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Kansas
Grain Sorghum NEWS
KGSPA
NEWS
4-3-08--EPA Grants
Label Allowing Lumax on Kansas Grain Sorghum
3-21-08--Greving,
Short and Siefkes Elected to Grain Sorghum Commission
2-6-08--DuPont Crop
Protection and KSU Research Foundation Partner To Commercialize Sorghum
Herbicide Tolerant Traits
12-20-07--Energy Bill
Ensures Strong Biofuels Future for Kansas
12-9-07--E85 Fuel Now
Available at 28 Kansas Stations
11-9-07--November Crop
Estimate Shows 45% Increase for Kansas Feed Grains
8-27-07--Kansas Corn
and Sorghum Growers Applaud Announcement of Abengoa’s Conventional and
Cellulosic Ethanol Plant Project
6-7-07--Lumax now can
be used on sorghum until June 30
5-14-07--Corn and
Sorghum Growers Applaud New Kansas Renewable Fuels Standard
4-27-07--EPA Grants
Exemption Allowing Lumax on Kansas Grain Sorghum
4-20-07--Kansas
Sorghum Producers Welcome Return of MiloPro 4L Herbicide
1-31-07--National Grain
Sorghum Producers Foundation Announces Alliance with Valent to Develop
Herbicide Tolerant Grain Sorghum
11-16-06--National Grain
Sorghum Producers Foundation Announces Collaboration to Develop Non-GMO
Traits in Grain Sorghum
11-2-06--Kansas
Commodity Classic to Feature National Leaders, Farm Bill Discussions
9-20-06--Shelor
Presents Farm Bill Recommendations to House Ag Committee
8-28-06--Kansas Corn and
Grain Sorghum Associations Support EPA’s Favorable Atrazine, Triazine
Findings
8-22-06-- NSP
Board Votes Unanimously to Proceed with Creating a National Sorghum
Checkoff
8-4-06--Kansas Corn,
Sorghum Groups Applaud Liberal Ethanol Groundbreaking--
Two Conestoga Plants Will Add 165 Million Gallons of Production
07-27-06--Zimmerman
Reelected to Represent Sorghum Industry on US Grains Council
5-25-06--Growers
Celebrate Garden City Ethanol Groundbreaking
5-18-06--Kansas Sorghum
Producers Applaud Emergency Exemption for Lumax
5-5-06--Ethanol Featured at
Kansas Corn, Sorghum Exhibit at Great Bend 3i Show
3-30-06--Western
Kansas Grain Sorghum Commissioners Elected
3-24-06--Growers
Applaud Passage of Bill to Lower E85 Fuel Tax
2-10-06--Kansas Grower
is National Sorghum President
1-17-06--Kansas
Growers Join Coalition Seeking Suspension of On-Farm Fuel Storage Rule
1-12-06--2005 Kansas
Sorghum Crop Outperforms Expectations
12-15-05--Kansas
Producer Testifies on Sorghum LDP Issues
11-9-05--KGSPA to
Hold Farm Bill Forum and Annual Meeting Nov. 16 at Ellinwood
10-28-05--Great
Plains Sorghum Initiative Promises to Help Move the Industry Forward
10-26-05--Sorghum Association, USDA Work Together to Fix Sorghum LDP
Problem
10-25-05--Corn, Grain Sorghum, Wheat and Cotton
Producers to Meet at Kansas Commodity Classic November 8 at Garden City
9-15-05--Prairie Horizon Agri-Energy, LLC Breaks Ground on Phillipsburg Ethanol Plant
8-22-05--Sorghum to
be the Second Cereal Crop Sequenced
8-22-05--Sorghum Producers
Approve Name Change and New Structure
8-1-05--Grain Sorghum
Wins with Energy and Trade Bills
8-1-05--Kansas
Delegation Key to CAFTA-DR Passage
6-10-05--East Kansas
Agri-Energy Takes in First Load of Grain on June 10
3-23-05--Corn and
Grain Sorghum Growers Applaud Passage of Ethanol Labeling Bill
3-24-05--Kansas Sorghum
Growers Explore Sorghum Market Opportunities in Africa
3-15-05--Kansas Renewable
Energy Projects Could Benefit From USDA Grant Program
2-16-05--Wake Up to
Kansas Agriculture Breakfast Brings Together Growers, Legislators
1-20-05--Bill to Repeal
Ethanol Labeling Introduced in Kansas
1-14-05--New
Meeting Dates Added for Silage Sorghum Crop Insurance Pilot Program
1-6-05--Sorghum
Profit Seminar Scheduled with Silage Insurance Meeting
Jan. 13 at Colby
12-30-04--Kansas
Meetings Set For Silage Sorghum Crop Insurance Pilot Program
12-28-04--Kansas
Growers Win Honors in National Yield Contest
12-2-04--Winter
Storm Doesn’t Dampen Growers’ Enthusiasm for Kansas Commodity Classic
11-24-04--Sorghum Profit
Meetings Slated for Eastern Kansas
11-17-04--Corn, Grain
Sorghum, Wheat and Cotton Producers to Meet at Kansas Commodity Classic
Nov. 30 at Garden City
11-5-04--2004 KGSPA Annual
Meeting November 30
Go To Archived News
Releases
4-3-08--EPA Grants Label Allowing Lumax on Kansas
Grain Sorghum
After a multi-year effort to add Lumax to the grain sorghum grower’s
toolbox, the Environmental Protection Agency has labeled the pre-plant
herbicide to be used on grain sorghum in Kansas and Nebraska. The Kansas
Grain Sorghum Producers Association thanked those who worked for approval
of the label including the Kansas Department of Agriculture, Kansas State
University and the National Sorghum Producers.
Lumax includes the active ingredient mesotrione and can be used as a
pre-plant herbicide. EPA granted emergency exemptions allowing the use of
Lumax on grain sorghum in Kansas in 2006 and 2007.
“Having Lumax labeled for use on sorghum in Kansas and Nebraska reduces
the uncertainty you have when you are waiting for an exemption,” according
to KGSPA Executive Director Jere White. “Now that Lumax is labeled for
grain sorghum in our state, our growers will be able to plan better when
making their weed control decisions.”
Because grain sorghum is considered a minor crop, producers have a limited
number of crop protection options.
“We’ve been working on getting a label for Lumax on sorghum ever since it
was approved for corn. When EPA approved the label for Lumax, that was
very good news for our sorghum producers who need pre-plant broadleaf weed
control for their crop especially in cases where they are experiencing
herbicide resistance issues,” White said. “As with all crop protection
tools, we strongly encourage our growers to read and follow label
instructions and restrictions.”
Lumax Herbicide, which is manufactured by Syngenta Crop Protection, must
be applied following all label directions, restrictions and precautions.
Restrictions and Precautions include:
--Use Lumax only on Concep-treated grain sorghum seed.
--Do not apply to emerged grain sorghum.
--Do not apply to grain sorghum on coarse textured soils (i.e. sand, loamy
sand or sandy loam).
--Apply Lumax to grain sorghum only. Lumax is not labeled for other types
of sorghum.
--Minimize disturbance of the herbicide treated soil barrier during the
planting process.
--Lumax is not approved for aerial application or application through any
type of irrigation system.
--Do not harvest within 60 days of application.
The label information for Lumax and other information is available at the
KGSPA website at www.ksgrains.com/sorghum
3-21-08--Greving,
Short and Siefkes Elected to Grain Sorghum Commission
TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of
Agriculture today announced the names of producers from the central third
of the state who were elected to the state’s five grain commodity
commissions – corn, grain sorghum, soybeans, sunflowers and wheat.
This was the third election cycle for districts four, five and six under
the new law that privatized the commissions in July 2000. District Four
commissioners represent north-central Kansas; District Five commissioners
represent central Kansas, and District Six commissioners represent
south-central Kanas.
Ballots were cast between January 15 and March 1 and were counted at the
Kansas
Department of Agriculture on March 7. The newly elected commissioners will
take office April 1 and will serve three-year terms.
Commissioners-Elect for the Kansas Corn Commission
District four – Mike Brzon, who grows corn, soybeans, sorghum and wheat in
Republic County. He currently serves on the Kansas Corn Commission and is
a director on the U.S. Grains Council and Farmway Cooperative Inc. Brzon
also is active in water issues in the Republican River basin in Kansas and
Nebraska.
District five – Terry Vinduska, who grows corn, grain sorghum, soybeans,
wheat and alfalfa on a family farm in Marion County. He currently serves
on the Kansas Corn Commission and is a member of the U.S. Grains Council,
Kansas Farmers Union and Kansas Farm Bureau. Vinduska has a bachelor’s
degree in agricultural technology from Kansas State University.
District six – Kent Moore, who grows corn, wheat and soybeans in Pratt
County. He is a member of the Kansas Corn Growers Association and the
Kansas Association of Wheat Growers, and he is on the board of directors
for the Pratt County 4-H Foundation. Moore has a bachelor’s degree in
agricultural economics from Kansas State University.
Commissioners-Elect for the Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission
District four – William Greving, who grows corn, sorghum, wheat and hay in
Phillips County. He currently is secretary-treasurer of the Kansas Grain
Sorghum Commission, serves on the board of the National Sorghum Producers
and is a member of the Kansas Livestock Association, the Kansas
Association of Wheat Growers and the Kansas Corn Growers Association.
Greving has a bachelor’s degree in agriculture from Fort Hays State
University.
