the June 5th Kansas Speedway 400 and an associate sponsor of the car for the rest of the season. The Kansas Corn Commission, along with several state corn organizations, Growth Energy and the National Corn Growers are partners in the American Ethanol coalition.

“This is big news for Kansas,” according to Kansas Corn Commission Chairman Mike Brzon. “A Kansas driver is the official NASCAR spokesman for ethanol. We look forward to working with Clint Bowyer through our American Ethanol coalition to reach millions of people across the nation with a positive message about domestically produced, renewable ethanol fuel.”

Growth Energy led the effort to create American Ethanol, the coalition that signed a partnership agreement with NASCAR to promote the use of domestically-produced ethanol from. The National Corn Growers Association and several state corn organization are partners in American Ethanol, putting America’s farmers in partnership with ethanol producers and NASCAR to promote ethanol.

Bowyer’s first race as American Ethanol spokesman will be this weekend at Daytona.

“Born and raised in the Midwest, it’s truly an honor to support American farmers as they strive to develop energy independence for our country,” said Bowyer. “I look forward to representing American Ethanol both on and off the track beginning this weekend in Daytona.”

Ethanol is the most commercially-viable alternative that America currently has to offset the economic impact of foreign petroleum. Corn ethanol reduces emissions by 59 percent. And by strengthening America’s energy independence, ethanol helps create American jobs – studies have shown that for every $1 sent overseas for oil, $1.55 leaves the U.S. economy.

"Corn farmers have played a big role funding research to make ethanol production more efficient and promoting its many benefits," said Bart Schott, National Corn Growers Association president. "Now, it is time to showcase all ethanol has to offer on a national stage. Working with professional pacesetters like Clint Bowyer and Richard Childress Racing, NASCAR, and Growth Energy is a remarkable opportunity for America's family farmers."

This year, NASCAR embraced the desire for greener, American-job-producing fuels when it announced its decision to move to Sunoco Green E15 for NASCAR's three national series.

“Richard Childress Racing is proud to partner with Growth Energy on our No. 33 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team,” said Richard Childress, president and CEO of Richard Childress Racing. “Growth Energy’s program of job creation and reduced foreign oil dependence through American ethanol is exactly what the United States needs in these tough economic times.”

The Kansas Corn Commission is a grower board charged with investing the state’s half-cent per bushel corn checkoff in the areas of research, market development, promotion and education.

1-7-11--Kansas Corn Commission to attend Topeka Farm Show

The Kansas Corn Commission will be staffing one of the 550 booths at the 22nd Annual Topeka Farm Show from January 11-13, 2011. The KCC staff will be available to answer questions about the state corn checkoff and to discuss the efforts within the corn industry to increase education and market development.

The Topeka Farm Show is held at the Kansas Expocentre and brings attendees that have a full-time stake in agriculture to meet and visit with exhibiting companies. The show hours are as follows: Tuesday- 9 A.M. to 5 P.M., Wednesday- 9 A.M to 8 P.M. and Thursday- 9 A.M. to 4 P.M. Parking and admission for the show are free.

In addition, the Topeka Farm Show will feature a Purebred Cattle Expo, Daily Horsemanship Clinics and leadership seminars produced daily by  Shawnee County Extension and K-State University. Attendees can get the latest information daily on the show by dialing into AM 580, as WIBW Farm Director, Kelly Lenz, will be live each day at the show.

The Kansas Corn Growers Association represents growers in legislative and regulatory issues. The Kansas Corn Commission invests the half-cent per bushel checkoff in the areas of research, market development, promotion and education.

For more information about the Topeka Farm Show visit www.tradexpos.com/topeka or www.ksgrains.com.

12-8-10--Kansas Corn Commission Provides Ethanol to 2011 Teacher of the Year
Curtis Chandler, an eighth grade language arts teacher at Wamego Middle School in the Wamego USD 320 school district was named the 2011 Kansas Teacher of the Year last week. Chandler was awarded a $1,500 ethanol fuel grant on behalf of the Kansas Corn Commission (KCC) to help fund travel expenses throughout the year for appearances and speaking engagements.

The Kansas Corn Commission has awarded an ethanol fuel grant to each Teacher of the Year since 2002. “The farmers who serve on the Kansas Corn Commission see a lot of value in providing the Teacher of the Year with ethanol blended fuels,” KCC Programs Manager Sue Hardman said. Hardman serves on the Teacher of the Year selection committee. “It is important that our educators understand the role farmers play in providing feed, food and fuel.”

Chandler has been a language arts teacher at Wamego Middle School for the past seven years. Prior to that, he spent a year as a seventh and eighth grade reading specialist at Fort Riley Middle School in the Geary County USD 475 school district.

The Teacher of the Year program has state and national competitions. The national program, sponsored by the ING Foundation and Target, is a project of the Council of Chief State School Officers, in partnership with the University of Phoenix Foundation and People to People Ambassador Programs. The Kansas program is sponsored by the Kansas State Department of Education.

Kansas Corn Joins American Ethanol NASCAR Partnership

The Kansas Corn Commission is a part of American Ethanol, a partnership with Growth Energy and NASCAR which includes the National Corn Growers Association and several state corn organizations. This new partnership was announced at an official NASCAR racing even in Las Vegas on Thursday. The announcement follows the racing organization’s announcement in October that all its races beginning in 2011 will be fueled with E15, a 15 percent ethanol blended fuel. Several ethanol supporters gathered to hear the announcement at a watch party in Wichita Thursday. Watch parties were held in several states to celebrate the NASCAR announcement.

Dave Vander Griend, president and CEO of Wichita-based ICM, Inc. told Wichita NASCAR watch party participants that the NASCAR partnership offers the ethanol industry an opportunity to promote ethanol as a high-performance, home-grown fuel.

The NASCAR partnership will help educate Americans about the value of corn ethanol for our nation’s economy and energy security, according to Kansas Corn Commission Chairman Mike Brzon of Courtland.

“The Kansas Corn Commission saw this as a great opportunity to reach millions of people with a positive message about the value of ethanol as a high quality fuel made from the grains grown by American farmers,” Brzon said.

As part of the multi-year agreement, America Ethanol will be highlighted on every vehicle running in a NASCAR race and be prominent on NASCAR’s Green Flag. In addition, American Ethanol will sponsor a new award for every race, be featured on-site at race day events and more. American Ethanol will support drivers, teams and tracks with marketing, promotional activities and advertising.

“NASCAR and American Ethanol are ideal partners,” said NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France. “NASCAR is a great American sport in its third generation of family ownership, and ethanol is produced from the harvest of family-owned farms across our country’s heartland.”

Led by Growth Energy, nearly 100 different entities – from individual ethanol plants to NCGA to biotech companies – are rallying around NASCAR to communicate their ethanol message.

The Kansas Corn Commission invests the half-cent per bushel corn checkoff in the areas of research, market development, promotion and education. For more information on the Kansas Corn Commission, visit www.ksgrains.com. For more information on the American Ethanol partnership, visit www.americanethanolracing.com.

10-19-10-- Kansas Corn Farmers Zip Through Harvest, Bringing in Second Largest Crop in History

Dry weather has allowed Kansas farmers have harvested 89 percent of the state’s corn crop, well above the five year average of 67 percent, according to Monday’s Crop Progress report by the Kansas Agricultural Statistics Service. At this time last year, the Kansas corn crop was only 43 percent harvested. The 2009 harvest was hampered by wet weather. Last year, Kansas farmers didn’t have 89 percent of the crop harvested until Nov. 30.

“Last year, it seemed our harvest would never end. Many of our growers were in the fields on Thanksgiving Day and were concerned they might spend Christmas on a combine as well,” according to Kansas Corn Commission Director of Communications Sue Schulte.

According to the report, harvest is basically completed in four of the state’s nine crop reporting regions. East Central Kansas is 92 percent complete; Southwest Kansas is 95 percent complete; Central Kansas is 98 percent complete and Southeast and South Central Kansas are both 99 percent complete. The areas with the most corn still in the field are Northwest and North Central Kansas with 77 and 78 percent respectively.

Kansas Ag Statistics November crop production report estimated the Kansas corn crop at 585 million bushels. This would be the second largest crop in history. In 2009, Kansas harvested a record 598 million bushels. The November report is the last crop estimate until the final report is issued in January.

“Many of our growers have told us their yields are not as good as last year, which was a record year for yield at 155 bushels per acre. This year, KASS has estimated the Kansas yield at 130 bushels per acre on 4.8 million acres, the highest acreage since 1936,” Schulte said. “However, we won’t know final crop production numbers until the January report.”

Even with lower yields, Kansas growers managed to produce the second largest crop in history. The US crop is now pegged to be the third largest crop in history with a projected surplus of about 1 billion bushels, proving that growers are able to provide ample supply for all their customers. For the first time, distillers grains, a coproduct of ethanol production, will displace more than 1 billion bushels of corn in domestic livestock rations this marketing year, providing a high-quality, high-value feed product for livestock producers, both in the United States and abroad.

The dry fall weather has helped to speed along harvest, but has taken a toll on the state’s soil moisture.

“While we had too much rain last fall, I think most of our growers would agree that we could use some rain this fall,” Schulte said. “With fall harvest nearing completion and most of the Kansas wheat crop now planted, some nice soaking rains would be a great asset, boosting the wheat and building moisture in the ground for our spring planted crops as well.”

The Kansas Corn Commission invests the half-cent per bushel corn checkoff in the areas of research, market development, promotion and education. Learn more at www.ksgrains.com

9-8-10-- Corn and grain sorghum growers join state ag groups to offer hands-on ag education at Kansas State Fair

The Kansas Corn Growers Association, Kansas Corn Commission and the Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association will be teaching the public about agriculture at the Agriland exhibit at the Kansas State Fair. Agriland was built to engage the senses and stimulate the minds of children and adults alike with interactive activities that teach the importance of Kansas agriculture.

Kansas corn and grain sorghum growers will be on hand to answer questions at the Agriland exhibit on Friday, September 10th and Sunday, September 19. Agriland is located in the Pride of Kansas building and is open during the following times:
Friday, September 10 – 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Saturday, September 11 through Saturday, September 18 – 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Sunday, September 19 – 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Kansas Corn Growers Association board member Charles Foltz, Garnett has volunteered at Agriland for several years. “It is fun to watch the kids go through Agriland. They can sit in a combine cab, milk a cow, and learn about all kinds of Kansas agriculture,” Foltz said. “The new soil trailer will give kids and grownups a new perspective on agriculture from the ground up. “

School teachers will have the opportunity to sign up at Agriland for a chance to win one of five classroom presentations by the Kansas Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom. The presentations focus on teaching students where their food comes from. To be eligible to win, teachers must visit Agriland at the fair with their class.

Agriland features a variety of exhibits including a greenhouse, beef exhibit, a life-size milking cow, a food pyramid display and a soil tunnel provided by the Miami County Conservation District. Agriland also gives youth an opportunity to dig into buckets filled with grain and a tractor ride simulation to see how Kansas crops are harvested in the field.

Kansas Corn and Grain Sorghum work with the following groups to sponsor Agriland: Kansas Department of Agriculture; Kansas Beef Council; Kansas Dairy Association and Commission; Midwest Dairy Association; Kansas Wheat; Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission; Kansas Soybean Association and Commission; Kansas Cotton Association; Kansas Agriwomen; Kansas Sunflower Commission; and the Kansas Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom and Kansas FFA chapters.

The 2010 Kansas State Fair runs from September 10-19 in Hutchinson, KS. For more information on fair events, visit www.kansasstatefair.com.

