Kansas

Grain Sorghum

Leader Update Archive

SORGHUM LEADER UPDATE

 

April 18, 2008

Governor Signs Commodity Commissions Bill

Governor Kathleen Sebelius this week signed HB2897, the commodity commissions bill. Here are the provisions of the final version of the bill:

--Doubles the assessment authority for the corn and grain sorghum commissions from  5 mills (1/2 cent) per bushel 10 mills (1 cent) per bushel

--Doubles the assessment authority for the wheat commission 10 mills (1 cent) per bushel to 20 mills (2 cents) per bushel.

--Changes the assessment authority for the soybean commission from 20 mills (2 cents) per bushel to one half of 1 percent of the net market price received by the grower (mirrors the national checkoff).

--Changes the assessment authority for the sunflower commission from 7.5 mills per bushel to six cents per hundredweight.

--Prohibits assessments for any commodity to be collected while a national checkoff program for that commodity remains in effect and reinstates state collections upon the withdrawal of a national checkoff program for that commodity.

--Allows each commission, by majority approval of the that commission, to appoint a first purchaser as a member of the Commission in addition to the other two potential at-large members provided by current law.

--Requires the commissions to provide a listing of expenditures in their annual report to the legislature. This is in addition to the current requirement to provide details of projects, supported research and an annual audit.

--Prohibits commissions from engaging in lobbying as defined in KSA 46-225. However, nothing in this prohibition would be construed to prohibit any commission from engaging in any action designed to market the commodity or products directly to a foreign government or political subdivision of a foreign government

Kansas: Too Dry and Too Wet

It is a typical Kansas spring: southwest Kansas is 75 percent too dry, and southeast Kansas is 68 percent too wet. The weekly crop report shows we continue to have moisture concerns in the western third of the state. . Subsoil moisture in Northwest Kasnas is 58 percent short and 7 percent very short; west central Kansas is 42 percent short and 20 percent very short; southwest Kansas is 42 percent short and 33 percent very short. The rest of the state is in good condition with the remaining six crop reporting districts reporting over 80 percent adequate to surplus subsoil moisture. Statewide, the report showed 5 percent very short; 15 percent short; 66 percent adequate and 14 percent surplus subsoil moisture. We’re hoping for wetter weather out west and dryer weather back east, and warmer weather for the entire state.

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.

SORGHUM LEADER UPDATE

May 5, 2006


3-I Show Next Week!
We hope to see you at the 3-I Show in Great Bend next week--May 11 through May 13. In addition to the normal indoor booth that features information on the grain sorghum and corn commissions and associations, we will have a large outdoor ethanol display at the 3-I this year. We are doing this in conjunction with the Kansas Lottery’s annual pickup truck giveaway, which this year is a 3-I Show Special Edition GMC Sierra Flexible Fuel extended cab pickup. The indoor booth is I-51 in the big Expo2 building. The outdoor ethanol booth is located right outside that building, near the GMC tent. In the outdoor exhibit, we will have Flexible Fuel Vehicles on display and plenty of ethanol information. On Thursday, we’ll host a live broadcast of AgriTalk, the nationally syndicated ag radio talk show from 10-11 a.m. from our outdoor booth. On Friday, AgriTalk will be at an E85 Ethanol Pump Tour at the Golden Belt 66 at 10th & Main in Great Bend. If you have a flex fuel vehicle, be sure to stop by—E85 will be selling for $1.85 from 9 a.m. to noon at that station on Friday!! We’re really excited about this show and look forward to seeing you there.

Garden City Ethanol
We have heard the Conestoga Energy Partners ethanol project will break ground on a 55 million gallon plant at Garden City later this month. More details soon! This project is being managed by BBI. Conestoga is currently working on two plant projects—the Garden City plant to be located near Wind River Grain, and a larger plant in Liberal.

Ksgrains.com Website Breaks Records
The ksgrains.com website has become a popular resource for information on Kansas ethanol, grain sorghum and corn. We get between 3,000 and 3,500 visitors per week to the ksgrains.com website. The most popular pages visited now are the ethanol pages. The last week of April, our visitor count soared to over 6,000 visitors. This week, we are at that same pace, averaging over 900 visitors per day on the weekdays. Again leading the pack are the ethanol pages. Kansas and US ethanol production, distillers grains, E85 fuel and sorghum. The web site gets visitors from around the world. In fact, most of our overseas visitors look at the sorghum site. We’ve also noticed a marked increase in calls to the office from people who have questions about ethanol fuel, how to invest in ethanol plants, and other ethanol-related questions. Most of these calls are from non-farmers

Thanks for the Rain—Send More
We missed our April showers and the March showers too. But we were glad to see that most parts of the state have received beneficial rains in the past couple of weeks. Still most growers are looking for more moisture—especially in the western third of the state. The crop report released May 1, shows that statewide, our subsoil moisture is 24 percent very short; 37 percent short; and 39 percent adequate. The western third of the state is the thirstiest.