District five – Clayton Short, who grows corn, sorghum, wheat and soybeans
in Saline County. He currently serves on the Kansas Grain Sorghum
Commission and is a member of the Kansas Grain Sorghum Association and
Kansas Association of Wheat Growers. Short has a bachelors degree in
agriculture from Kansas State University.
District six – Dennis Siefkes, who grows corn, grain sorghum, soybeans and
wheat in Stafford County. He is a member of the Kansas Grain Sorghum
Producers Association, the Stafford County Farm Bureau and the Great Bend
Cooperative Association, and a past member of the Kansas Corn Commission.
Siefkes has a bachelor’s degree in agriculture mechanization from Kansas
State University.
Commissioners-Elect for the Kansas Soybean Commission
District four – Steve Clanton, who grows corn, grain sorghum, soybeans,
sunflowers and wheat in Ottawa County. He currently serves on the Kansas
Soybean Commission. He has been involved in many organizations, including
the local extension and soil conservation board and the Kansas Soybean
Association. He is a past president of the Kansas Association of Wheat
Growers. Clanton has a bachelor’s degree in engineering from Kansas State
University.
District five – Harold Kraus, who grows corn, grain sorghum, soybeans and
wheat in Ellis County. He has served on the Kansas Soybean Commission
since 1999, is a member of Kansas Farm Bureau and is a voting member of
the National Biodiesel Board. Kraus has a bachelor’s degree in business
from the University of Kansas.
District six – Jerry Wyse, who grows wheat, corn, grain sorghum and
soybeans in Reno County. He currently serves on the Kansas Soybean
Commission and is past president and CEO of Kauffman Seeds Inc. Wyse has
an associate’s degree in liberal arts from Hesston College.
Commissioners-Elect for the Kansas Wheat Commission
District four – Steve Clanton, who also was elected to the Kansas Soybean
Commission.
He grows corn, grain sorghum, soybeans, sunflowers and wheat in Ottawa
County. He currently serves on the Kansas Soybean Commission. He has been
involved in many organizations, including the local extension and soil
conservation board and the Kansas Soybean Association. He is a past
president of the Kansas Association of Wheat Growers. Clanton has a
bachelor’s degree in engineering from Kansas State University.
District five – Dean Stoskopf, who grows wheat, grain sorghum and alfalfa,
and has a cow-calf herd in Barton County. He currently is finishing his
second term on the Kansas Wheat Commission, he is a past president of the
Kansas Association of Wheat Growers and is a current member of Kansas Farm
Bureau. Stoskopf has a degree in agriculture from Kansas State University.
Distinct six – Scott Van Allen, who grows sorghum and wheat in Sumner
County. He is a past president and current member of the Sumner County
Farm Bureau. Van Allen has also been on Kansas Farm Bureau’s wheat
advisory board for the past two years. Van Allen is a graduate of
Clearwater High School.
Commissioner-Elect for the Kansas Sunflower Commission
There were no candidates for commissioner in districts four, five and six.
Commissioners will be appointed by the Kansas Sunflower Commission.
2009 Election Will Cover Western Third of State
Corn, grain sorghum, soybean, sunflower and wheat growers in the western
third of the state can expect to receive information by mail this fall
outlining the 2009 election procedure.
District one includes Cheyenne, Decatur, Graham, Norton, Rawlins Sheridan,
Sherman and Thomas counties.
District two includes Gove, Greeley, Lane, Logan, Ness, Scott, Trego,
Wallace and Wichita counties.
District three includes Clark, Finney, Ford, Grant, Gray, Hamilton,
Haskell, Hodgeman, Kearny, Meade, Morton, Seward, Stanton and Stevens
counties.
Grain growers who plan to campaign for a seat on one of the commissions
must collect on an official petition form 20 signatures from eligible
voters to be included on the 2009 ballot. Official petition forms will be
available through the Kansas Department of Agriculture or one of the grain
commodity commissions.
No more than five signatures from any one county will be used to qualify a
candidate. Eligible voters are Kansas residents who will reach age 18
before the election and have been growing corn, grain sorghum, soybeans,
sunflowers or wheat during the last three years. The filing deadline for
candidates is November 30, 2008.
2-6-08--DuPont Crop Protection and KSU Research
Foundation Partner To Commercialize Sorghum Herbicide Tolerant Traits
(KSU News release)
WILMINGTON, Del. – DuPont and Kansas State University Research Foundation
have signed an agreement giving DuPont exclusive commercialization rights
to two new herbicide-tolerant traits in sorghum.
The new traits, developed by Kansas State University researchers, include
an ALS-herbicide-tolerant trait and an ACCase-herbicide tolerant trait.
Both traits will provide growers with new, more flexible post-emergence
herbicide options for grass control in sorghum with no restrictions on
export marketing.
Growers will benefit from new herbicide solutions developed with the
unique blends technology from DuPont Crop Protection for use on sorghum
with the new ALS-tolerant trait. Seed companies will have the opportunity
to sub-license both traits from DuPont.
“Our partnership with Kansas State will allow us to deliver solutions for
grass and broadleaf weed control in sorghum that have never before been
available,” said James C. Collins, vice president and general manager –
DuPont Crop Protection. “We are pleased to work with Kansas State
researchers as we continue to deliver products that increase grower
productivity.”
“One of the greatest challenges sorghum growers have faced over the years
is control of weeds in the crop,” said Forrest Chumley, K-State Research
and Extension associate director for research. “To solve the problem, we
needed to work with a company, such as DuPont, that has optimal herbicide
chemistry, access to good crop genetics, and the willingness to make the
innovation available broadly. This is a huge step for sorghum production.”
Growers currently rely on pre-emergence grass herbicides that require
rainfall for activation. These treatments can be inconsistent, especially
in the High Plains where annual rainfall frequently is limited. The new
ALS-tolerant and ACCase-tolerant traits will provide sorghum growers with
post-emergence grass and broadleaf weed control options needed for more
versatile application timing. The new traits, developed using conventional
methods, will also allow growers greater rotational flexibility to sorghum
from other crops.
The traits were developed by K-State agronomy researchers including Kassim
Al-Khatib and his former colleague Mitch Tuinstra (currently at Purdue
University).
K-State’s Chumley said the effort was made possible by strong support from
the Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission and the National Grain Sorghum
Producers.
“Through their checkoff dollars, sorghum farmers have provided steady
support for research and educational programs aimed at improving this
important crop. It’s nice to see this payoff for sorghum farmers,” he
said.
Kansas has long been the leading state in grain sorghum production,
accounting for nearly half of the U.S. crop. The United States is the
world’s largest producer of grain sorghum at about 300 million bushels per
year. In 2006, grain sorghum sales pumped $487 million into the Kansas
economy, according to the Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association. The
latest projections by the Kansas Agricultural Statistics Service indicate
that Kansas growers produced about 212 million bushels of grain sorghum in
2007.
The mission of the Kansas State University Research Foundation is to
promote, encourage and aid scientific investigation, research and
technology transfer at Kansas State University to return the greatest
advantage to the creators, K-State and the general public.
DuPont is a science-based products and services company. Founded in 1802,
DuPont puts science to work by creating sustainable solutions essential to
a better, safer, healthier life for people everywhere. Operating in more
than 70 countries, DuPont offers a wide range of innovative products and
services for markets including agriculture and food, building and
construction, communications, and transportation.
12-20-07--Energy Bill Ensures Strong Biofuels Future for
Kansas
Kansas corn and grain sorghum growers cheered the signing of H.R. 6, the
energy bill this week. The bill includes a 36 billion gallon Renewable
Fuels Standard by 2022. 15 billion gallons of that RFS will be grain based
ethanol, creating a strong foundation for ethanol production in Kansas.
The remainder of the RFS will be met by other biofuels including
cellulosic ethanol.
The Kansas Corn Growers Association (KCGA) and Kansas Grain Sorghum
Producers Association (KGSPA) both supported passage of the bill. The
Kansas ethanol industry currently provides a market for 117 million
bushels of corn and grain sorghum. The state’s corn and sorghum growers
produced 710 million bushels of grain this year.
“If you want to see the opportunity for cellulosic ethanol to move
forward, you need to maintain a strong grain-based ethanol industry,”
according to Jere White, executive director of KCGA and KGSPA. “When the
president signed this bill into law, it provided needed stability for the
future of ethanol and other biofuels.”
The Energy Bill had strong bipartisan support in both the House and the
Senate. Senators Pat Roberts and Sam Brownback both voted in favor of the
Energy Bill. On the house side three of our four representatives voted for
the Energy Bill. Representatives Jerry Moran, Dennis Moore and Todd Tiahrt
all supported the bill. Second District Representative Nancy Boyda voted
against the Energy Bill.
“Kansans are fortunate to have a senators and representatives who
understand the importance of renewable fuels to the economy of our state,”
White said. “The ten ethanol plants in Kansas are having a dramatic impact
on rural development in Kansas. This industry is bringing jobs and
economic activity to communities across the state and has created a strong
and stable market for our grains. At the same time, these plants are
producing a clean, renewable refined fuel that adds to our fuel supply and
stabilizes prices we pay at the pump.”
The bill also includes provisions that will advance E85, 85 percent
ethanol fuel, including a provision that prohibits franchise agreements
from restricting the sale of renewable fuels.