6-11-10--Kansas Growers Participate in Corn Utilization Conference

4-28-10--Farmers Speak Out at the EPA: Atrazine is Safe, Effective, and Critical to Our Bottom Line
WASHINGTON (April 28, 2010) -- Farm groups traveled to Washington, D.C., on Tuesday to voice support for atrazine before the third in a series of hearings being held by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to re-review the critically-effective herbicide.

Among those testifying were Jere White, Chairman of the Triazine Network and director of the Kansas Corn Growers Association and Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association; Laura Knoth, the executive director of the Kentucky Corn Growers Association; and Richard Fawcett, of Fawcett Consulting, who shared his expertise in weed science and critical yield gains atrazine provides farmers.

Noting that atrazine has been more extensively studied than any other crop protection product and has continually been awarded a clean bill of health, Jere White commented that growers often ask him, “When is enough enough?”

It was only in 2006, after all, after an extensive 12-year review, that EPA concluded that the triazine herbicides, including atrazine, pose “no harm” to the general population, including women and infants. It wasn’t until “the New York Times and Huffington Post supplied their version of ‘peer review’ of an NRDC report to certain political appointees at EPA,” said White, that EPA hastily convened this un-necessary re-review.

White questioned whether this extraordinary break with standard EPA procedures violates FIFRA standards, and highlighted the enormous burden of material the independent scientists have been asked to digest in a relatively short period of time due to the compressed schedule. As White noted, “…though the average number of studies submitted for SAP review per session number around 15, EPA has generously provided you with 123.”

Given that scientific bodies around the world have determined that atrazine is safe to use, and extensive monitoring shows that levels in raw and finished water are steadily declining, White questioned the need for this EPA’s “politically driven second guessing.” He ended by expressing the hope that the high standards of scientific objectivity that enabled the EPA to register atrazine as safe in the past would continue to prevail at the agency.

Laura Knoth outlined the profoundly beneficial effects of atrazine to the environment, especially as a result of no-till and low-till agriculture. By 2008, Knoth noted, “atrazine was applied to 60 percent of conservation tillage and no-till corn acres.” Without such effective weed control, the result would be a massive increase in erosion, “estimated to be more than 300 billion pounds annually.” Sediment has been identified by both the USDA and by individual states as the leading source of water pollution in our nation today.
Atrazine-enabled no-till agriculture also reduces the use (and expense) of fossil fuels to power tractors for field cultivation and keeps crucial nutrients in the soil.

On top of the extraordinary environmental benefits, Richard Fawcett emphasized the critical importance of atrazine to farmers’ bottom line. Analysis of data from two different decades starting in the 80s and in the 90s, showed a very similar – and impressive – boost in yields in both eras. Average yield gains with atrazine from 1986 to 2005 in university field trials were 5.7 bushels per acre compared to alternative herbicides.

EPA itself has estimated that farming without atrazine would cost corn growers $28 an acre in reduced yields and higher costs for less effective substitutes.

The voice of the farm community was clear: atrazine is safe, it’s effective, it’s essential to the environment, and it’s critical to our bottom line. Sound science, sound economics, and sound environmental stewardship would all tell the EPA one thing – leave atrazine alone, so American farmers can get on with the business of feeding the world.

Atrazine Brings Environmental Benefits to Kansas Corn Farms
Many farmers spent Earth Day in the fields planting corn. Kansas Corn Commissioner Ken McCauley, White Cloud, said his family has made good progress planting corn this spring. McCauley uses no-till farming methods on his family farm. Atrazine makes those environmentally friendly methods possible.

“Without atrazine, our ability to use no-till methods would be severely hampered,” McCauley said. “Atrazine has played a big role in our success with no-till farming because it works so well in with other crop protection tools.”

McCauley explained that small amounts of atrazine help to make his crop protection tools more effective, and that allows him to apply less herbicides overall. He said atrazine is also important because it has a different “mode of action” that helps keeps weeds from becoming resistant to herbicides. Without effective weed control, no-till farmers would have to resort to cultivation and other tillage practices.

According to the Conservation Tillage Information Center, atrazine was applied to more than 60 percent of conservation tillage and no-till corn acres in 2008. No-till farming practices reduce soil erosion by up to 90 percent.

Atrazine-enabled no-till agriculture provides major environmental benefits:

· Preventing soil erosion: No-till agriculture dramatically lessens the loss of soil and its nutrients, and prevents the kind of soil run-off that clogs streams and waterways.

· Preventing erosion protects aquatic ecosystems and preserves water quality.

· No-till agriculture reduces soil erosion by as much as 90 percent when compared to intensive tillage .

· United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) ranks sediment runoff as the number one pollutant in our nation’s waterways.

· Conserving water: Because crop residue from previous harvests (stalks, husks, etc.) is left on the ground, and the soil is not plowed up, evaporation is limited and more water stays in the soil.

· Cutting fuel costs to famers: Less plowing means lower production costs and reduced emissions because of fewer equipment trips across the field.

· Reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions: the constant plowing up of agricultural land required by old-style agriculture to control weeds results in the massive release of CO2 into the atmosphere from decomposing organic matter in the soil. No-till keeps that CO2 trapped in the ground. Switching to no-till promotes the storage of about 600 pounds of carbon in an acre of soil each year, according to research done at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

· Because of its vital role in weed control and popularity in more than 60 countries around the world, atrazine has been carefully studied for years. World-renowned institutions including the World Health Organization, the National Cancer Institute and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) all have studied atrazine and found no health concerns when used as directed.

The Kansas Corn Growers Association represents growers in regulatory and legislative issues. For more information on KCGA, visit www.ksgrains.com.

Kansas Corn and Sorghum Partake in Earth Day Festivities
In celebration of Earth Day, over 2,000 students from across the state will receive educational materials from the Kansas Corn Growers Association (KCGA) and Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association (KGSPA).

Earth Day, celebrated April 22, is an excellent time to salute farmers. “Corn and sorghum growers are full-time environmentalists. They celebrate Earth Day everyday because they are dependent on water and soil, which is vital to their livelihood,” said KCGA and KGSPA’s communication specialist, DeEtta Bohling.

KCGA and KGSPA corresponded with several organizations across Kansas, requesting presentations and materials for area Earth Day celebrations for school-aged children.

Presentations by KCGA and KGSPA will take place in conjunction with Neosho County Farm Bureau on April 22 and with Riley County Farm Bureau on April 28.

“We greatly appreciate the opportunity to stress the importance of agriculture and Earth Day to America’s future with the cooperation and support of schools, parents, Ag in the Classroom, and the farm bureaus,” said Bohling.

The KCGA and KGSPA are happy to provide materials for educational purposes. Teacher’s materials and additional information on Kansas corn and sorghum can be found at www.ksgrains.com.

4-9-10--Kansas Corn Farmers Remember Dust Bowl Lessons As State Commemorates Black Sunday
The Kansas Senate recently passed a resolution commemorating the 75th anniversary of Black Sunday, the date of the historic dust-bowl era dust storm. Kansas corn producers remember the lessons learned in the 1930s and improved conservation and farming practices ward off the chance of another Black Sunday. Kansas Corn Growers Association Communications Director Sue Schulte said many Kansans have heard Dust Bowl stories.

“Growing up in southwest Kansas, I remember hearing many Dust Bowl stories. My best friend’s mother told us the story of her birthday party in the back yard. Her birthday cake with pretty white frosting was on a table. When the dust storm blew up, they ran into the house without the cake. When the storm subsided, she retrieved her cake from the back yard, black with dust.”

While dust storms are still an occasional occurrence in Kansas, soil conservation measures and improved cropping and farming practices ensure that Kansas won’t return to the Dust Bowl days.

“Like the Dust Bowl stories that are passed down through generations of Kansas families, Kansas farmers also remember the lessons learned in the 1930s,” Schulte said.

Kansas crop production was much different in 1935. In 1935, Kansas farmers planted 22.8 million acres to corn, wheat, sorghum and soybeans. Yields for all four crops were below 10 bushels per acre. Total crop production for those four crops was 91.4 million bushels. In 2009, Kansas farmers planted 19.8 million acres of corn, wheat, sorghum and soybeans, and harvested 1.35 billion bushels.

“It isn’t fair to compare the growing seasons of 1935 and 2009, but it interesting to see the contrasts,” Schulte said. “With the Dust Bowl and drought, Kansas growers certainly had a difficult year in 1935. While the drought and dust storms decimated crops in 1935, the dramatic increase in crop production today has much to with improved seeds, technology and farming practices.”

The Kansas Senate resolution was introduced by Senator David Haley of Kansas City, whose father, a college-level agriculture teacher, in his classes referred to the Kansas Dust Bowl as an example of survival and perseverance.

The resolution states: “…we remember April 14, 1935, known as “Black Sunday”, and commemorate the 75th anniversary of this tragic event, which had a significant impact on the State of Kansas and forever changed the way farmers work the land; and that we salute the intestinal fortitude of those Kansas farmers and families who withstood this unprecedented devastating force of nature, vividly described as being near plague proportion, and vow not now nor ever to allow the people of Kansas to be compelled to forget our fellow Kansans’ sacrifices.”
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3-31-10--Kansas Corn Up, Sorghum Steady in Planting Report
Kansas growers intend to plant a combined 7.4 million acres of corn and sorghum this year, according to this week's USDA Prospective Plantings report. The report showed an increase in corn and soybean acres, no change in sorghum acres and a decrease in wheat acres in Kansas for 2010.

Kansas corn growers intend to plant 4.70 million acres this year, up 15 percent from 2009. If this projection is correct, 2010 will be the largest area planted to corn in Kansas since 1936. Kansas corn yields in the 1930s were less than 20 bushels per acre. Kansas joins Illinois, Missouri and Ohio in expected acreage increases of 300,000 or more.

Corn acres across the U.S. are expected to reach 88.8 million acres in 2010, up 3 percent from last year. The largest decreases are expected in Iowa, down 200,000 acres, and Texas, down 150,000 acres.

Kansas sorghum acres intend on hitting 2.70 million acres, which is the same as in 2009. Sorghum area to be planted is estimated at 6.36 million acres, down 4 percent from last year. The largest decline is expected in Texas, where growers plan to plant 300,000 fewer acres than last year.

“This projection tells us that there continues to be a high demand for feedgrains and that our growers are committed to meeting the needs of the livestock and ethanol industries. Thanks to improved crop genetics and better farming practices, Kansas growers are looking forward to continuing a trend of higher yields; producing more with less,” says Jere White, executive director for the Kansas Corn Growers Association and Kansas Sorghum Producers Association.

Soybean planted acreage is expected to reach 4.10 million acres, up 11 percent from 2010. If this projection is correct, this will be the largest soybean acreage in Kansas history. Kansas, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota are all projected to have acreage increases of 100,000 or more.

Wheat is expected to be down 8 percent from 2009, when acres totaled 8.6 million. The U.S. 2010 winter wheat planted area is estimated at 37.7 million acres, down 13 percent from 2009 but up 2 percent from the Winter Wheat Seedings report. This is the lowest United States total since 1970. Of the 2010 total acreage, about 28.3 million acres are Hard Red Winter, 6.0 million acres are Soft Red Winter and 3.4 million acres are White Winter.

Overall, Kansas growers expect to plant 20.1 million acres to the four major crops—corn, sorghum, wheat, and soybeans.

The acreage estimates in the “Prospective Plantings” report are based primarily on surveys conducted during the first two weeks of March. The March Agricultural Survey is a probability survey that includes a sample of approximately 86,000 farm operators selected from a list of producers that ensures all operations in the United States have a chance to be selected. Sampling errors for major crops are generally between 1.0 and 3.0 percent. To see the full “Prospective Plantings” report visit http://www.nass.usda.gov.