Recruiters!
Just a reminder that if you recruit just two members, you will be rewarded with a very nice looking Kansas Grain Sorghum jacket. With the free seed/chemical deal, it’s a snap to sell a membership. KGSPA and NSP have been working hard for sorghum growers, and it’s important we have a strong membership base to continue this work!

BAC Meetings Coming Up in June
We encourage our grower leaders be become involved in the Basin Advisory Committees in their areas. Here is the schedule for the next round of BAC meetings in June.

June
7 - Lower Arkansas BAC Meeting - USDA Service Center, 9 West 28th Street, 9:00 a.m., Hutchinson

13 - Upper Arkansas BAC Meeting – Coolidge

14 - Cimarron BAC Meeting - Stauth Memorial Museum, 111 N. Aztec Street, Montezuma


15 - Verdigris Basin BAC - Neodesha Housing Authority Bldg., Neodesha

19 - Smoky Hill-Saline BAC Meeting - USDA Service Center, 2715 Canterbury Drive, Hays 1:00 p.m.

19 - Solomon BAC Meeting - Rooks County Health Department, 426 Main, Stockton-- 7:00 p.m.

20 - Upper Republican BAC Meeting - Colby County Community College, Range and College Avenue, Colby-- 10:00 a.m.

23 - Neosho BAC Meeting - Burlington, Kansas

26 - Missouri BAC Meeting - Benedictine College

April 7, 2006
We’re Moving!
In case you haven’t heard, the KGSPA office is moving. Our new street address will be 110 West Fourth—right across the street from our current office. We expect the move to be completed by April 17. The new office is certainly an upgrade from our current one and we are all looking forward to wrapping up the moving process! Our phone numbers and other contact information will remain the same. If you’re ever in Garnett, please stop by and visit us!

Governor Signs Bill to Lower E85 Fuel Tax
This week, Governor Kathleen Sebelius signed SB 544, a bill that reduces the motor vehicle fuel tax rate on E85 fuels by 7 cents per gallon effective January 1, 2007, for a new rate of 17 cents per gallon. The bill will take effect after publication in the Kansas register.

“Ethanol is better for our environment, it supports Kansas farmers, and it decreases our dependence on foreign oil. Kansans have already increased their use of ethanol by over 600 percent since 2005, and this action will help continue that growth,” Sebelius said.

The Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association worked for passage of the bill and applauded the support of the legislature and the Governor. 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 Executive Director Jere White.”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 being unfairly penalized because they are paying more taxes per mile.” 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.


Three Western Kansas Sorghum Commissioners Are 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.

3-I Show Just Around the Corner!
Note the new date for the 3-I Show to be held in Great Bend May 11 through May 13. In addition to the normal indoor booth that features information on grain sorghum and corn, we will have a large outdoor ethanol display at the 3-I this year. We will be displaying E85 vehicles, and giving out ethanol information. We are doing this in conjunction with the Kansas Lottery’s annual pickup truck giveaway, which this year is a 3-I Show Special Edition GMC Sierra Flexible Fuel extended cab pickup. We’ll have more information for you soon!


 

March 24, 2006

E85 Road Tax Bill Passes House and Senate
The final version of Senate Bill 544, a bill that will lower the road tax on E85 fuel passed the Kansas House and Senate this week. KGSPA worked for passage of the bill and applauded the legislature’s action. The sorghum and corn associations introduced the concept for the bill, which bases the road tax on 85 percent ethanol fuel (E85) on BTU content rather than a flat tax rate. The bill, Senate Bill 544, lowers the fuel tax for E85 from 24 cents per gallon to 17 cents per gallon, a seven cent savings for E85 users.

“This bill addresses an inequity in the state motor fuels tax, and it will encourage the use of E85 fuel,” according to KGSPA Executive Director Jere White.”E85 fuel has 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 E895 user is being unfairly penalized.”