Kansas currently has 10 plants in operation that produce 329 million
gallons of ethanol, creating a market for about 117 million bushels of
corn and grain sorghum. Ethanol blended fuels are available across the
state of Kansas as E10 for use in all gasoline powered vehicles; and 28
stations now offer E85 fuel for flexible fuel vehicles. For more
information on ethanol and locations of E85 fueling sites, visit
www.ksgrains.com.
12-9-07--E85 Fuel Now Available at 28 Kansas Stations
Not too long ago, drivers of flexible fuel vehicles were lucky to find a
handful of Kansas fuel stations that carried E85, 85 percent ethanol fuel.
Today, motorists can find E85 in 28 stations across Kansas, with more on
the way.
The newest stations are located in Arkansas City, Burlington, Oakley,
Parsons, Thayer and Topeka.
“Our association staff drives flexible fuel vehicles. Thanks to the
increase in the number of E85 stations, we can now drive on E85 fuel no
matter where we go in Kansas,” according to Sue Schulte, communications
director for the Kansas Corn Growers Association and Kansas Grain Sorghum
Producers Association.
While E85 fuel has many benefits, most drivers notice the price first.
“There are so many reasons to use E85 fuel. It is domestically produced
ethanol, made from corn and grain sorghum. It burns cleaner and is better
for the environment. But it is the price that is attracting the most
attention right now. At 40 to 60 cents below regular unleaded, E85 fuel is
a great deal,” Schulte said.
While there is a drop fuel economy for E85 fuel because ethanol contains a
lower energy content, KCGA and KGSPA staff have not found the dramatic
decreases in fuel economy that is reported by some sources.
“We’ve been using E85 in flexible fuel vehicles for year, and while we see
about a small loss in fuel economy, the price of the fuel will normally
more than make up for that difference,” Schulte said. “If you live near an
E85 station, it will be worth your time to check your owners manual to see
if you have a flexible fuel vehicle.”
E85 is 85 percent ethanol fuel that can be used in flexible fuel vehicles
(FFVs) that operate on any combination of gasoline and ethanol up to 85
percent ethanol. There are over 6 million FFVs on the road today.
For a complete list of E85 stations in Kansas, visit the Kansas Ethanol
website at www.ksgrains.com.
11-9-07--November Crop Estimate Shows 45% Increase
for Kansas Feed Grains
45 percent. That’s the increase in Kansas Corn production over last year’s
crop, according to Kansas Agricultural Statistics monthly crop production
estimates. Ag Statistics boosted the 2007 Kansas corn crop estimate to
500.4 million bushels, 45 percent over last year’s harvest of 345 million
bushels. The estimate is 7 million bushels over last month’s estimate
thanks to an increase in expected yield to 139 bushels per acre.
45 percent is also the increase for Kansas grain sorghum this year. Ag
statistics increased its estimate by 4 million bushels over last month’s
guess. The November estimate is at 210.6 million bushels which is 45
percent more than last year’s harvest of 145 million bushels. The November
yield estimate is 81 bushels per acre, compared to 58 bushels per acre in
2006. The yield estimate is also 3 bushels per acre higher than the
October estimate.
Combined feed grain production for Kansas now stands at 711 million
bushels of corn and sorghum, compared to a combined 2006 feed grain
harvest of 490 million bushels.
8-27-07--Kansas Corn
and Sorghum Growers Applaud Announcement of Abengoa’s Conventional and
Cellulosic Ethanol Plant Project
A new ethanol plant project that would make both grain based ethanol and
cellulosic ethanol will be good for Kansas and its agriculture industry,
according to corn and sorghum growers. Abengoa Bioenergy announced on
Aug. 23 that it would build a hybrid ethanol project that would feature
an 85 million gallon grain-based ethanol plant and a 30 million gallon
cellulosic ethanol plant. Abengoa officials pointed to the unique
synergy between the two ethanol processes. Leaders of the Kansas Corn
Growers Association and Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association
agree.
“Conventional ethanol has created a good market for my grain sorghum.
The cellulosic ethanol would be made from the crop residue, like sorghum
and corn stalks, and that can create an additional revenue stream for
growers,” KGSPA President Greg Shelor of Minneola said.
Cellulosic ethanol can also be made from grasses, forage sorghums and
other cellulosic materials.
“There is a lot of interest in some of the forage sorghum varieties that
would produce a very large amount of material for cellulosic
production,” he said. “Obviously sorghum producers are following that
closely.”
Abengoa officials have said they would place a strong emphasis making
sure the right amount of crop residue remains in the fields because it
is in their best interest for growers to continue to use the best
agronomic and conservation practices.
The Abengoa said the Hugoton plant will be the first cellulosic ethanol
plant in the U.S. . The development of the cellulosic ethanol industry
will help America meet its goals for producing domestic renewable
energy, according to KCGA President Bob Timmons, Fredonia.
“It’s exciting to see companies beginning to move forward in developing
cellulosic ethanol plants,” Timmons said. “Our country is setting some
aggressive goals for renewable fuels, and cellulosic ethanol will play a
big role in meeting those goals.”
Timmons said corn growers see cellulosic ethanol as a new opportunity
for those involved in agriculture.
“Some people automatically assume that as a corn grower, I would not be
interested in cellulosic ethanol production,” Timmons said. “Whether
you’re selling your grain, your stover or both to an ethanol plant, that
is a benefit to you as a farmer. Cellulosic ethanol won’t replace
conventional ethanol, it will complement it.”
Kansas now has 9 ethanol plants that use 96 million bushels of corn and
sorghum to produce over 270 million gallons of ethanol per year. Those
ethanol plants are operating in Garden City (2 plants), Russell,
Phillipsburg, Campus, Garnett, Colwich, Atchison and Leoti. Plants in
Pratt, Hayne near Liberal, Lyons, Scandia and Goodland are under
construction. Other plants are in various stages of planning. Visit
www.ksgrains.com for more information on Kansas ethanol, KCGA and KGSPA.
June 7, 2008
Lumax now can be used on sorghum until June 30
TOPEKA -- The Kansas Department of Agriculture today announced that
the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has approved its request to
extend until June 30 the Section 18 emergency exemption for Lumax
herbicide use on Kansas grain sorghum.
An earlier emergency exemption allowed Lumax to be used until June
15. Sorghum growers may now use it until June 30.
"Given the planting delays many farmers experienced due to ongoing wet
weather, we asked that the deadline to use Lumax be extended from June
15 to June 30," said Kansas Secretary of Agriculture Adrian Polansky.
When applied according to label directions – and after proper
activation – this herbicide controls broadleaf weeds and annual
grasses (excluding shattercane) in grain sorghum. The controlled
weeds include triazine-resistant, glyphosate-resistant, and
acetolactate synthase (ALS)-resistant
Palmer amaranth and waterhemp.
The emergency exemption does outline special conditions for Lumax use
on sorghum. Users must have the label at the time of application, and
they must accept responsibility for failure to perform and for crop
damage. Applicators can access the label online at
www.farmassist.com. For those who do not have Internet access, their retailer will help
them through the process.
The Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association asked the Kansas
Department of Agriculture to apply for the exemption, and it was
originally granted until June 15, 2007.
Lumax Herbicide, which is manufactured by Syngenta Crop Protection,
must be applied following all label directions, restrictions and
precautions on the federal label and as outlined in the authorization
notice.
The exemption has several conditions which include:
-
Application of Lumax® is allowed on grain sorghum fields
and has 7-14 day pre-plant application requirement.
-
Apply at the rate of no more than 2.5 quarts per acre.
-
A 60-day pre-harvest interval must be observed.
-
Because Lumax is a restricted-use pesticide, farmers and
applicators must be certified and maintain record of applications
following standard restricted use pesticide record keeping rules
- June 7, 2008
Lumax now can be used on sorghum until June 30
TOPEKA -- The Kansas Department of Agriculture today announced that
the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has approved its request to
extend until June 30 the Section 18 emergency exemption for Lumax
herbicide use on Kansas grain sorghum.
An earlier emergency exemption allowed Lumax to be used until June
15. Sorghum growers may now use it until June 30.
"Given the planting delays many farmers experienced due to ongoing
wet weather, we asked that the deadline to use Lumax be extended
from June 15 to June 30," said Kansas Secretary of Agriculture
Adrian Polansky.
When applied according to label directions – and after proper
activation – this herbicide controls broadleaf weeds and annual
grasses (excluding shattercane) in grain sorghum. The controlled
weeds include triazine-resistant, glyphosate-resistant, and
acetolactate synthase (ALS)-resistant
Palmer amaranth and waterhemp.
The emergency exemption does outline special conditions for Lumax
use on sorghum. Users must have the label at the time of
application, and they must accept responsibility for failure to
perform and for crop damage. Applicators can access the label online
at www.farmassist.com. For those who do not have Internet access,
their retailer will help them through the process.
The Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association asked the Kansas
Department of Agriculture to apply for the exemption, and it was
originally granted until June 15, 2007.
Lumax Herbicide, which is manufactured by Syngenta Crop Protection,
must be applied following all label directions, restrictions and
precautions on the federal label and as outlined in the
authorization notice.
The exemption has several conditions which include:
Application of Lumax® is allowed on grain sorghum fields and has
7-14 day pre-plant application requirement.
Apply at the rate of no more than 2.5 quarts per acre.
A 60-day pre-harvest interval must be observed.