Kansas Corn Commission, USMEF Ink Agreement with Hilton Restaurants for Classic U.S. Beef Burger in Europe
By Sue Schulte
Representatives of the Kansas Corn Commission, the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) and Amsterdam-based importer Nice to Meat finalized an agreement Tuesday with Hilton Hotels for the launching of a premium U.S. beef burger. The U.S. burger will be featured at more than 120 Hilton Hotel restaurants across Europe, thanks in part to promotional support from Kansas corn producers.

3-15-2010--Kansas Grower Sees Grain Export Opportunities, Obstacles on USGC Mission
By DeEtta Bohling
Kansas Corn Commissioner Terry Vinduska recently learned first-hand about opportunities and obstacles to building grain export markets to Colombia, Panama and the Dominica Republic. Vinduska, a Marion, Kan. farmer who is Vice Chairman of the US Grains Council (USGC), returned this week from traveling to the Dominican Republic, Colombia, Panama as a part of the USGC Board and Officers mission.

“The purpose of visiting the Dominican Republic and Colombia was to show market presence and that we are a reliable supplier, along with increasing market share,” Vinduska said

In Colombia, the Grains Council had the opportunity to meet with the U.S. Ambassador for Colombia. Vinduska said the U.S. is missing out on significant exports to Colombia and other Central American countries because of the lack of a trade agreement.

“The Ambassador briefed us on U.S./Colombian trade. There is a great deal of potential here, but the U.S. hasn’t signed the trade agreement,” said Vinduska.
“We must do all we can in order to get that passed. We lose five million dollars a year with Colombia because we have no trade agreement. That’s huge. Colombia wants to trade with us because we can provide grain cheaper than our competitors because we are closer.”

The U.S. Grains Council visited a variety of places in the Dominican Republic including Port Rio Haina Feed Plant, the largest poultry producer in the country. They recently built a new feed mill in order to double production and began using DDGS six months ago. The group also toured CND Brewery. This family owned brewery is the largest in the Dominican Republic and uses 100% U.S. barley and corn grits.

The Council’s time in Panama was directed towards Canal Authority. They discussed projections for the future and plans for the new canal with Mr. Alberto Aleman Zubieta, Panama Canal Authority general administrator.

The U.S. Grains Council Latin America and Caribbean Regional office had an official opening of the Council’s newest international office in Panama City.

“The failure of the United States to ratify pending free trade agreements in the area has caused a significant loss in grain business and trade. It also has had a consequential effect on the economic development of our friends and allies in the Latin American region,” said chairman, Rick Fruth. “By establishing an office in Latin America and the Caribbean region, the Council is strategically positioning itself to defend U.S. markets while simultaneously enhancing the quality of life of our trading partners.”

Kurt Shultz is the director of the Panama City office. Shultz has worked for the Council since 1999 and previously served for seven years as USGC regional director for the Mediterranean and Africa before transitioning to his current post. In its first year of operation, the Latin America and Caribbean Region office will focus on the needs of each country, in order to extract greater value for U.S. producers.

“The United States has a significant tariff disadvantage in these countries. It is a top priority of the Council to level the playing field of the market in order to obtain greater U.S. market access,” said Shultz.

The Kansas Corn Commission is a grower board that determines how the half-cent per bushel corn checkoff is invested in the areas of market development, research, promotion and education. For more information, visit www.ksgrains.com

3-11-10--Kansas Corn Growers Attend 2010 Commodity Classic
Ethanol blends, export markets, climate change legislation, image and advocacy were among the many topics discussed amongst corn growers attending the 2010 Commodity Classic.

Kansas Corn Growers Association members and staff joined over 4,000 of the country’s top corn, soybean, wheat, and sorghum producers and representatives from leading agribusinesses at the Commodity Classic in Anaheim, Calif.

Various speakers were invited to engage the growers at the Commodity Classic General Session, including Agricultural Economist, Jay Lehr and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack.

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack spoke to growers on his respect and appreciation for farmers and his desire to revitalize rural America.

“I believe rural America is the heart and the soul and the guts of America. And, I believe that we have to start paying real attention to our farm families and to those who live in rural America if we want to preserve that value system,” he said.

Vilsack also addressed biotechnology and went on to explain that “We need to focus on the need for expansion and a better understanding of biotechnology, and a greater acceptance of biotechnology. The reality in the world today is that the population of the world continues to grow, and the amount of land available to produce farm products to raise food and fiber and fuel continues to shrink as communities expand and develop around the world. We have got to use science in a significant and important way to increase productivity. Biotechnology has that opportunity.”

Lehr passionately urged Commodity Classic General Session attendees to become strong advocates for agriculture in the face of ongoing attacks from groups such as the Humane Society of the United States, the Environmental Defense Fund and many others.

Lehr urged growers to take proactive steps such as hosting an open house on their farms during the summer, utilizing social media such as Facebook and Twitter and responding directly to inaccurate media reports through phone calls or letters.

National Corn Growers Association President, Darrin Ihnen, of Hurley, S.D., spoke on the utilization of higher ethanol blends and ensuring climate change legislation does not place U.S. agriculture at a disadvantage.

In addition, corn grower delegates from Kansas and other corn-growing states participated in two sessions of Corn Congress, the delegate session that determines the policy that guides the National Corn Growers Association.

KCGA participants included Charles Foltz of Garnett, Ken McCauley of White Cloud, Roger Pine of Lawrence, Pat Ross of Lawrence, John Tibbits of Minneapolis, Bob Timmons of Fredonia, and Terry Vinduska of Marion.

The 2010 Commodity Classic provided a valuable 4-day forum for growers to promote agriculture by bringing both producers and media together. Throughout the event, Kansas growers played a key role in discussing efforts to promote positive images of the corn industry while advocating for public policy that provides and maintains opportunities for growers.

2-15-10--Kansas Corn and Sorghum Join in Social Networking

By DeEtta Bohling, KCGA/KGSPA Communications Specialist
Agriculture has found a place within social media. The Kansas Corn Growers Association (KCGA) and the Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association (KGSPA) join thousands of people discussing agriculture each day.

2009 was a year of change and growth for social media sites. According to Computerworld Magazine, Facebook has more visitors than any other social networking site. Facebook finished 2009 with 112 million visitors and Twitter finished the year with 20 million visitors, up from just 2 million in 2008.

“When we are posting on social media sites, we don’t just talk about grains. We also work to support our customers, like livestock and biofuels, as well as products our farmers rely upon, like the herbicide atrazine. Agriculture is often under attack on social media sites and it’s up to us to share accurate information,” according to Sue Schulte, director of communications for KCGA and KGSPA.

Ag media, associations, farm organizations, agri-businesses, farmers, and consumers are discussing and learning from each other. Tom Tibbits, a farmer from Minneapolis, Kansas, shares his knowledge and experiences through Facebook, Twitter, and his blog.

“Social media is a tool to connect with both farmers and non farmers. We can have conversations our farms and farming practices and reassure people that we are good stewards of the land and natural resources while providing safe food,” says Tibbits.

Tibbits tells farmers to “Talk about your farm. Let your defenses down when asked a hot button topic such as antibiotic use in livestock or biotech crops. People want to learn more about them.” Tibbits’ blog can be found at http://farmertimes.blogspot.com/

“Social media sites are an innovative way to communicate with the world. If farmers don’t tell their story now, activist groups will. People now turn to social media to gain information and form opinions. As farmers, I encourage you to take a little time to create an online presence. This is a business decision—a decision to help protect your livelihood,” says DeEtta Bohling, KCGA and KGSPA communications specialist.

Visit www.ksgrains.com for more information on how the Kansas Corn Growers Association and Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers use social media.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Sue Schulte
Date: 1/21/10 Phone: 785-448-6922

1-21-10--AGRICULTURE GROUPS DEFEND ATRAZINE AGAINST AGENDA-DRIVEN ATTACKS
53 groups representing tens of thousands of farmers in nearly every state and commodity call for decisions based on science, not politics

Washington, D.C. – A broad coalition of agriculture groups have written to Lisa Jackson, Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, in defense of the herbicide atrazine, which has become the target of a coordinated attack by environmental groups seeking to eliminate its use. See copy of the letter to the EPA here: http://www.ksgrains.com/corn/Lisa%20Jackson%20Agriculture%20Letter%201-15-2010.pdf). Atrazine, a critical tool in growing crops as diverse as corn, sorghum, sugar cane, and citrus, has been used safely in over 60 countries for 50 years.

The EPA will begin a re-re-evaluation of atrazine as part of a series of Scientific Advisory Panels, which will begin on February 2nd. Recent media events by agenda-driven organizations such as the Natural Resources Defense Council, Land Stewardship Project and Pesticide Action Network North America suggest a coordinated campaign to call atrazine’s safety into question and politicize what should be a scientific process. In fact, in an unprecedented move, the EPA itself identified NRDC material as part of its justification to launch the new review.

“We want to set the record straight on the agriculture community’s broad support of this very effective herbicide that has been used by farmers for more than 50 years,” said Jere White, executive director of the Kansas corn and grain sorghum growers associations. “Atrazine is used on more than one-half of all U.S. corn and two-thirds of sorghum. It is one of the primary elements that make American agriculture so phenomenally productive. Every EPA Administration since the EPA was founded – Republican and Democrat – has endorsed atrazine’s safety and that is why we join together to pledge our support and confidence in this product.”

“Atrazine is the foundation for weed control programs in Florida sugarcane and has withstood thorough scientific testing in the U.S. and around the world,” said James M. Shine, Jr., Agriculture Division Vice President for Sugar Cane Growers Cooperative of Florida. “Extensive research conducted by scientists inside and outside the government have weighed all the data and concluded that it is safe for the environment, human health, and crop protection. Our communities should feel confident that rigorous science has determined its safety.” It is estimated that atrazine is used in 90 percent of U.S. sugar cane production.

"The use of atrazine and the triazine family herbicides in citrus production have dramatically reduced the need for cultivation and water applications, provided protection against freeze damage, and created a better quality product," said Joel Nelsen, President of California Citrus Mutual.  "Their loss would have a devastating impact on our growers."

The coalition of agriculture groups will be actively involved in the EPA re-evaluation of atrazine and will insist that transparent, peer-reviewed science utilizing accepted practices govern regulatory decision-making.

For more information on this coalition or on atrazine, please contact Sue Schulte at sschulte@ksgrains.com or 785-448-6922.

Kansas Commodity Classic is Wednesday, Feb.3
at the Topeka Ramada Inn
Find out what is brewing at the state capitol, how national policies like climate change legislation will affect your farm, and gain a better understanding of the roles of state agencies in agriculture at the Kansas Commodity Classic in Topeka on Wednesday, February 3 at the Topeka Ramada Inn. This annual convention will bring together Kansas grain sorghum, corn and wheat growers for a high powered general session and luncheon. It starts at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 3 at the Topeka Ramada Inn, 420 SE 6th Avenue, Topeka. The program and lunch are free to growers.

“If you plan on growing grains in the next ten years, then you need to sit down with us and listen to Bill Hudson of ProExporter Network,”
according to KCGA Executive Director Jere White. “Bill is one of the best in explaining how public policy and other factors have shaped our markets. More importantly, he will explain how public policy in areas like ethanol and climate change will shape future markets for our grains.”

Kansas Senate President Steve Morris of Hugoton will open the event with welcoming comments at 9:30 a.m. Bill Hudson, founder of ProExporter Network will be the keynote speaker focusing on national policy issues, especially ethanol and climate issues that will affect agricultural markets. A state agency panel will feature Constantine Cotsoradis of the Kansas Department of Agriculture, Greg Foley of the State Conservation Commission and Earl Lewis of the Kansas Water Office.