Shelor on Cover of High Plains Journal
I hope you’ve seen this week’s edition of the High Plains Journal featuring a cover story on Greg Shelor, our NSP and KGSPA President.

Panda Energy Moving Forward with Haskell County Plant Plans
Panda Energy announced today that the Kansas Department of Health and Environment has issued an air permit for the company's Haskell County, Kansas fuel ethanol project. The air permit is a major milestone for the $120 million facility, the largest ethanol facility permitted in Kansas. When completed in late 2007, the facility will produce more than 100 million gallons of fuel ethanol a year. Coming on the heels of Panda's announcement of several other ethanol
plants across the county, the Haskell County plant will be unique in Kansas in that it will utilize cow manure as a fuel source to operate the plant. This project, which is similar to Panda's Hereford, TX project now underway, will annually convert one billion pounds of cattle manure into a clean burning bio- gas used to power the plant's operations. By utilizing bio-gas instead of natural gas, the Haskell County plant will save the equivalent of 1,000 barrels of imported oil per day. The Panda Energy ethanol plant is planned on a 1,120-acre site halfway between Satanta and Sublette, Kansas, in Haskell County Kansas.

Rep. Moran to Drive Flex Fuel Vehicle in Kansas Visits
We received a call from Representative Jerry Moran’s Hays office recently asking to use some E85 magnets on a flex fuel van he will be driving during upcoming trips to Kansas. The Congressman has a long record of support for ethanol, and we were happy to supply the magnets and other ethanol information for his use.

Sumner County Group Holds Ethanol Meeting
Our Kansas Grain Sorghum Commissioner Jay Zimmerman was mentioned in a newspaper article about a Sumner County economic development meeting held to discuss the possibility of building an ethanol plant. According to the article, organizers were surprised at the number of people who attending the meeting. ICM’s Steve Rust talked to the group about growth expectation in the ethanol industry and explained the next step for the group would be a feasibility study. Zimmerman spoke to the group about grain sorghum production in the area and also suggested the need for rail access to any potential plant site.

U.S. Leads the World in Sorghum Exports
The U.S. leads the world in sorghum exports according to the U.S. Grains Council's 2005 Annual Report. Last year, the U.S. captured 85% of the market. Australia was the nearest competitor with 7% of the market and Argentina had 5% marketshare. Mexico is the largest customer of U.S. sorghum, buying 67% of our exported grain. Japan buys more than a quarter of the exports. In the U.S., 44% of grain sorghum is for feed and residual, 43% is exported and 13% is used for food, seed and industrial purposes.

Kansas FSA Announces Listening Sessions
Bill Fuller, State Executive Director of the Kansas USDA Farm Service Agency, is initiating a review of the Kansas FSA operation. FSA Administrator Teresa Lasseter has asked each State Executive Director to conduct an independent local-level review of the efficiency and effectiveness of FSA offices to identify the optimum network of facilities, staffing, training, and technology within existing budgetary resources and staffing ceilings. Unlike the ill-fated FSA Tomorrow national initiative unveiled last September that was quickly abandoned, this review is to be state driven. There is no comprehensive national plan or formula.

As the first step, Fuller has scheduled three FSA Stakeholder Listening Sessions across the state:
*March 28, 1:00 - 4:00 p.m., Garden City, Plaza Inn, North Ballroom
*March 29, 1:00 - 4:00 p.m., Great Bend, Barton County Community College, Auditorium
*March 30, 12:30 - 3:30 p.m., Topeka, Kansas Museum of History

 

SORGHUM LEADER UPDATE
 

March 10, 2006

Sorghum Producers In DC
A delegation of sorghum producers and staff has convened in Washington this week to take their concerns to their farm-state legislators and the Administration. The producers' primary concerns are protecting the agriculture budget, continuing the Great Plains Sorghum Initiative, reinstating funding for sorghum research by the Agricultural Research Service, increasing ethanol production to make the nation more energy independent, providing agriculture disaster assistance to producers impacted by hurricanes and drought and extending the 2002 farm bill until securing a WTO agreement with meaningful market access.

National Sorghum Producers (NSP) President Greg Shelor of Minneola, Kan. said that the Senate Agriculture Committee is monitoring WTO negotiations, working on timetables for the new farm bill, and standing opposed to budget reconciliation instructions this year. "The Members understand that in years like this, with high input costs and drought, we need the safety net provided for in the 2002 farm bill."