Because Lumax is a restricted-use pesticide, farmers and applicators
must be certified and maintain record of applications following
standard restricted use pesticide record keeping rules
April 27, 2007--
EPA Grants Exemption Allowing Lumax on Kansas Grain Sorghum
The Environmental Protection Agency approved a specific exemption
that will allow the use of Lumax, a pre-plant herbicide to be used
on grain sorghum in Kansas. Lumax includes the active ingredient
mesotrione.
“This is good news for sorghum producers who need pre-plant
broadleaf weed control for their crop especially in cases where they
are experiencing herbicide resistance issues,” according to KGSPA
Executive Director Jere White. “Our growers were able to use Lumax
last year through an emergency exemption.”
The Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association had requested that
the Kansas Department of Agriculture (KDA) apply for the exemption.
KDA received a specific exemption for Lumax this week from EPA. KDA
is responsible for making sure the conditions of the specific
exemption are met. The exemption is in effect until June 15, 2007
(extended to June 30).
Lumax Herbicide, which is manufactured by Syngenta Crop Protection,
must be applied following all label directions, restrictions and
precautions on the federal label and as outlined in the
authorization notice.
The exemption has several conditions which include:
*Application of Lumax® is allowed on grain sorghum fields and has a
7-14 day pre-plant application requirement.
*Apply at the rate of no more than 2.5 quarts per acre.
*A 60-day pre-harvest interval must be observed.
*Because Lumax is a restricted-use pesticide, farmers and
applicators must be certified and maintain record of applications
following standard restricted use pesticide record keeping rules.
For more information, contact KGSPA at 800-489-2676.
Steps to Access the Lumax on Sorghum Indemnified Section 18 (Kansas)
Access to the Indemnified Label
1. Go to the http://www.farmassist.com website
2. If first time user, then register as a new user. Click o the "I
accept" button.
3. On the left side of the screen select Products then Syngenta Crop
Protection then Special Labels
4. At the top of the ensuing screen, click the "here" (If searching
for indemnified labels, click here.)
5. Click the Section 18 box, select Kansas, select Lumax
6. Click the Submit button near the bottom.
7. On the next window you should see information on the Section 18.
Then click on sorghum.
8. Final step is to accept the terms and conditions of the
indemnified label by clicking on the “I accept” button. Now the
label will be available for viewing and printing.
Note: If you have trouble getting the label, make sure you did not
miss Step 4. If you still have difficulty, then call the Syngenta
Customer Resource Center at 1-866-796-4368 (option 2).
4-20-07
Kansas Sorghum Producers Welcome Return of MiloPro 4L Herbicide
After being off the market for several years, MiloPro 4L, is once
again available to Kansas grain sorghum growers. For over a decade,
the Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association (KGSPA) and National
Sorghum Producers (NSP) have worked to return this important
preemergent weed control chemical to the grower’s toolbox.
The product, which contains the active ingredient propazine, has
received a section 3 conditional label. The section 3 label is a
conditional label for three years while the manufacturer Albaugh
Inc. and the National Sorghum Producers (NSP) work with the
Environmental Protection Agency to document water safety in certain
areas of the Sorghum Belt.
“This is important for our sorghum producers in Kansas,” according
to KGSPA Executive Director Jere White. “Our growers need options
when controlling weeds,” he said. “It is an important accomplishment
to have the use of MiloPro again.”
White is chairman of the Triazine Network, a nationwide coalition of
state and national commodity and farm organizations, as well as
hundreds of individual farmers who have been instrumental in
ensuring the growers concerns were considered in the regulatory
effort. The special review is coming to an end with a positive
outcome for growers who use triazine herbicides like atrazine,
simazine and propazine.
In 2006, EPA released a tolerance assessment for propazine which led
to its actions to issue a label allowing the use of propazine on
grain sorghum. KGSPA submitted comments in favor of the propazine
tolerance assessment.
“Propazine is one of the triazine herbicides that can be of great
use to grain sorghum producers. Few crop protection tools have been
made available for grain sorghum because of relatively small
acreages,” KGSPA stated in its comments to EPA. “A label for the use
of propazine on grain sorghum would be a positive step forward for
our producers.”
NSP CEO Tim Lust said that sorghum growers have expressed interest
in using MiloPro 4L again.
“Producers have continued to ask us over the years to bring this
product back to the market. We are excited to communicate that this
product is available again for producers who are looking to add
sorghum back into their crop rotations.”
Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association represents sorghum
growers in regulatory and legislative issues. KGSPA is affiliated
with the National Sorghum Producers. Visit www.ksgrains.com for more
information.
5-14-07--Corn and Sorghum Growers Applaud New Kansas
Renewable Fuels Standard
Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius has signed legislation that will give
a 6.5 cents per gallon tax credit to fuel retailers who meet a Renewable
Fuels Standard (RFS) beginning in 2009. The legislation will play a
major role in increasing the use of ethanol-blended fuels and biodiesel
in Kansas. The Kansas Corn Growers Association and Kansas Grain Sorghum
Producers Association supported the creation of an RFS.
“While Kansas is becoming an increasingly influential player in the
biofuels industry, the use of biofuels in our state lags behind. It
makes sense that our state would encourage the use of these homegrown
fuels,” KCGA and KGSPA stated in joint testimony in support of the RFS.
The ethanol RFS will begin in 2009 at 10 percent and would increase
annually. A dealer reaching the target would receive a 6.5 cents per
gallon tax credit. A retailer coming within two percent of the target
would receive a 4.5 cents per gallon tax credit. Retailers that do not
meet the RFS will not be penalized, but will not receive the tax credit.
The target will increase by one percent every year until 2024 when the
RFS target would reach 25 percent ethanol.
“Our associations have endorsed the 25 x 25 initiative that calls our
nation to get 25 percent of its energy from renewable resources by the
year 2025. By passing this legislation, Kansas will be moving
assertively toward that goal.,” KCGA Executive Director Jere White said.
Biodiesel is also a part of the Kansas RFS. The bill gives a tax credit
of three cents per gallon of biodiesel if the retailer meets the
standard. The biodiesel standard begins at 2 percent in 2009 increasing
two percent annually until 2017. Then, the standard would increase one
percent annually until 2025, when it would reach 25 percent.
Kansas currently has eight ethanol plants producing 215.5 million
gallons of ethanol fuel annually. This summer two more plants, Pratt and
Garden City, are expected to begin production adding an additional 105
million gallons per year, bringing the Kansas production total to 320.5
million gallons per year. Plants in Hayne near Liberal, Lyons, Goodland
and Scandia are currently under construction and will add another 195
million gallons per year of production.
6-7-07--Lumax now
can be used on sorghum until June 30
TOPEKA -- The Kansas Department of Agriculture today announced that the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has approved its request to extend
until June 30 the Section 18 emergency exemption for Lumax herbicide use
on Kansas grain sorghum.
An earlier emergency exemption allowed Lumax to be used until June 15.
Sorghum growers may now use it until June 30.
"Given the planting delays many farmers experienced due to ongoing wet
weather, we asked that the deadline to use Lumax be extended from June
15 to June 30," said Kansas Secretary of Agriculture Adrian Polansky.
When applied according to label directions – and after proper activation
– this herbicide controls broadleaf weeds and annual grasses (excluding
shattercane) in grain sorghum. The controlled weeds include
triazine-resistant, glyphosate-resistant, and acetolactate synthase (ALS)-resistant
Palmer amaranth and waterhemp.
The emergency exemption does outline special conditions for Lumax use on
sorghum. Users must have the label at the time of application, and they
must accept responsibility for failure to perform and for crop damage.
Applicators can access the label online at www.farmassist.com. For
those who do not have Internet access, their retailer will help them
through the process.
The Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association asked the Kansas
Department of Agriculture to apply for the exemption, and it was
originally granted until June 15, 2007.
Lumax Herbicide, which is manufactured by Syngenta Crop Protection, must
be applied following all label directions, restrictions and precautions
on the federal label and as outlined in the authorization notice.
The exemption has several conditions which include:
Application of Lumax® is allowed on grain sorghum fields and has 7-14
day pre-plant application requirement.
Apply at the rate of no more than 2.5 quarts per acre.
A 60-day pre-harvest interval must be observed.
Because Lumax is a restricted-use pesticide, farmers and applicators
must be certified and maintain record of applications following standard
restricted use pesticide record keeping rules
4-27-07--EPA Grants
Exemption Allowing Lumax on Kansas Grain Sorghum
The Environmental Protection Agency approved a specific exemption that
will allow the use of Lumax, a pre-plant herbicide to be used on grain
sorghum in Kansas. Lumax includes the active ingredient mesotrione.
“This is good news for sorghum producers who need pre-plant broadleaf
weed control for their crop especially in cases where they are
experiencing herbicide resistance issues,” according to KGSPA Executive
Director Jere White. “Our growers were able to use Lumax last year
through an emergency exemption.”
The Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association had requested that the
Kansas Department of Agriculture (KDA) apply for the exemption. KDA
received a specific exemption for Lumax this week from EPA. KDA is
responsible for making sure the conditions of the specific exemption are
met. The exemption is in effect until June 15, 2007 (extended to June
30).
Lumax Herbicide, which is manufactured by Syngenta Crop Protection, must
be applied following all label directions, restrictions and precautions
on the federal label and as outlined in the authorization notice.
The exemption has several conditions which include:
*Application of Lumax® is allowed on grain sorghum fields and has a 7-14
day pre-plant application requirement.
*Apply at the rate of no more than 2.5 quarts per acre.