“It is important to understand the roles of these state agencies and how the agencies interact with growers,” White said.

Acting Secretary of Agriculture Josh Svaty will speak at the Commodity Classic Luncheon.

“Secretary Svaty is a fifth generation farmer in Ellsworth County and is a very strong advocate for Kansas Agriculture,” White said. The lunch will wrap up the day’s events. In the afternoon, growers are encouraged to visit their state legislators.

Over 50 Ag Groups Call on EPA to Continue to Use Science, Not Politics in Atrazine Review
Jan. 15, 2010--Agricultural groups from Kansas and across the nation signed onto a letter to EPA clarifying growers’ support for atrazine. The letter was sent to EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson today. Earlier this month, environmental activist groups submitted a letter to EPA saying growers oppose the use of atrazine.

“It is truly disheartening when political agendas attempt to overturn scientific process,” the letter states. “Such is the case in the January 5th letter submitted to the EPA by a handful of special interest groups misrepresenting themselves as the voice of the agriculture community in an attempt to negate the overwhelming support and confidence in the herbicide atrazine and to gain media attention for themselves.”

Jere White, executive director of the Kansas corn and grain sorghum growers associations said farmers have been involved in EPA’s reviews of atrazine since the mid-1990s. The groups that signed the letter in support of atrazine represent a very large number of farmers and agricultural producers.

“Over 50 national, state, and local grower and agricultural groups signed on to this letter which reaffirms their support of the use of atrazine. These groups represent hundreds of thousands of farmers from Hawaii to Pennsylvania,” White said. “Many of these grower groups have been involved in the EPA’s repeated studies and reviews of atrazine for more than 15 years. I don’t think the environmental activist groups understand that there are trade-offs. For example, removing atrazine would actually hinder many of our row crop farmers’ efforts to use conservation no-till and reduced-till practices. Without atrazine, many would have to return to tilling their land, increasing the risk of erosion and runoff.”

The groups signing the letter asked EPA to understand that the majority of farmers support the use of atrazine and asked EPA to use science, not politics, to arrive at a decision on the safety of atrazine.

The letter states: “Our growers have actively participated in the process and supported the safety and scientific approval of atrazine by the EPA over the last fifteen years and three White House Administrations. Mainstream agriculture has participated in every Scientific Advisory Panel (SAP) concerning atrazine since the beginning of the Special Review in 1994. As stated clearly to the November 3, 2009 SAP, we strongly believe the scientific weight of evidence, based on EPA's own analysis for decades, shows atrazine to be both safe and effective and that it is the best kind of tool that farmers can have.

We are troubled by the activist forces that seem to be guiding the very intensive and urgent re-evaluation (actually a re-re-evaluation) of atrazine despite its recently completed re-registration, which provided for its continued safe use.

. . . The benefits of atrazine use to agriculture are well documented and part of existing EPA record. Recent efforts to downplay these benefits in the media are simply the wishes of activists who suggest they have better insight on producing abundant food, fuel and fiber from their comfortable desk than the farmer who has been doing it all his life. It should be noted that our farmers consider themselves the ultimate conservationists, for without the careful cultivation of their land...their own livelihoods are at risk.”

Read the Ag Groups' Letter to EPA Here

1-13-10--Corn Farmers Coalition Message Being Heard

Efforts by the Kansas Corn Growers Association and other corn grower groups to educate Washington policy-makers on farmer’s advances and innovation received special recognition from the National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA) at the Region II Best of NAMA awards program.

NAMA recognized Kansas Corn Growers Association, a partner in the Corn Farmers Coalition, with a first place for excellence in the Public Affairs/ Issues Management Program category. KCGA also received a first place in the best Radio Series category for educational radio messages played in a dozen states including Kansas.

“Americans are the most productive corn farmers in the world, growing five times more than we did in the 1930s on 20 percent less land. Thanks to amazing innovations, the corn we can grow on each acre will double again in only 25 years. Decision leaders and consumers need to be aware of these advances as we make critical decisions touching on our nation’s largest industry,” said KCGA President, Brian Baalman.

CFC, an alliance of corn farmers from 10 states and the National Corn Growers Association, formed in 2008 to educate policy-makers in Washington about how tech-savvy, innovative farmers are growing more corn every year - for food, animal feed, ethanol and exports - while using fewer resources and protecting the environment.

"The Kansas Corn Growers Association works hard to tell our story and strengthen the bond between farmers and our customers so it is a real honor for us, CFC and the NCGA to be recognized by the largest professional association for professionals in the agri-marketing business,” said Sue Schulte, Communications Director of the KCGA .

1-12-10--Kansas Shatters Record with 2009 Harvest
The January Ag Statistics crop production report was released on Jan. 12 and pegged Kansas Corn production at 598 million bushels, smashing the record of 507 million bushels set in 2007. Yield was 155 bushels per acre, a record for Kansas, beating the previous record of 152 bu/acre set in 1996. US Corn was a record breaking 13.2 billion bushels, up 2 percent from the November 1 forecast, and 1 percent above the previous record of 13.0 billion bushels set in 2007. U.S. grain yield is also estimated at a record level for 2009, at 165.2 bushels per acre. This is up 2.3 bushels from the November forecast and 4.9 bushels above the previous record of 160.3 bushels per acre set in 2004.

12-22-10--Kansas Corn Growers Produce Outstanding Yields
National Corn Growers Yield Contest Results
Kansas growers may have not received national honors in the 2009 National Corn Yield Contest, but they have much to be proud of. In the contest, sponsored by the National Corn Growers Association, Kansas produced record yields compared to past years. Kansas beat the yield of 296, set in 2008, with a whopping 315 bushels per acre.

The combined average yield of the Kansas winners was 271 bushels per acre compared to 261 bushels in 2008. The highest irrigated yield from Kansas belonged to Merl Rexford of Meade, who had a yield of 315.4 bushels per acre in the irrigated division. The highest non-irrigated yield was from Hugh C. Kinsey of Troy who had a yield of 282.2 bushels per acre in the non-irrigated division.

The national and state contest winners will be honored at the 2010 Commodity Classic to be held in Anaheim, California, March 4-6. The Kansas winners of the National Corn Yield Contest are listed below.

Non-Irrigated
1. Hugh C. Kinsey of Troy planted Pioneer 33D49 for 282.2 bushels per acre
2. Corey Franken of Troy planted Pioneer 33D49 for 278.0 bushels per acre
3. Dean Sudbeck of Seneca planted DEKALB DKC63-42 for 257.9 bushels per acre

No Till/Strip Till Non-Irrigated
1. Jeff Koelzer of Onaga planted DEKALB DKC63-42 for 279.7 bushels per acre
2. Justin Urban of Clay Center planted Pioneer 33D49 for 278.1 bushels per acre
* Hugh C. Kinsey of Troy planted Pioneer 33D49 for 276.2 bushels per acre (awarded in the Non-Irrigated category)
3. Joe Elias of Atchison planted DEKALB DKC63-42 for 266.9 bushels per acre

No Till/Strip Till Irrigated
1. Brett Oelke of Hoxie planted Pioneer 35K03 for 288.7 bushels per acre
2. Danny Koehn of Montezuma planted Pioneer 33P84 for 288.3 bushels per acre
3. Todd M. Cyr of Clyde planted Pioneer 32B34 for 285.7 bushels per acre

Ridge Till Non-Irrigated
1. Jimmy R. Elder of Linwood planted Pioneer 33K44 for 206.6 bushels per acre
2. LeRoy R. Elder of Linwood planted Pioneer 33D49 for 200.3 bushels per acre

Ridge Till Irrigated
1. Faye Cyr of Clyde planted Pioneer 32B34 for 287.8 bushels per acre
2. Ron Jacobson of Concordia planted Pioneer 32B34 for 276.9 bushels per acre
3. Roger Johnson of Hoxie planted Pioneer 33D47 for 268.9 bushels per acre

Irrigated
1. Merl Rexford of Meade planted Pioneer 33D47 for 315.4 bushels per acre
2. Damion Cyr of Clyde planted Pioneer 32B34 for 279.1 bushels per acre
3. DML Farms LLC in Belle Plaine planted DEKALB DKC64-79 for 267.1 bushels per acre.

12-8-09--Kansas Corn Commissioner Participates in Corn Mission to Morocco, Egypt and Jordan
GARNETT, Kansas (December 7, 2009)- Kansas Corn Commissioner, Bob Timmons, of Fredonia, KS is one of six corn growers traveling Morocco, Egypt and Jordan for the U.S. Grains Council 2009 Corn Mission. The group has already toured a cattle feedlot, poultry operation and shipping port, and has also met with government and agricultural representatives.

The U.S. Grains Council Corn Mission allows for growers and grain buyers to have face-to-face open discussions about U.S. corn.

When Timmons was asked about the expectations he had for the corn mission, he responded by saying, “I am pretty excited about this mission. We support the Grains Council through the Kansas Corn Commission and it is interesting to see how the Council is building markets for our corn.”

The group is now in Egypt, where the US Grains Council has been active in promoting the use of corn and the ethanol coproduct distillers grains not only in beef, but also the growing water buffalo industry. The Council has worked closely with Egyptian water buffalo producers for several years to help develop this rapidly growing industry and encouraging the use of U.S. corn as well as distillers grains (DDGS), a coproduct of ethanol production.

Chuck Zimmerman of ZimmComm New Media is also on the trade mission and was impressed with a visit to the water buffalo feedlot and dairy operated by Dr. Saad Alhayani, chairman of the Egyptian Buffalo Producers Association.

“He’s raising thousands of buffalo and feeding them corn and DDGS as well as other ingredients,” Zimmerman said. “We saw lots of bags of DDGS at his feedlot. That looked very positive for American corn growers!”

The group visited with government officials, poultry farms and port facilities in Morocco. When leaving Morocco, Joe Zenz, a Wisconsin corn grower said he sees great potential in the Morocco market, but he thinks producers still have a lot to learn about production and the USGC is playing a key role in providing educational resources.

Zimmerman is blogging about the U.S. Grains Council 2009 Corn Mission. You can read more about this corn mission at www.thegrainboard.com and the ZimmComm blog at www.agwired.com.

12-1-09--Kansas Growers Must Wait for EPA’s Science-Based Decision on Ethanol Waiver
The Environmental Protection Agency announced today a delay in its decision on the ethanol industry’s request for higher ethanol blends. A December 1 deadline had been set for EPA to announce its decision on the use of fuel blends up to 15 percent ethanol. The agency said it needed more time to complete scientific evaluation of the request and said a decision should be made by next spring.

In its response to the waiver request, EPA Assistant Administrator Gina McCarthy wrote that EPA recognizes higher ethanol blends are necessary to meet renewable fuel requirements and noted that EPA is beginning work to develop labeling for higher blends. She indicated that the ongoing studies have been positive.

“Although all of the studies have not been completed, our engineering assessment to date indicates that the robust fuel, engine and emissions control systems on newer vehicles (likely 2001 and newer model years) will likely be able to accommodate higher ethanol blends, such as E15,” McCarthy said.

Kansas Corn Growers Executive Director Jere White said the association supports EPA’s efforts to make a decision based on sound science. “When the ethanol industry asked EPA for the waiver, we said we had faith in EPA’s ability to conduct a science-based review of higher ethanol blends,” White said. “Today, the agency was honest in saying it needed more time to complete its research. The best outcome would be an interim decision to allow higher blends of ethanol that can be used in all vehicles, including those manufactured before 2001.”