Sorghum leaders discussed sorghum's role in energy policy with House Agriculture Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte. Producers and staff met with their home-state legislators, the Office of Management and Budget, and will meet with Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns this afternoon. Participants are also taking part in a leadership training session sponsored by Syngenta.

Attending from Kansas were: KGSPA and NSP President Greg Shelor, Minneola; Kansas Grain Sorghum Commissioner Jeff Casten, Quenemo.; Dave Erwin, of the Syracuse Coop; KGSPA Board Member Jeff Filinger of Cuba.; Kansas Grain Sorghum Commissioner Bill Greving of Prairie View, and KGSPA Programs Manager Sue Hardman. In addition to hill visits and leadership training, the NSP Board of Directors is meeting through Saturday.

Girard Coop Offers E85
Producers Coop sells E85 and E10 Unleaded fuel at its station at Girard. According to Kim Brainard, the Coop also makes on-farm deliveries of E85. In fact, Brainard says the on-farm delivery of E85 is going very well and they are setting new tanks on several farms for the fuel. The station sells ethanol blended fuels at their retail location and on a 24-hour cardrol island at their station at 300 E. St. John in Girard.

With the addition of the Girard station, Kansas now has ten E85 stations in nine Kansas towns.

BTU Equivalency Bill for E85 Scheduled for Hearing
We will again testify in favor of SB544, this time at the House Transporation hearing on Thursday, March 16. The bill would base road taxes on E85 on energy content, instead of per gallon. E85 has a lower BTU content than regular gas, and therefore a gallon of E85 travels a shorter distance than a gallon of gasoline. We have been making the point that a user of E85 is being unfairly penalized because the fuel is taxed per gallon, requiring E85 users to pay higher road taxes per mile. The Senate has already passed the bill with a vote of 40-0.

Group Announces Washington County Ethanol Project
At a Washington Rotary Club meeting at last week, project manager Brian Barber, Washington, announced the construction of an $80 million bio-refinery complex west of Washington, which should begin later this year and include a 25-30-million-gallon ethanol plant, a 30,000-head cattle feed yard and a solid waste management facility in a cutting-edge closed loop system which will become fully operational in late 2007. The project is being undertaken by E3 BioFuels, based in Kansas City, Mo., with offices in Omaha. E3 BioFuels recently signed a letter of intent with Ethanol Grain Processors, Washington, to develop, finance, construct, own and operate the complex. E3 stands for Earth, Energy and Environment. The Washington project, which will be constructed approximately three miles west of Washington on the south side of U.S. 36 directly across from the Bekemeyer Enterprises feedlot, will be based on a similar model project currently being constructed near Mead, Neb. Since the Mead project is being constructed alongside a feed yard that was already in operation, the Washington project will be the first project of its kind in the nation to be constructed from the ground up. The closed-loop system employed by E3 for this project is a patented system which uses three inter-connected projects to create marketable products like ethanol, cattle for market and a dry fertilizer, while using other byproducts like manure, wet distiller's grain and energy.

The complex is also expected to create 250-300 jobs during the construction phase, not all at one time, and around 80 jobs at the complex when operational. It is also expected to use 11-12 million bushels of grain plus more to feed cattle at the feed lot. To truck the market cattle to and from the complex, the ethanol and other products, up to 125-150 trucks per day will be needed.

Kansas FSA Announces Listening Sessions
Bill Fuller, State Executive Director of the Kansas USDA Farm Service Agency, is initiating a review of the Kansas FSA operation. FSA Administrator Teresa Lasseter has asked each State Executive Director to conduct an independent local-level review of the efficiency and effectiveness of FSA offices to identify the optimum network of facilities, staffing, training, and technology within existing budgetary resources and staffing ceilings. Unlike the ill-fated FSA Tomorrow national initiative unveiled last September that was quickly abandoned, this review is to be state driven. There is no comprehensive national plan or formula.

As the first step, Fuller has scheduled three FSA Stakeholder Listening Sessions across the state:
*March 28, 1:00 - 4:00 p.m., Garden City, Plaza Inn, North Ballroom
*March 29, 1:00 - 4:00 p.m., Great Bend, Barton County Community College, Auditorium
*March 30, 12:30 - 3:30 p.m., Topeka, Kansas Museum of History

 

December 2, 2005

KGSPA Holds Annual Meeting, Farm Bill Forum
We had a good turnout at the annual meeting and farm bill forum in Ellinwood in late November. Attached is the approved version of the 2006 KGSPA Resolutions.