*A 60-day pre-harvest interval must be observed.
*Because Lumax is a restricted-use pesticide, farmers and applicators
must be certified and maintain record of applications following standard
restricted use pesticide record keeping rules.
For more information, contact KGSPA at 800-489-2676.
Steps to Access the Lumax on Sorghum Indemnified Section 18 (Kansas)
Access to the Indemnified Label
1. Go to the http://www.farmassist.com website
2. If first time user, then register as a new user. Click o the "I
accept" button.
3. On the left side of the screen select Products then Syngenta Crop
Protection then Special Labels
4. At the top of the ensuing screen, click the "here" (If searching for
indemnified labels, click here.)
5. Click the Section 18 box, select Kansas, select Lumax
6. Click the Submit button near the bottom.
7. On the next window you should see information on the Section 18. Then
click on sorghum.
8. Final step is to accept the terms and conditions of the indemnified
label by clicking on the “I accept” button. Now the label will be
available for viewing and printing.
Note: If you have trouble getting the label, make sure you did not miss
Step 4. If you still have difficulty, then call the Syngenta Customer
Resource Center at 1-866-796-4368 (option 2).
4-20-07--Kansas
Sorghum Producers Welcome Return of MiloPro 4L Herbicide
After being off the market for several years, MiloPro 4L, is once again
available to Kansas grain sorghum growers. For over a decade, the Kansas
Grain Sorghum Producers Association (KGSPA) and National Sorghum
Producers (NSP) have worked to return this important preemergent weed
control chemical to the grower’s toolbox.
The product, which contains the active ingredient propazine, has
received a section 3 conditional label. The section 3 label is a
conditional label for three years while the manufacturer Albaugh Inc.
and the National Sorghum Producers (NSP) work with the Environmental
Protection Agency to document water safety in certain areas of the
Sorghum Belt.
“This is important for our sorghum producers in Kansas,” according to
KGSPA Executive Director Jere White. “Our growers need options when
controlling weeds,” he said. “It is an important accomplishment to have
the use of MiloPro again.”
White is chairman of the Triazine Network, a nationwide coalition of
state and national commodity and farm organizations, as well as hundreds
of individual farmers who have been instrumental in ensuring the growers
concerns were considered in the regulatory effort. The special review is
coming to an end with a positive outcome for growers who use triazine
herbicides like atrazine, simazine and propazine.
In 2006, EPA released a tolerance assessment for propazine which led to
its actions to issue a label allowing the use of propazine on grain
sorghum. KGSPA submitted comments in favor of the propazine tolerance
assessment.
“Propazine is one of the triazine herbicides that can be of great use to
grain sorghum producers. Few crop protection tools have been made
available for grain sorghum because of relatively small acreages,” KGSPA
stated in its comments to EPA. “A label for the use of propazine on
grain sorghum would be a positive step forward for our producers.”
NSP CEO Tim Lust said that sorghum growers have expressed interest in
using MiloPro 4L again.
“Producers have continued to ask us over the years to bring this product
back to the market. We are excited to communicate that this product is
available again for producers who are looking to add sorghum back into
their crop rotations.”
Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association represents sorghum growers in
regulatory and legislative issues. KGSPA is affiliated with the National
Sorghum Producers. Visit www.ksgrains.com for more information.
1-31-07--National Grain
Sorghum Producers Foundation Announces Alliance with Valent to Develop
Herbicide Tolerant Grain Sorghum
Innovative Non-GMO with High Crop
Tolerance to Valent's Leading Grass Herbicide
San Diego, California; Walnut Creek,
California (January 31, 2007)—Cibus LLC, the U.S. plant breeding
technology company and The National Grain Sorghum Producers Foundation (NGSPF),
which is affiliated with the National Sorghum Producers, today announced
a partnership with Valent U.S.A. Corporation, a leading provider of
innovative crop protection products, to develop non-GMO herbicide
tolerant grain sorghum.
Valent brings its expertise in herbicide development and management to
an alliance between Cibus and NGSPF. The collaboration pioneers a new
standard for providing valuable traits to farmers while avoiding the
unknown and potentially unintended consequences associated with GMO
crops. Cibus’ proprietary gene conversion technology, known as the Rapid
Trait Development System (RTDS), will be used to develop this new trait
in grain sorghum, providing high tolerance levels to Valent’s leading
postemergence grass herbicide brand, Select Max® Herbicide with Inside
Technology™. This will significantly enhance the productivity and
profitability of sorghum farming operations.
“With both Valent and Cibus’ missions to provide innovative and
sustainable technologies to the agribusiness community, this
collaboration will benefit growers and be a natural fit for us,” says
Trevor Thorley, President/COO, Valent U.S.A. Corporation. “Cibus’ proven
technology opens new doors for all parties, and will help growers more
easily produce safe and abundant food. Given the global reach of
Valent’s parent company, Sumitomo Chemical Company, Ltd., a world leader
in the discovery of crop protection and plant enhancement products, we
look forward to exploring opportunities with Cibus for other crops
around the world.”
“Sorghum producers have needed some new grass control options for quite
some time,” said NGSPF President Bruce Maunder. “Our partnership with
Cibus and now Valent will allow for much-needed technology development
in our crop. Once it makes its way into producer fields, it should help
increase both yields and profitability for sorghum producers.”
“This is an exciting project,” said NSP CEO Tim Lust. “With new grass
control options, producers will begin considering planting sorghum in
fields where that may not be an option now. This is a clear win for
sorghum producers.”
NGSPF plans to use revenues derived from this partnership to reinvest in
sorghum research and development as part of a long-term program for
sorghum improvement. And since RTDS can develop non-GMO traits faster
and at lower cost than transgenic alternatives, this will save farmers
an estimated $25 million per crop.
The RTDS process works through the cell’s natural process of gene
repair. Every time a cell copies DNA, it makes “scrivener” errors or
spelling mistakes. These variations happen all the time, which is how
natural variation occurs. Cibus’ technology harnesses the cell’s own
natural DNA repair machinery to correct such spelling mistakes, thus
directing DNA repair enzymes to correct and repair the targeted gene in
a specific way in order to produce a desired trait. The process, in its
precision, is similar to altering a single letter in a word contained
within a large book. Nothing in the genome, other than the changes
directed by the process, is altered by this approach.
“RTDS promises a revolution in genetics—a limitless range of value added
new products that are acceptable to environmentally-conscious consumers
and governments, and help farmers solve their toughest pest management
problems,” says Dr. Keith Walker, President of Cibus. “RTDS technology
can be used to create non-GMO plants tolerant to most herbicide
chemistries currently marketed to farmers, such as a Select Max®
tolerant grain sorghum. But the opportunities also include healthier
oils and nutraceutical oils in crops such as canola and soybeans plus
many other valuable traits.”
“A recent Kansas State University survey of more than 600 sorghum
producers from across the United States identified grassy weed control
for grain sorghum as their No. 1 research priority. Select Max® provides
fast and complete control of emerged annual and perennial grassy weeds
in over 100 crops, including soybean, sunflower, cotton, and sugar
beets,” says Joseph Short, Product Manager for Valent. “Sorghum
producers will see increased convenience, yield and profits when they
can selectively control grasses with an over-the-top application of
Select Max®.”
11-16-06--National Grain
Sorghum Producers Foundation Announces Collaboration to Develop Non-GMO
Traits in Grain Sorghum
The National Grain Sorghum Producers
Foundation (NGSPF) and Cibus LLC today announced their collaboration to
develop and commercialize a new type of Non-GMO grain sorghum using
technology known as Rapid Trait Development System (RTDS).
"Cibus, the company that developed RTDS, has
some outstanding scientists who were able to develop herbicide
resistance without going to another species," said Dr. Bruce Maunder,
President of NGSPF and formerly Sorghum Research Director/Breeder for
DEKALB Genetics. "They have a proven track record and they've already
successfully done this with both rice and canola."
Maunder said that the Cibus technology
provides an easier way to obtain desirable traits and when successful,
it will also take less time to get into producers' fields.
The collaboration between NGSPF and Cibus
grew out of a need to control weeds and grasses in sorghum so that
growers could realize improved yields and better profitability.
"Every time we have a weed problem, we have
a tendency to reduce yields," said Maunder. "Since we grow sorghum under
less rainfall than other crops, the competition from weeds causes us
even greater losses because the weeds have a tendency to go after that
moisture in many cases faster than the sorghum crop does. Anytime we can
make the crop more drought tolerant by giving it less competition, its
going to just enable sorghum to be a better fit for the producer."
Maunder said that current grass control
options for sorghum are incomplete and expensive.
The new trait will be a departure from the
glyphosate-tolerant varieties developed in other crops, and will help
producers who have problems with johnsongrass, shattercane, sorghum
aulum and volunteer glyphosate-tolerant crops. "It gives them more ease
of control," said Maunder.
“Like many farmers, I need sorghum in my
crop rotation,” said National Sorghum Producers (NSP) President Greg
Shelor of Minneola, Kansas. “But to increase profitability, we have some
basic needs like better grass and weed control technology. We also need
to increase our yields.” These comments are consistent with a recent
market research study conducted by Kansas State University surveying
more than 600 sorghum producers from across the United States that
identified grassy weed control, improved yield, drought tolerance and
new uses or markets for sorghum grain as the most important areas for
research.