The arbitrary 10 percent blend wall is a barrier not only to the growth of the grain based ethanol industry, but also inhibits the development of cellulosic ethanol.

“Without a robust grain ethanol industry, we won’t be able to develop cellulosic ethanol that holds so much promise. When you add cellulosic ethanol to the mix, we have the opportunity to take a major step dramatically reduce our dependence on foreign oil,” White said.

Growers are more than able to provide enough feedstock for both grain and cellulosic ethanol.

“Our growers have proven time and time again that they can provide enough grain to satisfy the needs of all our customers,” White said. “This year U.S. growers are harvesting a near record crop and Kansas will produce over 560 million bushels, shattering the previous record of 507 million bushels set in 2007. With improvements in production practices and crop genetics, our corn farmers will continue to produce an ample supply of corn for feed, fuel and food.”

The Kansas Corn Growers Association represents corn growers in legislative and regulatory issues. More information can be found at www.ksgrains.com

11-6-09--Kansas Corn, Sorghum Groups Boost Outreach Efforts with New Staff Member
GARNETT, Kansas (Nov. 6, 2009)- DeEtta Bohling from Greenfield, Iowa recently joined the Kansas Corn Growers Association and Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association as Communications and Marketing Associate. The associations represent Kansas sorghum and corn producers in legislative and regulatory issues.

“Our goal was to find a person who could help us beef up our communications efforts while boosting our association’s internet presence, especially in social media,” according to KCGA/KGSPA Director of Communications Sue Schulte. “DeEtta is a great fit and brings a lot of enthusiasm and knowledge in these areas.”

Bohling is a 2009 graduate from Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa. Here she received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Arts with an emphasis in Public Relations. She received a minor in Business Administration and a Leadership Education Program certificate.

Bohling has been an active member of 4-H, FFA, Adair County Youth Action Committee, Friends of the Library, Wartburg College Student Senate, Entertainment ToKnight, the Volunteer Action Center, Tower Agency Public Relations, Wartburg Television, and served as an ambassador for Wartburg College.

In 2003, Bohling received the Iowa Governor’s Youth Leadership Award. In 2004 she was inducted into the Iowa Volunteer Hall of Fame and in 2007 she was awarded with a Wartburg College Nobility Award for her service and leadership.

Before joining the Kansas corn and sorghum associations, Bohling was the Marketing and Social Networking intern for the Iowa 4-H Foundation in Ames, Iowa.
 

Comments on FIFRA SAP on Atrazine Review
Docket EPA-HQ-OPP-2009-0759-0001
November 3, 2009
Mr. Chairman, members of the committee, my name is Jere White. I am the executive director of the Kansas Corn Growers Association and Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association and also serve as chairman of the Triazine Network. My expenses to be here are covered by Kansas farmers.

The Triazine Network was formed in 1995 as a response by growers of over 30 commodities and from over forty states, to provide input to the US EPA special review of the triazine herbicides. Our objective is to ensure that EPA has and utilizes the best science. That's why we are here today. We have participated in every SAP concerning atrazine since the beginning of the Special Review in 1994. We believe the scientific weight of evidence shows atrazine to be both safe and effective and that is the best kind of tool that farmers can have.
Last month EPA announced their decision to pursue a very intensive and urgent reevaluation (actually a re-reevaluation) of atrazine, in disregard to it’s recently completed reregistration which provided for its continued safe use. It clearly appears the normal process which included internal review (i.e. data evaluation records) of new studies by EPA, and when deemed appropriate, a further review by its SAP, has been cast away. It seems now that the an NRDC seeded story in the New York Times is all the peer review needed in order to tee up a minimum of five SAPs in just over a year (four indicated in the FR Notice and a minimum of one additional in FY-2011 indicated in the Agency's stakeholder conference call).

The Agency describes this as a "kickoff" meeting which was certainly new terminology in my fifteen years of participation. This seems highly unusual. Perhaps even festive and goal oriented.

Some countries abandon science in their process and subscribe to a precautionary principal that puts at risk their own people. The benefits of atrazine to agriculture are well documented and part of existing EPA record. Recent efforts to downplay the benefits in the media are simply the wishes of activists who suggest they have better insight on producing abundant food, fuel and fiber from their comfortable desk than the farmer who has been doing it all his life. It should be noted that farmers have been some of the best early adopters.

The Triazine Network is disappointed that there appears to be a major departure in process at EPA in regards to the recently announced SAPs re-reassessing atrazine. However, we commit to engage all processes and all options in order to see a science based outcome continue during all Administrations and keep all those we represent and all that represent us informed of the progress.

10-23-09--Kansas Grower Groups Respond to CSI: Miami's Error Laden Anti-Agriculture Episode

In a letter to the General Manager of WIBW TV, a CBS affiliate, Kansas corn and grain sorghum groups expressed concern over the "Bad Seed" episode of CSI: Miami, which aired on October 19. The show attacked almost all segments of agriculture and was filled with misinformation and fear tactics.

Jim Ogle
General Manager
WIBW TV
Topeka, KS

Dear Jim,

On Monday, CBS aired a CSI Miami episode title "Bad Seed". It would have been more aptly titled "Bad Writing"!

I have been a huge fan of all CSI shows since day one. The usual combination of a plausible storyline with reasonable science is a mix I find entertaining and at times educational. This week's episode was neither. In fact it was a slap in the face to your rural constituents.

A key element of the storyline dealing with genetic modification of crops was completely off base. While a single gene is inserted into a seed, an entire organism is not. Every day, millions of people in the United States and around the world consume GM food. It's no less healthy or nutritious than non-GM food. We know this from years of experience as well as extensive scientific and regulatory testing.

Virtually every other scenario in the episode is exaggerated and improbable to the point of being ridiculous because of modern farm management and the checks and balances within our food production system. Our regulatory agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration, Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Agriculture have rigid standards regarding food production and safety which are the model for the world.

Seed companies spend millions of dollars and years of study developing, screening, testing and clearing regulatory hurdles for a single gene technology to assure its safety. And when they are successful in bringing a beneficial trait to the market, local TV Stations like WIBW take in thousands of dollars advertising it to farmers. At one point the show talked about "seed drift". There is no such thing.

Livestock producers are strictly regulated regarding the management of water and potential runoff from cattle feedlots, yet in one scene effluent from a feed yard was freely running out a large pipe and into a groundwater source. Of course, if you looked at the cattle, they were not even feeder cattle, but were cows and calves that would never be fattened in a feed lot. I doubt if there are many feedlots in Dade County, FL.
And yes, you can throw in the racial overtones of undocumented Hispanic farm workers and a poor African American farmer being victimized by the large corporate farmer, who of course was affluent and white.

Nearly all the corn farms (95%) in this country are family farming operations that bring generations of expertise to their farms which they intend to pass on to the next generation. Showing them in such an irresponsible manner is unfair and damaging to consumer confidence. Suggesting that "Big Farming" or food companies are amoral and willing to risk people's lives to advance their profits or even feed the masses is unthinkable and damaging to the hard earned trust farmers have earned from the consumer public.

This is truly an issue where stations like WIBW can and should weigh in to CBS. This episode was a disgrace and should not be aired again. And while the general public may tolerate inept storylines because of low expectations, we will not.
We have had a longstanding good relationship with WIBW. I look forward to your response.

Jere White, Executive Director
Kansas Corn Commission
Kansas Corn Growers Association
Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association
PO Box 446
Garnett, KS 66032

Oct. 1, 2009--Grower Leaders Voice Atrazine Support
Growers from Kansas and four other states left their combines this week to talk to leadership from Syngenta Crop Protection about the importance of atrazine to their farming operations. A roundtable meeting was held at the National Corn Growers Association office in Chesterfield, MO, followed by an informal meeting at the Keith Witt farm in Warrenton, MO.

While atrazine was successfully re-registered by EPA in 2006, recent attacks by environmental activists including the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) have brought the issue to the forefront. Trial attorneys also continue their efforts for legal action against the makers of atrazine.

Growers represented at the meeting included four past NCGA Presidents: Ron Litterer, Iowa; Ken McCauley, Kansas; Dee Vaughan, Texas and Fred Yoder, Ohio. Three past presidents of the National Sorghum Producers were present: Greg Shelor, Kansas; James Vorderstrasse, Nebraska, and Bill Kubecka, Texas.

Atrazine is used to help farmers grow crops in a way that protects the environment, especially with no-till practices, McCauley said. “Environmental activists would like you to believe that farmers don’t need atrazine, so we might as well get rid of it. Nothing could be further from the truth. Not only is it important to our growers’ bottom lines, it is vital to the practices we use to protect the environment,” McCauley said. “The NRDC says we can use another chemical, but ask NRDC what chemicals they do approve of.”

Southwest Kansas sorghum producer Greg Shelor told the group that his no-till practices would not be possible without atrazine. “I can’t no-till without atrazine,” he said. “With no-till there is not near the runoff and without no-till I will have 50 or 60 bushel sorghum instead of the 100 to 120 bushels I have now.”

Iowa grower Ron Litterer said many people don’t understand atrazine’s role in reducing rates of herbicides. “For me atrazine is an enhancer for weed control. Years ago, my dad used it as his sole product. Now we use much lower rates and have better weed control. As an enhancer, atrazine has allowed us to reduce the rates of other chemicals and has made them more effective.”

Atrazine allows Nebraska sorghum farmer James Vorderstrasse to use moisture conserving no-till practices on his farm. “There is no alternative to atrazine,” he said. “Every time you till the soil you lose an inch of moisture. Without atrazine, you’d have to till two or three times pre-plant plus cultivate a couple of times and that amounts to a loss of 5 inches of moisture.”

Ohio Grower Fred Yoder said atrazine has been important to his family farm for years. “I’m trying to remember if we have ever grown corn without atrazine. It’s been around such a long time. But does that mean we need to look at something else? I don’t think so,” he said.

Syngenta CEO Mike Mack and President of Crop Protection Valdemar Fischer participated in the roundtable discussion by phone. Travis Dickinson, Vice President of Marketing; Tim Pastoor, Principal Scientist; Steven Goldsmith Senior Communications Manager and Todd Barlow, State Government Relations Manager participated in a meeting with growers at the National Corn Growers Association offices in Chesterfield, MO. The Syngenta executives reaffirmed their commitment to defending the use of atrazine.

9-11-09--Kansas Growers Continue to Meet Customers Needs with Record 2009 Crop

Kansas corn producers are expected to harvest a record 518 million bushel corn crop this year as part of the nation’s 13 billion harvest. The projected US harvest will just about tie the record 2007 harvest of 13.1 billion bushels. Farmers continue to prove they can meet the needs of their customers, according to Kansas Corn Growers Association Executive Director Jere White.

“What is interesting is that in 2008, the year of the so-called corn shortage, we produced 12.1 billion bushels which at the time was the second largest crop in history,” White said said. “So in the last three years, we are seeing the three largest corn crops in history in the United States.”

The 2009 U.S. corn crop is expected to have an average yield of 162 bushels per acre, a record yield. Kansas Corn Commission Chairman Mike Brzon of Courtland pointed out that farmers are using improved technology and growing practices to produce more corn per acre.

“I wish people would look at the great advances we have made in agriculture that allow us to grow more corn on fewer acres and at the same time substantially reduce our use of fertilizers and pesticides, and we’ve reduced erosion as well,” Brzon said. “We don’t seem to get credit for any of that.”