NGSPF was established to promote and fund
the improvement of sorghum and its uses both nationally and
internationally. It is affiliated with the National Sorghum Producers,
an organization that works to ensure the profitability of sorghum
production through market development, research, education and
legislative representation.
Follow this link for more information and audio clips
11-2-06--Kansas
Commodity Classic to Feature National Leaders, Farm Bill Discussions
Corn, wheat, grain sorghum and cotton producers will gather in Salina on
Tuesday, Nov. 14 to discuss a variety of issues including farm policy,
marketing, ethanol and legislative issues at the Kansas Commodity
Classic. The Classic will begin at 9 a.m. on November 14 at the Salina
Holiday Inn.
Kansas Secretary of Agriculture Adrian Polansky will start off the
event, followed by a market briefing by ProExporter’s Bill Holbrook, and
a farm bill panel of Kansas growers who are in national leadership
positions with the National Sorghum Producers (NSP), National Corn
Growers Association (NCGA) and National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG).
“We have a unique situation this year. Kansas growers are in leadership
positions for the NCGA, NSP and NAWG. These growers are on the forefront
of national discussions of many issues, including the upcoming farm bill
discussions,” according to Jere White, executive director of the Kansas
Corn Growers Association and Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association.
NSP President Greg Shelor of Minneola, NCGA President Ken McCauley of
White Cloud, and NAWG President-Elect John Thaemert of Sylvan Grove,
will be featured on a panel discussion of the national associations’
plans for the upcoming farm bill discussions.
Following a luncheon, participants can participate in two of six
breakout sessions.
The first session will feature, Market Outlook for Kansas Commodities
with Dr. Mike Woolverton, KSU; Biofuels & Other Value-Added Investment
Opportunities for Kansas Farmers with Jesse McCurry, Kennedy and Coe,
and Kansas Water Update with Tracy Streeter, Kansas Water Office. The
second session will feature Transportation Outlook for Kansas
Commodities with Dr. Michael Babcock, KSU; Kansas Legislative Outlook
with Jere White, KCGA & KGSPA; Dana Peterson, KAWG; Brad Harrelson,
Kansas Farm Bureau, and Carbon Sequestration Credits, A New Opportunity
for Kansas Farmers with Chad Martin, Iowa Farm Bureau.
“Every year, we work to put together a program that will benefit our
growers in many ways,” White said. “You won’t find a program that offers
more in one day than the Kansas Commodity Classic.”
This program is offered free to growers, and membership in an
association is not required. Participants will be treated to a buffet
lunch and an ice cream break sponsored by the Kansas Dairy Association
and Commission. 2006 Kansas Commodity Classic sponsors are: Syngenta
Crop Protection, Monsanto, ICM, Inc., CoBank and the Ethanol Promotion
and Information Council (EPIC).

9-20-06--SHELOR
PRESENTS FARM BILL RECOMMENDATIONS TO HOUSE AG COMMITTEE
NSP President Greg Shelor of Minneola, Kan. testified on Sept. 20 to the
House Agriculture Committee regarding the 2007 farm bill. Before
presenting policy recommendations, Shelor reflected on the 2002 farm bill
process. "All of us -- the agricultural commodity leaders, general farm
groups and this committee -- all worked together to develop that bill and
supported that piece of legislation though the legislative process. I hope
we can duplicate that effort as we work on re-authorizing our farm laws."
Shelor said that farm policy might look different in five years because of
the current budget situation and any potential WTO agreement. "If that is
the case, I ask that you keep in mind the cyclical nature of the
agriculture economy, especially in the semi-arid region of Kansas where I
farm. Any new farm programs need to be available to family operations like
mine that produce in areas that can have limited rainfall. Farm programs
provide a significant safety net when the agriculture economy slows down."
Shelor asked that the Committee preserve equitable relationships between
commodities in the commodity title. He also asked the Committee consider
sorghum in the energy and conservation titles. Representative Jerry Moran
of Kansas' Big First District voiced concern that USDA has not yet fully
implemented equalized county level loan rates as intended in the 2002 farm
bill.
8-28-06--Kansas Corn and
Grain Sorghum Associations Support EPA’s Favorable Atrazine, Triazine
Findings
The Kansas Corn Growers Association (KCGA) and Kansas Grain Sorghum
Producers Association (KGSPA) submitted comments in support of EPA’s
favorable Cumulative Risk Assessments for the triazine herbicides. The
comment period ended August 21.
In its assessment released in June, EPA concluded, "..the Agency has
found that there is a reasonable certainty that no harm will result to
the general U.S. population, infants, children, or other major
identifiable subgroups of consumers from aggregate exposure…to
cumulative residues of atrazine and the other chlorinated triazine
pesticides."
EPA also released a Reregistration Eligibility Decision for simazine and
a tolerance assessment for propazine that could lead to EPA issuing a
label allowing the use of propazine on grain sorghum. These actions
bring the special review of the Triazine near an end.
“We weren’t asking for much, just that EPA used good science to make a
decision on the Triazine herbicides,” White said. “If sound scientific
research proved that the Triazines posed a danger, we were ready to
accept that. However, the research proved what we believed all along—the
triazines are safe.”
KCGA and KGSPA were founding members the Triazine Network, a nationwide
coalition of state and national commodity and farm organizations, as
well as hundreds of individual farmers. The Triazine Network was formed
in 1995 after the EPA announced the special review of the Triazine
herbicides atrazine, simazine and cyanazine. Cyanazine was later removed
after the registrant voluntarily offered to phase out its use. Propazine
was added based on the intent of a registrant to expand the existing
greenhouse label to include grain sorghum. The Network made the
unprecedented move of bringing growers of more than 30 commodities to
the table for the special review.
Jere White, Executive Director of KCGA and KGSPA has been chairman of
the Network since its inception and on many occasions participated in
meetings, hearings and technical briefings giving the growers’
perspective, including the importance and usage, to EPA officials.
“EPA told us they had never had grower involvement like this,” White
said. “The special review process is open to stakeholders and I can’t
think of anyone who had a bigger stake in this process than growers. Our
network included some of the top names in agriculture across the board.
Without the expertise and commitment of our members, we would not have
succeeded.” “We’ve had a lot of things thrown at us since 1994 from fear
mongering to frogs,” White said. “But it all comes down to using good
scientific studies to reach the decision. We applaud EPA for sticking to
the science.”
In their comments, the associations supported EPA’s positive risk
assessment of the triazines. In addition, KGSPA also supported the
registration of propazine for use on grain sorghum.
The comments submitted to the EPA docket stated: “The Triazine
herbicides are a vitally important tool for our growers here in Kansas,
especially the herbicide atrazine. We would like to applaud the EPA’s
careful and science-based review of the triazines. We were pleased to
see EPA’s favorable Triazine Cumulative Risk Assessment comments that
show that EPA finds no measurable risk from exposure to Triazine
herbicides. This determination was based on sound science.”
The associations applauded EPA for the openness of the process and for
its willingness to use sound scientific research: “. . .the positive
outcome in this process has bolstered growers’ confidence in EPA and has
created an improved feeling of trust as our growers now are assured that
EPA is using a thoughtful and science-based process to arrive at
decisions that affect their farming operations.”
8-22-06-- NSP Board
Votes Unanimously to Proceed with Creating a National Sorghum Checkoff
At their summer board meeting, the National Sorghum Producers (NSP)
Board of Directors voted unanimously to proceed with the process of
creating a national sorghum checkoff to fund critical research for
sorghum producers.
"Like many farmers, I need sorghum in my crop rotation," said NSP
President Greg Shelor of Minneola, Kan. "But to increase profitability,
we have some basic needs like better grass and weed control technology.
We also need to increase our yields."
In May, Shelor appointed NSP President-Elect Dale Murden of Monte Alto,
Texas to serve as Chairman of the National Sorghum Checkoff Committee.
The committee, made up of producers and state sorghum staff, was charged
with the task of assessing if a national sorghum checkoff would help
meet critical producer needs. The committee was asked to offer its
recommendations at the August board meeting held in Lubbock, Texas.
"After several meetings, phone calls and a lot of research, our
committee felt that a national sorghum checkoff would help producers
across the country to realize better returns and profitability through a
more focused research approach," said Murden. "Profitability is
certainly what drives producers and what will drive the priorities of a
national sorghum checkoff."
NSP CEO Tim Lust said that the NSP board has been evaluating the
possibility of a national sorghum checkoff for quite some time. "If we
can meet our most pressing needs, producers will continue to see
expanded opportunities for sorghum. There is substantial growth in the
forage sorghum market and with the utilization of sorghum for ethanol
production."
Lust said that there is a need to increase sorghum's fermentable,
extractable sugars to compete with other feedstocks utilized in ethanol
production. He also said with the sorghum genome being fully sequenced
soon, it will be critical to exploit this scientific breakthrough to
help sorghum producers become more productive and profitable in the
future.
Directors on the NSP board are now getting feedback from their
sponsoring organizations to bring recommendations forward. If you have
any questions regarding the process of creating a National Sorghum
Checkoff, please call the NSP office at (806) 749-3478.
8-4-06--Kansas Corn, Sorghum Groups Applaud
Liberal Ethanol Groundbreaking
Two Conestoga Plants Will Add 165 Million Gallons of Production
Over 100 people gathered Thursday to witness the groundbreaking ceremony
of Conestoga Energy Partners LLC second ethanol plant project near
Liberal. The plant, named Arkalon Energy, will produce 110 million
gallons of ethanol per year. Its sister plant at Garden City, which
broke ground in May, will produce 55 million gallons per year. These two
plants will produce 165 million gallons of ethanol, which would nearly
double the state’s current production of 170 million gallons of the
renewable fuel.
The Kansas Corn Growers Association and Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers
Association support the increase in use and production of ethanol in
Kansas to build markets for corn and grain sorghum. A bushel of corn or
sorghum will produce between 2.7 and 2.8 gallons of ethanol, a clean
burning, renewable, domestically produced fuel.
Governor Kathleen Sebelius, who chairs the Governors’ Ethanol Coalition,
spoke at the event and commended the group for its accomplishment.
"If biofuels are in the future for the United States, and I think they
are, then Kansas is at the forefront of that future,” she said.
The plant will be located about 7 miles east of Liberal on Highway 54.
The $170 million project will produce 110 million gallons of fuel grade
ethanol per year, and 840,000 tons wet distillers grains that will be
marketed to livestock producers. Once in operation, the plant will hire
50-55 employees with total annual salaries of over $2 million.
Colwich-based ICM, Inc. will supply the plant technology, engineering
and construction services. Rail service will be provided by Union
Pacific Railroad. The plant is expected to begin producing ethanol in
early 2008.
Mike Bryan of BBI International, the company that facilitated the
group’s efforts on both plant projects, said the plant would bring
positive economic growth to Liberal and the surrounding area. In
addition to the jobs and increased markets for grains, Bryan said the
community would see other tangible results that as a result of the
ethanol plant. “You will see new businesses in your community,” he said.
“Businesses like a new restaurant, a new electronic shop, or maybe a new
hotel.”
ICM is completing construction on the Prairie Horizons Agri Energy’s 40
million gallon plant in Phillipsburg. That plant, which was also
developed with the assistance of BBI International, is expected to begin
producing ethanol this month.
07-27-06--Zimmerman
Reelected to Represent Sorghum Industry on US Grains Council
Jay Zimmerman, sorghum producer from South Haven, was reelected to
represent the sorghum industry on the U.S. Grains Council at the
Council’s annual meeting this week. The council works around the world
to build international markets for U.S. barley, corn and sorghum and
their products.
Zimmerman is a member of the Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission,
representing growers in south-central Kansas (District 6).
USGC officers and board members elected are:
Vic Miller of the Iowa Corn Promotion Board was elected chairman and
will provide leadership as well as speak and travel on behalf of the
Council and in support of its efforts. Also elected were Dale Artho of
the Texas Grain Sorghum Producers Board as vice chairman; Jim Broten of
the North Dakota Barley Council as treasurer; Rick Fruth of the Ohio
Corn Marketing Board as secretary; and Kenneth Hobbie of the U.S. Grains
Council as the president and CEO. Davis Anderson of GROWMARK, Inc. will
serve as past chairman.
In addition, six directors were elected to serve two-year terms on the
USGC Board of Directors. Jay Zimmerman of Kansas Grain Sorghum
Commission was elected as the sorghum sector director; Gary Marshall of
Missouri Corn Merchandising Council as state checkoff sector director;
and Don Fast of the Montana Wheat & Barley Committee as the barley
sector director. Elected as at-large directors were Alan Tiemann of the
Nebraska Corn Board and Terry Vinduska of the Kansas Corn Commission.
Current directors Kenneth Greene, Illinois Corn Marketing Board
(at-large director), Gerry Salzman, Case IH and New Holland (at-large
director), David Lyons, Louis Dreyfus Corporation (agribusiness sector
director) and Tim Burrack, Iowa Corn Promotion Board (corn sector
director), will complete their terms in July 2007.
The U.S. Grains Council is a private, non-profit partnership of farmers
and agribusinesses committed to building and expanding international
markets for U.S. barley, corn, grain sorghum and their products. The
Council is headquartered in Washington, D.C. and has 10 international
offices that oversee programs in more than 80 countries. Support for the
Council comes from its members and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission is a nine-member growers board that
determines how to use the half-cent per bushel grain sorghum checkoff in
the areas of foreign and domestic market development, research,
promotion and education.
5-25-06--Growers
Celebrate Garden City Ethanol Groundbreaking
About 150 people attended a groundbreaking ceremony Wednesday for a 55
million gallon ethanol plant at Garden City. Dirt work being done on the
site went on while leaders of Conestoga Energy Partners LLC outlined
their plans for the plant. The Kansas Corn Growers Association and
Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association congratulated the group on
beginning the construction phase of the project.
The Garden City ethanol plant will use over
19 million bushels of corn and grain sorghum to produce 55 million
gallons of ethanol and 420,000 tons of wet distillers grains per year.
The total cost of the project is $85 million and will be built by
Kansas-based ICM, Inc. When completed, the plant will hire between 33
and 40 employees with a payroll of over $1.4 million.
“This is a positive for the economy of Garden City area and its
surrounding agricultural industry. This plant will bring increased
revenues and jobs for the community, build markets for growers and offer
a high quality feed for livestock feeders” according to KCGA/KGSPA
Executive Director Jere White. “At the same time, this plant will help
us increase our energy independence by producing a clean, renewable and
domestically produced fuel.”
Organizers expect the plant to be completed and operational by August of
2007. The plant is being built next to WindRiver Grains, LLC. The
ethanol plant plans to source its grain from WindRiver.
Kansas currently has seven ethanol plants that produce 170 million
gallons of ethanol per year. A 40 million gallon plant at Phillipsburg
is under construction and expected to be completed this summer. Other
plant projects are in various stages of planning in Kansas. In addition
to the Garden City project, Conestoga Energy Partners LLC is working to
complete plans for a 110 million gallon ethanol plant located near
Liberal. Conestoga Energy Partners LLC is working with Colorado-based
BBI International to develop both the Garden City and Liberal projects.
For more information on Kansas corn, grain sorghum and ethanol, visit
www.ksgrains.com.
5-18-06--Kansas Sorghum
Producers Applaud Emergency Exemption for Lumax
The Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association leaders say they are
pleased with the Enviromental Protection Agency’s approval of an
emergency exemption that allows Lumax, a pre-plant herbicide, to be used
on grain sorghum in Kansas. KGSPA submitted a letter supporting the
exemption and worked with the interested parties to obtain the emergency
exemption.
KGSPA Executive Director Jere White praised EPA for their action. “This
is a case where we took a weed control issue to EPA, and the agency
listened and responded,” he said.
White reminds growers that this is an emergency exemption, and
requirements must be followed.
“You can’t just go out and use Lumax on grain sorghum,” White said.
“This is an emergency exemption and there are very specific requirements
a grower must meet. In fact, before the producer can even get a copy of
the label he must register and accept a liability agreement for this
product.”
Kansas State University and the Kansas Department of Agriculture issued
a detailed news release about the emergency exemption, printed below:
Lumax Herbicide Now Registered For Use On Grain Sorghum In Kansas
MANHATTAN, Kan. - The Kansas Department of Agriculture has announced
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency approval of a section 18 emergency
exemption allowing Lumax herbicide use on grain sorghum in Kansas, said
Dave Regehr, K-State Extension weed management specialist.
Lumax is a product of Syngenta. When applied according to the label and
after proper activation, this herbicide controls annual grass (excluding
shattercane) and broadleaf weeds in grain sorghum, including triazine-resistant,
glyphosate-resistant, and ALS-resistant Palmer amaranth and waterhemp,
Regehr said.
There are special conditions pertaining to Lumax use on sorghum, he
said.
"The section 18 is an indemnified label, meaning that end users must
accept all responsibility for failure to perform and for crop damage
from Lumax use on sorghum," the agronomist said. "Applicators must be in
possession of the label at the time of application. The label can be
accessed online at www.farmassist.com only after indicating acceptance
of liability. Applicators without internet access will need to obtain
the label from their retailer, who will walk them through the process."
To access the Lumax on sorghum label:
1) Go to http://www.farmassist.com Web site.
2) If a first-time user, register as a new user.
3) On the left side of the screen, select Products, then Special Labels.
4) Near the top of the ensuing screen, click the "here" which will bring
up a page called "My Product Labels." Select "Section 18," State:
"Kansas," Product: "Lumax," and Crop Groups "Sorghum." On the ensuing
screen, locate the "For Use On" section and select "Sorghum." This will
bring up the Waiver of Liability and Indemnification Agreement.
5) If you choose to accept this agreement, scroll to the bottom and
click "Accept." On the next page, under the heading "My Product Labels,"
you´ll find a link titled "Lumax Section 18 Indemnified Label on
Sorghum." Click on that link to download the pdf section 18 Lumax label.
"If producers have trouble getting the label, they should be sure they
did not miss Step 4," Regehr said. If they´ve tried these steps and
still have problems, he suggested they call the Syngenta Customer
Resource Center at 1-866-796-4368.
The label spells out use directions, Regehr said, including:
* Apply at the rate of 2.5 quart Lumax per acre.
* Make applications 7 to 14 days preplant.
* Use Concep III-treated grain sorghum seed only (not forage sorghum or
sudangrass)
* Minimize disturbance of the herbicide-treated soil barrier at
planting.
* If emerged weeds are present, the label has recommendations
adjuvant to improve burndown activity.
* Do not apply to emerged grain sorghum.
* Do not apply on coarse-textured soils.