In 2008, many predicted a corn shortage, and some groups called for a stop in the use of corn for ethanol to prevent the shortage. Corn based ethanol was blamed for sharp spikes in consumer food prices. Markets joined the clamor, with speculators raising the price of corn near $8 per bushel for a short time in the summer of 2008. That fall, corn producers harvested the second largest crop in history, and ended the year with a significant corn carryover of 1.7 billion bushels.

“Many special interest groups have found that fear is the best weapon,” White said. “Last year, anti-ethanol groups used fear to attack corn producers and the ethanol industry blaming ethanol for a fictitious corn shortage. In the end, it was corn’s customers as well as consumers who were hurt by speculators who bought into the fear and elevated crop prices to record levels.”

Higher prices across the board were blamed on corn and ethanol last year. The AMC movie theater chain blamed an increase in ticket prices on higher popcorn costs.

“You can imagine the markup on popcorn at a movie theater when you pay more than $5 for a bag of popcorn. That was simply a bogus excuse,” White said. “But what concerns me is that while commodity prices dropped dramatically, consumer food prices have not dropped that much. Last year food prices increased 5.1 percent and food companies blamed corn and ethanol, while they pocketed record profits. They were in a hurry to raise the prices, but seem a little slower to lower them even at a time when consumers are suffering through a recession.”

The Kansas Corn Commission was one of several corn grower groups that created the Corn Farmers Coalition, a national effort to provide accurate information about corn farming. The Corn Farmers Coalition used information from credible sources like the US Department of Agriculture to make sure decision-makers in Washington, DC and others were well informed about today’s corn production.

“I don’t think people understand how much farming has changed especially in the last 10 years. Just like any business technology has made us so much more efficient,” Brzon said. “Last year we had floods in some isolated areas and people thought the corn crop was doomed. This year, we had late planting and a cool growing season in many areas. By overcoming these adversities with near record results, we are proving that our growers can provide a reliable supply of corn for all of our customers year after year.”

The Kansas Corn Commission is a nine member grower board that invests the half-cent per bushel corn checkoff in the areas of research, market development, education and promotion. For more information, visit www.ksgrains.com.

8-28-09--Even Without Clunker Program, Car Buyers Can Save with Flex Fuel Tax Credit

While the “Cash for Clunkers” program has ended, Kansas motorists can take advantage of a $750 tax credit when they buy a flexible fuel vehicle and use E85 ethanol fuel, Kansas Corn Commission Communications Director Sue Schulte said. The FFV option is available on many models of cars, SUVs and pickups. These vehicles are able to operate on any combination of gasoline and ethanol up to 85 percent ethanol (E85).

“Flex fuel vehicles are just that—flexible,” she said. “You can use pure gasoline, or up to 85 percent ethanol whenever you want. It simply gives you more choices at the pump.”

 The state’s E85 tax credit makes buying an FFV an even more attractive option. 

“Even without the Cash for Clunkers program, there are a lot of great incentives for new vehicles with low interest rates and good trade-in values. It’s easy to see why so many people are looking at buying a new vehicle. The state’s E85 tax credit has been around for quite a while and it’s important to remind consumers of this excellent incentive as well,” Schulte said. “A lot of new vehicles have a flex fuel option at no extra cost that allows you to use higher ethanol blends”

Under the state’s FFV tax credit program, the owner of a new FFV has two years in which to use 500 gallons of E85 to qualify for the $750 tax credit.

“With the $750 tax credit and the availability of E85 fuel in cities across the state, why wouldn’t you look into it? There is no downside to choosing a vehicle with the flex fuel option—it gives you more control over your fuel choices,” Schulte said. “Increasing the number of flex fuel vehicles in Kansas fits well with our goal of adding more blender pumps in Kansas and throughout the nation that can offer higher ethanol blends.”

The Kansas Corn Commission has joined several other corn producing states, the Renewable Fuels Association and the American Coalition for Ethanol to add ethanol blender pumps in key locations across the nation. Blender pumps offer E85 fuel as well as other mid-grade ethanol blends such as E20 and E40. Eleven plants currently produce 450 million gallons of fuel ethanol in Kansas providing jobs and economic stability to communities and providing a market for Kansas farmers.

“In a time when people are trying to buy local, why not buy local fuel? Ethanol is produced right here in Kansas with products from Kansas farms,” Schulte said. “With the E85 tax incentive and no added cost for the flex option, buying an FFV looks better than ever.”

Over 45 fuel retailers who sell higher blends of ethanol including E85 are located in cities across Kansas. F

Where to find E85 Fuel in Kansas

Information on the Kansas E85 Tax Credit

Kansas Growers Say Activist Groups Twist EPA Atrazine Data to Alarm Consumers
8-25-09--Three media events on August 23-24 highlighted activists’ efforts to raise public concern about the herbicide atrazine. The New York Times, Huffington Post and National Resources Defense Council all release reports about atrazine on Sunday and Monday. The stories were based on data from a monitoring program that Syngenta, the maker of atrazine, entered into with EPA in 2003. The Atrazine Monitoring Program (AMP) is an intensive monitoring program currently focusing on about 100 community water systems located primarily in the Midwest.

The Environmental Protection Agency’s maximum contaminant level (MCL) for atrazine at 3 parts per billion (ppb) based on an annual average in public drinking water. Atrazine is among a list of 87 drinking water contaminants routinely monitored by the EPA. Jere White, executive director of the Kansas Corn Growers Association and Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association said results of the two testing programs should not be used to confuse consumers.

“The focus of the AMP program is different than the normal water sampling that is done to determine the annual MCL for drinking water systems,” White said. “This study is focused on areas with higher atrazine usage—basically a closer look. The EPA set a guideline under this program of 37.5 ppb atrazine plus three metabolites (breakdown products) over a 90-day period as a benchmark for a level of concern.”

The activist groups used two sets of data to cause concern among consumers, White said.

“You can do anything with numbers. There are spikes, but those spikes were taken into consideration by EPA when the 3 parts per billion annual drinking water level for atrazine was set. That’s why it is an annual average and not a daily or weekly number. But to then take data from an entirely different program, and suggest that the levels were above the EPA’s MCL for atrazine is simply misleading.”

In its July 2009 update, EPA stated, “Through its review of this data, the Agency has confirmed that none of the systems have exceeded OPP's level of concern, a 90-day average of 37.5 parts per billion (ppb) of atrazine and its degradates. Concentrations below this 90-day average are considered to be safe.”

“If you look at the data, you see that atrazine levels in raw (untreated) water have decreased. Farmers are using practices that reduce the amount of runoff from fields, and that keeps chemicals out of surface water,” White said. “This is actually very good news, which has gone unreported.”

Atrazine is crucial to the success of no-till farming operations that have a wide range of environmental benefits. No-till is a practice that leaves crop residue, like corn stalks, in the field to cut down on soil erosion and runoff of fertilizers and farm chemicals.

“When you talk about soil conservation and reducing runoff, you have to talk about no-till farming practices,” White said. “This practice is making a real difference when it comes to conservation. But many growers say without residual weed control that atrazine offers, they would not be able to continue their no-till practices. Farmers have a good story to tell, producing more with less. For example, look at what corn producers have done in the last 10 years. For the same bushel of corn produced in 1987, today our land use is down 37 percent, soil loss is down 69 percent.”

For more information and background on this issue, visit this Atrazine Blog

8-12-09--Kansas Corn Commission Partners in Effort to Expand Ethanol Fueling Infrastructure

The Kansas Corn Commission is partnering with several corn states, National Corn Growers Association, the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) and the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) to install 5,000 blender pumps across the nation over the next three years. Consumers can enjoy more choices at the pump, gas station owners can experience product flexibility, and the nation can achieve its renewable fuels targets – all thanks to the blender pump and the wider distribution of E85 and mid-range ethanol blends. The program was announced at the 22nd Annual Ethanol Conference & Trade Show in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on August 11.

“This spring, corn grower groups from across the country asked the ethanol associations to work together to give us a proposal for a comprehensive effort to increase the market for ethanol by adding blender pumps to key areas across the nation,“ KCC Chairman Mike Brzon of Courtland said. “This effort goes well beyond just giving retailers money to add an ethanol pump. We will benefit from the expertise of ACE and RFA working together to provide technical and marketing assistance to fuel retailers to help them see the benefit to offering ethanol blends to their customers. They will also help them take advantage of existing state and federal incentives.”

The “Blend Your Own Ethanol” campaign, BYOethanol, will offer a single source of ethanol information and technical expertise for petroleum marketers looking to upgrade equipment or begin offering more choices to their customers. By serving as a central clearinghouse for renewable fuels infrastructure incentives, the “BYOethanol” campaign will bring blender pumps to key areas of the country, and from there they will spread as neighboring gas stations see the benefit and want to remain competitive.

Blender pumps are not new to the fuel industry, but are now finding new use with ethanol and E85. A blender pump features two underground tanks, typically one with unleaded and one with E85, and the dispenser blends the appropriate percentages of the two fuels to create any blend of ethanol from zero to 85 percent. Gas station owners benefit from product flexibility and by being ready for future renewable fuel blend levels, and consumers benefit by having new choices at the pump like E20 or E30 for their flexible fuel vehicles.

“This campaign will be successful because it works directly with petroleum marketers, not paying them to put in a blender pump, but explaining to them why it’s a good business decision, how it will benefit the station, and helping them access the state and federal incentives that exist,” said Ron Lamberty, Vice President / Market Development of the American Coalition for Ethanol. “If we present petroleum marketers with the facts about why this is a good business decision – and it is a good business decision – they will consider adding blender pumps to their stations. Now our job is to get this information out to as many of them as possible, and we’ve already begun doing that.”

Along with the National Corn Growers Association, several leading corn-producing states are participating in this program. At press time, states participating are the Kansas Corn Commission, the Kentucky Corn Promotion Council, the Missouri Corn Merchandising Council, the Nebraska Corn Board, and the South Dakota Corn Utilization Council, with several other states on the verge of joining this effort.

“Blender pumps are the best way to expand the reach of renewable fuels, and it’s time for a national campaign to get this infrastructure in the ground and get consumers the choices they deserve,” said Robert White, Director of Market Development for the Renewable Fuels Association. “No matter where their station is located, retailers will have a wide variety of options to increase their profit margin while lowering the cost for consumers. We are grateful to be working with the corn grower organizations and the American Coalition for Ethanol.”

The “BYOethanol” campaign will function as an expanded market development program of the two ethanol groups and will serve as the only one-stop source for all the technical, regulatory, safety, and environmental information petroleum marketers need about retailing ethanol blends. The program will feature extensive work at petroleum marketer events and a Web presence designed specifically for station owners to easily get the information they want.

The nearly 200 blender pump locations in the U.S. today can be seen on this map: www.tinyurl.com/ACEblenderpumpmap.

The Kansas Corn Commission is a nine-member grower board that determines how the half-cent per bushel corn checkoff is invested in the areas of market development, research, promotion and education. The commissioners are elected by growers in each of the state’s nine crop reporting districts. For more information, visit www.ksgrains.com or call 800-489-2676.

7-24-09--Kansas Grower Elected Vice Chairman of US Grains Council
Kansas corn producer Terry Vinduska of Marion, Kansas was elected vice chairman of the US Grains Council this week. Vinduska represents the Kansas Corn Commission on the Council. Vinduska served as US Grains Council treasurer during the 2008/2009 term. He has been on the USGC board of directors for six years.

Vinduska has been a strong proponent of the council’s efforts and continues to encourage work to build exports of corn.

“Informa Economics has determined that the return on investment for the Grains Council is $50 per every dollar that the corn commission invests,” Vinduska said. “So for every dollar our Kansas Corn Commission puts into the Grains Council, we get $50 worth of corn exports through the Council’s work. I think that is a phenomenal return on investment for our growers.” MORE

The 2009/2010 USGC officers are: Chairman Rick Fruth, Ohio Corn Marketing Program; Vice Chairman Terry Vinduska, Kansas Corn Commission; Treasurer Wendell Shauman, Illinois Corn Marketing Board; Secretary Don Fast, Montana Wheat and Barley Committee; and Past Chairman Jim Broten, North Dakota Barley Council. The U.S. Grains Council develops export markets for U.S. barley, corn, grain sorghum and related products. Founded in 1960, the Council is a private, non-profit corporation with nine international offices and programs in more than 50 countries.

The Kansas Corn Commission is a nine member grower board that invests the half-cent per bushel corn checkoff in the areas of research, market development, education and promotion. For more information, visit www.ksgrains.com.
 

3-25-09--Kansas Corn Commissioners Get Firsthand Look at Importance of Strong Asian Markets for US Beef

Assessing efforts to regain market share for U.S. beef in Japan and Korea was the focus of three Kansas corn commissioners in a recent trip with the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). Members of the Kansas Corn Commission have returned from Japan and South Korea where they observed the work of USMEF and the retail and foodservice performance of U.S. beef and pork products. These two countries are major importers of U.S. red meat.

Corn Commissioners Brian Baalman of Menlo, Ken McCauley of White Cloud, Bob Timmons of Fredonia, and KCC Executive Director Jere White were joined on the trip by USMEF Vice Chairman Keith Miller of Great Bend, and farm broadcaster Greg Akagi of the Kansas Agriculture Network. White said the Kansas Corn Commission is marking its 30th year of work with the US Meat Export Federation, and over that time, has invested over one million dollars in building red meat export markets through USMEF.

“A few years ago we surpassed one million dollars in funding to the USMEF which is a significant amount of dollars from a checkoff program that is relatively small in comparison to other corn states,” KCC Executive Director Jere White said. “We’ve made a commitment, and we wanted to highlight that relationship back to our friends in the livestock industry, and also to help educate ourselves. We were there with three commissioners that are making the funding decisions to give them an actual hands-on look at how their decisions are actually making a difference. We certainly saw that in our visits.”
 

In addition to meeting with key importers and distributors, team members visited the largest cold storage facility in Japan and were impressed to see the amount of U.S. beef currently entering the country. They were able to see chilled products arriving from several Kansas plants as well as many other plants across the United States.

McCauley, who represents northeast Kansas on the corn commission, said the success of Kansas corn farmers is directly tied to strong markets for Kansas and U.S. beef and pork.

“Japan is our biggest export customer. We need to keep in close contact and make sure our customers are happy,” McCauley said. “That’s what we’re here to do--not only to talk about the beef market but actually help them increase the pounds coming over here and that translates back home to more corn demand.”

USMEF has played a key role reopening beef export markets to Asian markets after a single case of BSE was found in the U.S. late 2003. Baalman, who represents northwest Kansas on the commission, said work needs to continue to rebuild those export markets for beef.

“It really affects the U.S. cattleman here today. The lost value is probably in the range of 100 to 150 a head of lost value in the Japanese market that could be re-attained if we can just get some cooperation between our two governments and I think we are just on the cusp of getting that to open up,” Baalman said. “To me it’s like turning the switch on—the value comes back to us as corn producers because livestock has always been our number one customer.”

McCauley said the stop in South Korea after visiting Japan illustrated how important it is for U.S. beef to regain a foothold in the Korean market.

“When you get into the grocery stores in Korea, it’s a very good selection, much more selection on products,” McCauley said. “It looked a lot like the U.S. stores but different products. We got the opportunity to see a lot of U.S. beef in the stores as well as a lot of Australian corn fed beef, which surprised me. I think our U.S. beef producers have some real bona fide competition from Austrailia.”

The Australian beef industry is also working to strengthen Korean markets for its product. Currently nearly Australian beef has a 65 percent market share, compared to 15 percent for U.S. beef in Korea. However, a majority of Korean consumers prefer U.S. beef.

It is important to for corn producers to understand the challenges and opportunities U.S. beef has in Japan and Korea, according to Timmons, who represents southeast Kansas on the commission

“We need to be able to understand the problems the beef industry has in getting their products sold. And Japan is a good example of a place that really wants our beef but there are the restrictions that have caused a lot of problems. For the corn commission, it has been important for us to fund the USMEF, and we’ve seen while we’ve been here they are doing a really good job. They have a good staff that’s promoting U.S. meat in Japan and Korea. The work they’re doing with the importers is a good thing for the beef industry as well as the corn industry.”

The Kansas Corn Commission is grower board that invests the half-cent per bushel corn checkoff in the areas of market development, research, promotion and education to increase the profitability of corn.
 

March 18, 2009--Kansas Corn Commission Leadership Reports in from Asia (USMEF Report)

Leaders of the Kansas Corn Commission (KCC) have arrived in Japan for an opportunity to observe the retail and foodservice performance of U.S. beef and pork products in this critical export market. Commissioners Brian Baalman of Menlo, Ken McCauley of White Cloud and Bob Timmons of Fredonia are joined on the trip by KCC Executive Director Jere White, USMEF Vice Chairman Keith Miller of Great Bend, and farm broadcaster Greg Akagi of the Kansas Agriculture Network. They are making a similar visit to South Korea later in the week.

In a telephone interview from Tokyo, Miller says the group is very pleased with the promotional activity and sales results they have had the opportunity to view so far.

“Our first day here we visited two national supermarket chains, and USMEF was doing beef promotions in both chains at the time,” Miller said. “People were standing in line waiting for samples to be cooked, and many of them also purchased our product. It was extremely successful.”

Leaders of the Kansas Corn Commission observe a U.S. beef promotion at a Daiei supermarket in Tokyo. Pictured left to right: USMEF Japan Director Greg Hanes, Daiei Chief Merchandiser Akira Kuroda, Commissioner Brian Baalman, Daiei store manager Takayuki Aida, USMEF Vice Chairman Keith Miller, Commissioner Ken McCauley, Commissioner Bob Timmons, Executive Director Jere White and farm broadcaster Greg Akagi, Kansas Agriculture Network

While the U.S. exported nearly $400 million of beef to Japan last year and exports are expected to continue to expand this year, Miller noted that the biggest concern Japan’s store managers have expressed regarding U.S. beef is their ability to acquire and maintain a sufficient year-round supply. U.S. beef exports to Japan are currently limited to beef from cattle less than 21 months of age.

“The managers were telling us about the difficulty they have getting the product. They can’t get near as much as they want,” he said. “As long as we have that age restriction in place, there’s just not enough supply to meet consumer demand in Japan.”

In addition to meeting with key importers and distributors, team members visited the largest cold storage facility in Japan and were impressed to see the amount of U.S. beef currently entering the country. They were able to see chilled products, including outside skirt which commands a price of more than $6.00 per pound in Japan, arriving from several Kansas plants as well as many other plants across the United States.

Japan is currently the top destination for U.S. pork, and Miller said there is strong evidence of that status in the retail establishments visited by the Kansas group.

“It’s really reassuring to see the amount of pork we are moving,” he said. “A large percentage of the pork products in the meat case are U.S. pork, and it’s amazing to see how many consumers here in Japan are buying and enjoying our pork.”

Seeing these results up close is important to the leadership of the KCC, and provides them with excellent information to share with their fellow farmers and ranchers back home.

“The Kansas Corn Commission is a longtime member of USMEF and has been a very strong supporter of our organization,” Miller said. “They want livestock producers across the United States to understand that the KCC is a strong partner with them in producing a quality product to be shipped overseas.”

Miller also noted the two-way benefit of U.S. farmers visiting the Asian markets. Not only do they have the opportunity to observe the overseas performance of U.S. meat exports, but it also allows Asian consumers to see the personal nature of U.S. agriculture.

“In the foreign markets, the farmer is considered to be a person consumers can trust, and one of the reasons we are over here is to help further build that trust,” he said.
 

3-5-2009--Kansas Corn Commission Supports Corn Farmers Coalition Effort to Tell Growers Story

Grown on family farms throughout Kansas and the rest of the nation, corn is one of the most versatile crops around. But in the past year, the crop has been blamed for increasing food prices, using up valuable land and even raising ticket prices at movie theaters. The Kansas Corn Commission is one of several state grower organizations that is educating decision makers on the role of corn farmers through a new effort called the Corn Farmers Coalition. On Monday, the coalition rolled out a new website at cornfarmerscoalition.org.

“The Kansas Corn Commission joined with several other states and the National Corn Growers Association to form this coalition with one goal—to make sure that the corn grower’s story is told accurately,” according to KCC Chairman Mike Brzon of Courtland. “Corn farmers have a great story to tell. We are using less fertilizer, less chemicals, less water and less tillage and at the same time we are producing record amounts of corn to supply all our customers.”

The focus of the coalition is educational and aims to make sure decision makers in Washington and elsewhere have correct information about corn farming. The coalition launched a web site this week at cornfarmerscoalition.com as well as an advertising campaign and a statistical abstract on America’s biggest crop.

“Throughout 2008, we were attacked again and again from special interest groups who insisted we could not produce enough corn for our customers,” Brzon said. “We harvested the second largest crop in history, and we had more corn leftover from 2008 than we did from 2007, which is the biggest crop ever.”

The coalition will meet with reporters, think tanks and members of Congress to talk about what’s ahead: how U.S. farmers, using the latest technologies, will continue to grow enough corn in an environmentally friendly way to meet all our needs; the prospects for making the farm bill more responsive to the market; and the future of renewable fuels, a vital issue for our economy and national security and a key issue for the new administration. The coalition’s web site has valuable information that is useful to anyone interested in agriculture.

 “This website is also a great resource for those involved in agriculture. It has a comprehensive fact book with excellent information,” Brzon said. “For example, farmers grow five times as much corn as they did in the 1930s — on 20 percent less land. And we produce 70 percent more corn per pound of fertilizer than we did in the 1970s. This is the type of valuable information that is offered on the cornfarmerscoalition.org web site.”

The Kansas Corn Commission is a grower board that invests the half-cent per bushel corn checkoff in the areas of market development, research, promotion and education to increase the profitability of Kansas corn.

3-3-09--KSU Students Get Free Ethanol Fuel and Talk About Renewables
A two hour fuel promotion at the Manhattan Coop drew more than 200 carloads of K-State students looking for free fuel, free lunch and a chance to talk about renewable fuels. The event was spearheaded by the Renewable Fuels Association and sponsored by the Kansas Corn Commission to kick off a national campaign to engage college students in a conversation about renewable fuels.

For two hours on March 2, representatives of the Kansas Corn Commission and the Renewable Fuels Association gave free ethanol-blended fuel fill-ups to KSU students. The Manhattan Coop has both E10 for all gas-powered vehicles and E85 fuel for flexible fuel vehicles that can operate on fuel up to 85 percent ethanol. Students also got a free lunch and were offered t-shirts or fuel cards for recording video clips about renewable resources.

The Coop, located just east of Manhattan off of Highway 24, was a good location for the large turnout, according to Kansas Corn Commission Chairman Mike Brzon of Courtland.

“We had a steady line of traffic that was up to a half mile long at times,” Brzon said. “This gave us the opportunity to talk to hundreds of college students and get them get them to think about renewable fuels like ethanol. I believe we accomplished a lot at this event, and it is just the beginning of a much larger effort.”

The event’s organizers used on campus advertising as well as internet sites to spread the word. Organizers talked to students on campus, advertised in the student newspaper and used Facebook and the e85challenge.com website to let students know about the event.