If a Lumax-treated sorghum crop is lost to a natural disaster, grain
sorghum may be replanted immediately, Regehr said. In that event,
producers should see the federal label for Lumax on corn (http://www.cdms.net/manuf/manuf.asp)
for crop rotation guidelines and weed response tables, he explained.
Regehr advised that adequate precipitation is needed for activation.
"Approach Lumax on sorghum with caution," he added. "Lumax has been
tested on grain sorghum largely under optimum conditions. As with any
new herbicide, we should expect some surprises."
5-5-06--Ethanol Featured at
Kansas Corn, Sorghum Exhibit at Great Bend 3i Show
A large outdoor exhibit at the 3i Show will feature ethanol-powered
vehicles and information on ethanol. The booth, sponsored by Kansas Corn
and Grain Sorghum Commissions and Associations will be located outside
the main exhibit building.
“If you have questions about ethanol, you’ll want to visit this booth,”
according to Sue Schulte, KCGA/KGSPA Director of Communications. “We’ll
be ready to answer your questions about Kansas ethanol, E10 and E85
ethanol blended fuels and flexible fuel vehicles.”
On display will be the Chevrolet Tahoe that GM has provided to the State
of Kansas and other states that belong to the Governor’s Ethanol
Coalition. Kansas Corn Commission will also have an flexible fuel
vehicle on display. The National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition and Kansas
Department of Agriculture will assist in the exhibit.
The Kansas Corn Commission, United Bio Energy and the NEVC are working
on an effort to add at least 20 E85 stations in Kansas in 2006.
“Consumer awareness and interest in ethanol and especially E85 fuel
continues to grow,” Schulte said. “We’ve been promoting ethanol since
the 1970s. Increasing production and use of ethanol in Kansas continues
to be a priority for our organizations.”
AgriTalk, the nationally syndicated agriculture talk radio program will
broadcast live from the ethanol exhibit on Thursday from 10 to 11 a.m.
On Friday, the Kansas Corn Commission will host an AgriTalk Ethanol Pump
Tour stop at the Golden Belt 66 station located at 10th and Main in
Great Bend from 9 a.m. to noon. Agritalk will broadcast live from the
event. E85, 85 percent ethanol fuel, will be sold for $1.85 from 9 a.m.
to noon. In addition to the discounted price, drivers with flexible fuel
vehicles will receive prizes and giveaway items when they fill up with
E85.
Visit www.kgsrains.com for more information on Kansas corn, sorghum and
ethanol.
3-30-06--Western Kansas Grain Sorghum Commissioners Elected
The Kansas Department of
Agriculture today announced the names of producers from the
western third of the state who were elected to the state’s five
commodity commissions – corn, grain sorghum, soybeans, sunflowers
and wheat.
Ballots were cast between January 15 and March 1 and were counted
at the Kansas Department of Agriculture during March. The newly
elected commissioners will take office April 1 and will serve for
three years. This was the second election cycle for districts one,
two and three under the new law that privatized the commissions in
July 2000. Previously, commissioners were appointed by the
governor.
Commissioners-elect for the Kansas
Grain Sorghum Commission are:
District one – Richard Calliham, who grows corn, grain sorghum,
soybeans, sunflowers and wheat in Thomas County. Calliham was
reelected.
District two – Greg Graff, who grows grain sorghum, corn and wheat
on a family farm in Wichita County. Graff was reelected.
District three – Boyd Funk, who grows grain sorghum with his wife,
Jeanine, in Finney County. He graduated from Kansas State
University in 1975 with a degree in agricultural engineering, and
he also serves on the county drainage ditch board. Funk fills a
seat vacated by Don Rome of Garden City.
Corn, grain sorghum, soybean, sunflower and wheat growers in the
eastern third of the state can expect to receive information by
mail this fall outlining the 2007 election procedure. Also,
commission representatives will visit field day events to
distribute information.
Affected by the 2007 election will be districts seven, eight and
nine. District seven includes Atchison, Brown, Doniphan, Jackson,
Jefferson, Leavenworth, Marshall, Nemaha, Pottawatomie, Riley and
Wyandotte counties. District eight includes Anderson, Chase,
Coffey, Douglas, Franklin, Geary, Johnson, Linn, Lyon, Miami,
Morris, Osage, Shawnee and Wabaunsee counties. District nine
includes Allen, Bourbon, Butler, Chautauqua, Cherokee, Cowley,
Crawford, Elk, Greenwood, Labette, Montgomery, Neosho, Wilson and
Woodson counties.
Grain growers who plan to campaign for a seat on one of the
commissions must collect on an official petition form 20
signatures from eligible voters to be included on the 2007 ballot.
Official petition forms will be available through the Kansas
Department of Agriculture or one of the grain commodity
commissions.
No more than five signatures from any one county will be used to
qualify a candidate. Eligible voters are Kansas residents who will
reach age 18 before the election and have been growing corn, grain
sorghum, soybeans, sunflowers or wheat during the last three
years. The filing deadline for candidates is Nov. 30, 2006.
3-24-06--Corn,
Sorghum Growers Applaud Passage of Bill to Lower E85 Fuel Tax
A bill that will lower the fuel tax on E85 ethanol fuel passed the
Kansas House and Senate and is on its way to the governor. The
Kansas Corn Growers Association and Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers
Association worked for passage of the bill and applauded the
legislature’s action. The bill would change the way the state
taxes E85, 85% ethanol fuel, by basing the tax on energy content
instead of a flat tax rate. The result is a drop in the tax for
E85 from 24 cents per gallon to 17 cents per gallon, a seven cent
savings for E85 users.
“This bill does two things. It addresses an inequity in the state
motor fuels tax, and it will encourage the use of E85 fuel,”
according to Jere White, Executive Director of KGSPA and KCGA.”E85
fuel does have a lower energy content than gasoline and a car
travels fewer miles on E85 than it does on gas. If a state motor
fuel tax is based on a per-gallon fee, the E85 users are are being
unfairly penalized because they are paying more taxes per mile.”
E85 fuel is used in flexible fuel vehicles that operate on any
combination of gas and ethanol up to 85 percent ethanol. The use
of E85 fuel is expanding in Kansas, and is now available at ten
stations in nine cities across the state of Kansas. At least 20
more E85 stations are expected to come on line this year thanks to
an effort by the Kansas Corn Commission, United BioEnergy and the
National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition.
While E85 fuel offers slightly lower mileage than regular
unleaded, motorists find the drop in mileage is often offset by a
lower price at the pump. The ethanol in E85 is domestically
produced, boasts over 100 octane and is a cleaner fuel.
Kansas currently has seven ethanol plants that produce 170 million
gallons of ethanol per year. An eight plant is under construction
at Phillipsburg and several others are on the drawing board.
The climate for expanding ethanol fuel use in Kansas continues to
improve.
--The state offers a 40 percent tax credit to fuel retailers to
offset infrastructure costs of adding E85 fuel. Retailers can
couple the state credit with a 30 percent federal tax credit to
offset up to 70 percent of their E85 infrastructure costs.
--The state offers a $750 tax credit for taxpayers who purchase a
flexible fuel vehicle and use at least 500 gallons of ethanol.
--In 2005, the Kansas Legislature approved a bill that removed the
labeling requirement for 10 percent ethanol blended fuel. Since
the law was enacted in July, 2005, ethanol sales in Kansas have
increased over 600 percent.
Kansas E85 Stations (as of March 2006)
COFFEYVILLE
Bordertown II, 2708 South Walnut
BIRD CITY
Frontier Equity Exchange, 209 West Highway 36
EMPORIA
S & S Oil Cardlock #1, 711 Anderson Street
GARNETT
Petro Plus, 120 S Maple Street (Highway 59)
GIRARD
Producers Coop, 300 E. St. John,
GREAT BEND
Bird Express, 1000 Main Street
Moeder Oil Company, Inc., 2302 Rail Road Avenue
HAYS
Power Plus, 3505 Vine St (I-70 access)
MAIZE
Maize Kwik Shop #728, 5340 N. Maize Rd
TOPEKA
Capital City Oil, 4141 NW Lower Silver Lake Road
E85 coming soon to Brewster, Goodland & Sublette. At least 20 more
on the way!
2-10-06--Kansas
Grower is National Sorghum President
Minneola grain sorghum grower Greg Shelor became the new
National Sorghum Producers president at the NSP delegate session
during Grain Congress in San Anotonio Saturday. Shelor is also
president of the Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association.
Before being elected NSP President, Shelor served as NSP’s Vice
President of Legislation.
Shelor’s presidency marks a new beginning for NSP. In August 2005,
the national organization celebrated its 50th anniversary, changed
its structure and also changed its name from the National Grain
Sorghum Producers to National Sorghum Producers. The result was a
streamlined board of directors and the creation of a delegate body
that guides association policy. Shelor is the first president to
be elected under NSP’s new structure.
Kansas growers now serving on the new NSP Board of Directors are
Shelor; Jeff Filinger, Cuba, both of whom represent Kansas Grain
Sorghum Producers Association, and representing the Kansas Grain
Sorghum Commission are Bill Greving, Prairie View, and Jeff Casten,
Quenemo.
The delegate body is formed from members and industry supporters.
The delegates will serve one-year terms, elect the the board of
directors and president-elect and recommend organizational
direction and bylaw changes to the board of directors. The
smaller, elected board made up of 15 directors will set the
organizational direction and will ensure the organization is
staying on mission. Standing committees and work teams, made up of
producers and professionals, also will contribute t |