“That’s what this Flex Fuel Challenge is all about,” according to Robert White of RFA. “It’s about utilizing viral marketing, going through websites like Facebook. We actually created e85challenge.com to mirror those so you can add friends, you can have discussions and post pictures and do videos so that others can work within that medium to promote renewable energy.”

About 40 video clips were shot at the event as students took turns answering the question “What Does Renewable Mean to You?” The videos will be posted on the e85challenge.com website. The Manhattan event kicked off a larger on-line effort to spread the word about renewables and to encourage others to submit videos on renewables. The Flex Fuel Challenge is looking for creative ideas on renewables and encourages participants to spread the word to get votes for their video submission. The entry with the most votes will win a MacBook Air laptop computer.

In addition to the Kansas Corn Commission, sponsors of the Flex Fuel Challenge include the United Sorghum Checkoff Program and the Kentucky Corn Growers Association. For more information, visit the e85challenge.com website or the Kansas Corn Commission website at www.ksgrains.com.

The Kansas Corn Commission is a grower board that invests the half-cent per bushel corn checkoff in the areas of market development, research, promotion and education to increase the profitability of Kansas corn.

1-30-09--Ethanol Blender Pump Locations Grow In Kansas
An ethanol blender pump opening in Topeka this week showcased efforts to expand the availability of mid-grade ethanol fuels to Kansas drivers. The grand opening of the new ethanol blender pumps at the Conoco at 1531 SW Wanamaker Rd., Topeka was held on Jan. 28. The Topeka station is the eighth Kansas station to offer mid-grade ethanol fuel blends. The Kansas Corn Commission is leading an effort to add 100 ethanol blender pumps in the state. The corn commission is working with Growth Energy to offer technical and promotional support and financial incentives to help stations offset the costs of adding ethanol blender pumps.

“Kansas is one of the first states to allow blender pumps, giving motorists more choices for renewable fuels. Forward-thinking action by the Kansas Department of Agriculture established guidelines to allow the use of blender pumps in our state,” according to Jere White, Kansas Corn Commission executive director. “Corn producers see the value in expanding markets for ethanol within our state.”

Kansas now has eight fuel stations that offer mid-grade ethanol fuels at blender pumps located in Topeka, Coffeyville, Hutchinson, Garden City, Lawrence, Ottawa, Dodge City and Colwich.

Blender pumps can offer several blends of ethanol. The most common blends are E20, E30, E40 and E85. The “E” in the designation indicates that the fuel contains ethanol—and the number associated with it is the percentage of ethanol in that blend. For example, E20 is 20% ethanol, 80% gasoline. Any gas-powered engine can use E10, a 10 percent ethanol fuel blend. In the past year, a large percentage of gasoline sold in Kansas contained 10 percent ethanol. Fuels with more than 10 percent ethanol should be used in flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs). State guidelines require blender pumps to be clearly labeled to make sure the buyer understands that ethanol blends above 10 percent ethanol are intended only for use in flexible fuel vehicles.

Kansas Secretary of Agriculture Adrian Polansky participated in the Topeka blender pump event and announced that his department had finalized the state’s blender pump guidelines after a year-long pilot project. "Information we collected during the pilot project confirms that blending pumps can consistently and accurately dispense a range of ethanol blends from a single pump," Polansky said. "This is a real boon for owners of flexible fuel vehicles who want more choice."

The Topeka grand opening event also celebrated the creation of a new joint venture between fuel distributor Crescent Oil Company, ethanol plant design and builder ICM, Inc. and ethanol company Poet to provide a delivery system for mid-grade ethanol fuels. Crescent Oil, which is involved in the Topeka and Coffeyville stations, plans to add ethanol blender pumps at several more locations in Kansas and throughout the Midwest.

Ethanol blender pumps are located at the following Kansas locations:

Topeka: Conoco, 1531 SW Wanamaker
Coffeyville: Jump Start, 512 NW St.
Hutchinson: Hutchinson Coop Cenex, 1200 W. 4th Ave.
Garden City: U Pump It, 156 N. Campus Dr.
Lawrence: Zarco 66, 9th & Iowa St.
Ottawa: Zarco 66, 2518 East Logan St. (I-35 and Hwy 68)
Dodge City: Dodge City Coop, 800 W. Trail St.
Colwich: TJ’s Convenience Store, 104 W. Chicago Ave.

For more information on Kansas ethanol and a complete list of fuel stations that offer blender pumps as well as stations that have E85 pumps, visit the ethanol page at www.ksgrains.com.
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12-30-08--Kansas Corn Producers Post High Marks in Yield Contest
While Kansas growers did not receive national honors in the National Corn Yield Contest sponsored by the National Corn Growers Association, the state winners posted high yields in all categories.

The combined average yield of the Kansas winners was 261 bushels per acre, compared to the estimated state average yield of 137 bushels per acre. The highest irrigated yield from Kansas belonged to Faye Cyr of Clyde who had a yield of 296.7 bushels per acre in the Ridge Till Irrigated division. The highest non-irrigated yield was from Richard Sudbeck of Seneca who had a yield of 285.8 bushels per acre in the non-irrigated division.

The national and state contest winners will be honored at the 2009 Commodity Classic to be held at Grapevine, Texas February 26-28. The Kansas winners of the National Corn Yield Contest are listed below.

Non-Irrigated
1. Richard Sudbeck of Seneca planted DEKALB DKC63-42 for a yield of 285.8 bushels per acre.
2. Carl Reiff of Netawaka planted DEKALB DKC63-42 for a yield of 241.6 bushels per acre.
3. Art & Todd Meier of Topeka planted Pioneer 33T57 for a yield of 239.3 bushels per acre.

No Till/Strip Till Non-Irrigated
1. Douglas P. Johnson of Bendena planted Garst 82H80GT/CB/LL for 258.1 bushels per acre.
2. Don Garlow of Concordia planted Pioneer 34R67 for a yield of 251.3 bushels per acre.
3. Devon Benfer Concordia planted Pioneer 31N30 for a yield of 247.5 bushels per acre.

No Till/Strip Till Irrigated
1. Todd Cyr of Clyde planted Pioneer 32B29 for a yield of 293.4 bushels per acre.
2. Shawn Taddiken of Clifton planted Pioneer 32B29 for a yield of 262.6 bushels per acre.
3. Cedric Hands of Garden City planted Pioneer 33Y74 for a yield of 259.7 bushels per acre.

Ridge Till Non-Irrigated
1. Jimmy Elder of Linwood planted Pioneer 33K44 for a yield of 206.6 bushels per acre.
2. LeRoy Elder of Linwood planted Pioneer 33D47 for a yield of 194.9 bushels per acre.

Ridge Till Irrigated
1. Faye Cyr of Clyde planted Pioneer 32B29 for a yield of 296.7 bushels per acre.
2. Harold Lambert of Clyde planted Golden Harvest H-9190HX/LL for a yield of 274.6 bushels per acre.
3. Ron Jacobson of Concordia planted Pioneer 32B29 for a yield of 271.6 bushels per acre.

Irrigated
1. Gail Cyr of Clyde planted Pioneer 32B29 for a yield of 291.6 bushels per acre.
2. Merl Rexford of Meade planted Pioneer 33D47 for a yield of 280.2 bushels per acre.
3. Richard Unruh of Copeland planted Pioneer 33Y76 for a yield of 273.5 bushels per acre.

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12-10-08--Kansas Corn Producers Are Meeting Needs of Customers
Corn producers are meeting the needs of their customers and doing it in a more sustainable manner, according to Kansas Corn Commissioner Ken McCauley of White Cloud. McCauley, who is past president of National Corn Growers Association, spoke at the Kansas Corn Producers Dinner held in conjunction with the Kansas Commodity Classic in early December.

McCauley’s presentation focused not only on the growing demand for corn spurred by the biofuels industry, but also the ability of growers to meet the demand on existing acres.

“Today, we are using all available technology to significantly increase corn production, and there is more technology in the pipeline that will boost yields even more,” McCauley said. “We can find new markets for corn and still meet all traditional needs and at the same time, we can be responsible stewards of our natural resources.”

McCauley said the notion that using corn to make ethanol is the main reason for rising food prices had been disproved by several credible sources. He pointed to studies from USDA, Texas A&M, and the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City. A copy of McCauley’s presentation is available on the Kansas Corn Growers Association website at www.ksgrains.com.

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12-10-08--Kansas Corn Growers Association Holds Annual Meeting
The Kansas Corn Growers Association held its annual meeting on December 8. Association members heard association reports, reviewed the association’s resolutions and elected board members. Harvey Heier of Grainfield was elected to represent the west central district; Armin Nelson of McPherson was elected to represent the central district, and Roger Pine of Lawrence was elected to represent the east central district.

The KCGA board held its officer elections after the annual meeting. Brian Baalman of Menlo was reelected president; Armin Nelson was elected vice president; Bob Timmons, Fredonia was reelected secretary, and Charles Foltz, Garnett was reelected treasurer.

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11-20-08--Kansas Commodity Classic Is Tuesday, December 9 at Salina!
As Kansas farmers look ahead to 2009, a number of key questions are looming: can commodity prices rebound to near-historic highs of 2008? Will input prices stabilize?

Answers to these questions may be found at the annual Kansas Commodity Classic, slated for Dec. 9 at the Holiday Inn, Salina. The Commodity Classic is an annual joint convention of the Kansas Association of Wheat Growers, Kansas Corn Growers Association and Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association.
The day’s educational sessions begin at 9 a.m., when Kansas Secretary of Agriculture Adrian Polansky leads off with a recap of 2008 and 2009 outlook. The general session continues with a keynote presentation focusing on the “Strength of the Agricultural Economy,” followed by an Ag Production Issues panel discussion on the relationship between agricultural credit, grain marketing and crop inputs. The morning session concludes with a post-election update on federal government issues.

Following a complimentary luncheon, a series of breakout sessions will allow farmers to gain valuable insight into the 2009 crop year. Sessions include:
--Fertilizer Supply, Demand and Costs;
--Alternative Land Lease Agreements
--End of Year Tax Planning for Farmers
--Rural Development Opportunities
--Marketing Strategies
 
An ice cream break featuring Call Hall Ice Cream from Kansas State University - a Kansas Commodity Classic tradition – separates the first and second breakout sessions. The Commodity Classic is free to farmers, but pre-registration is encouraged, by calling the Kansas Wheat office at 866-759-4328

Follow this link for an agenda of Classic events
.

ANNUAL CORN PRODUCERS DINNER
6 p.m. Monday, December 8
Salina Holiday Inn
Sponsored by the Kansas Corn Commission
All corn producers are invited
Please RSVP at 800-489-2676

KCGA Annual Meeting will follow at 8 p.m.

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8-20-08Former Kansas Corn Commissioner Carolyn Dunn Will Speak at Republican National Convention
Carolyn Dunn of St. John will give a three minute speech on rural development and agriculture at the Republican National Convention. Dunn, who completed her term earlier this year as Kansas Corn Commissioner representing the southcentral Kansas district, will speak on Tuesday, September 2 in the 7 p.m. hour, according to media reports.

Follow the link below to read a Hutchinson News article about Carolyn's convention appearance.

Corn Checkoff Refund Vouchers and Refund Information

Meeting Notices  ¨   Kansas Corn Commissioners  ¨   Contact the KCC  ¨   Bi-Weekly Corn Leader Update

External Links
National Corn Growers Association  ¨   US Meat Export Federation  ¨   US Grains Council

KSU International Grains Program  ¨   Kansas State University Research & Extension

Kansas Corn Growers Association