LDP Concerns Continue
Growers have been calling our office and the National Sorghum Producers office with questions about LDPs for sorghum. A caller Thursday asked why the price of sorghum increased 1 cent between Wednesday and Thursday, yet her LDP dropped from 91 cents to 84 cents. The good news is that Representative Moran’s Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management as scheduled a public hearing on December 14 to review technical procedures of USDA’s Establishment of Posted County Prices.

Dec. 9 is Final Deadline for Yield & Management Contest Entries
For those who have entered the National Sorghum Yield and Management Contest, here’s a friendly reminder that harvest forms must be completed and in the NSP office no later than Dec. 9, 2005. For more information, visit http://www.sorghumgrowers.com/Growers/Yield+Contest or call the NSP office at (800)658-9808 and ask to talk with Shari. Winners will be recognized at the 2006 North American Grain Congress Feb. 4-8 in San Antonio, Texas.

Farm Shows
We’re in the middle of Farm Show Season. We’ve had an exhibit at the Wichita Farm Show, the Kansas AgriBusiness Expo and the Kansas Livestock Association Trade Show. The next show will be the Topeka Farm Show, January 10 through 12 at the Kansas ExpoCenter.

Legislative Pancake Breakfast
Mark your calendar for the 2006 Wake Up to Kansas Agriculture Legislative Breakfast. The breakfast will be held January 31, 2006 at the Assumption Church basement just north at the Capitol in Topeka.

Brownback Co-Sponsors Bill that Would Ramp Up FFV Production
A bipartisan group of senators unveiled legislation recently they said would save 2.5 million barrels of oil a day within a decade and 10 million barrels a day by 2031. The country now uses a little more than 20 million barrels of oil a day, most of for transportation.

The bill calls for all new gasoline-powered vehicles sold in the United States to be E85-compatible within 10 years. If enacted, the bill would increase the amount of flex-fuel vehicles (FFVs) on the road by 10 percent every year for 10 years. For example, within 18 months of the law being enacted, 10 percent of all new cars manufactured must be FFVs. Within two years of the law being enacted, 20 percent of all new cars must be FFVs. This increase would continue until all new cars manufactured within 10 years would be able to run on E85.

Indy Racing League Begins Ethanol Test Drives
Two IndyCar teams will conduct the first on-track test of the Indy Racing League's new ethanol-blended fuel at Homestead-Miami Speedway next week, with Andretti Green's Bryan Herta and Rahal Letterman's Buddy Rice using the fuel as part of a one-day test with manufacturers Honda and Firestone on 7 December. The League announced back in March that it planned to introduce the ethanol industry as official fuel supplier to the series from 2006, and the two 'guinea pig' teams will use a 90 per cent methanol and ten per cent ethanol blend for the test with a view to it becoming the official fuel next season. For 2007, the League intends all cars to run on 100 per cent fuel-grade ethanol.

"The transition between methanol and ethanol in our cars should be very smooth," insisted the IRL's senior technical director, Phil Casey, "Our cars won't sound different, smell different or run different to have they have in the past. There will be a seamless transition from methanol to ethanol in our cars."

Ethanol is an alcohol derived primarily from grain and, as a clean-burning and renewable fuel that is non-toxic and 100 per cent biodegradable, it reduces harmful air pollution and improves racing's environmental footprint. However, its high octane rating delivers strong engine performance by helping engines resist detonation, allowing them to run higher compression ratios. IRL cars have run on methanol since the late 1960s, but internal dynamometer testing has shown that there should be no technical barriers to replacing methanol with ethanol.

Next season won't be the first time ethanol has powered a car in the Indianapolis 500, however, as Leon Duray ran on ethyl alcohols in 1927.



 

October 14, 2005

Castens Named American Royal Farm Family of the Year
KCSC Chairman Jeff Casten and his wife Joyce are being honored as an American Royal Farm Family of the Year. See the attached article. Congratulations to the Castens!

Coffeyville and Great Bend Stations Add E85, 85% Ethanol Fuel
Drivers can now fill up with E85 fuel, 85% ethanol fuel for flexible fuel vehicles, in Coffeyville and at a new location at Great Bend. Bordertown II Smoke Shop recently added an E85 pump at its station at 2708 South Walnut in Coffeyville. Bird Express, 1000 Main in Great Bend also has added E85 fuel. E85 is an alternative fuel made for Flexible Fuel Vehicles (FFVs), which are equipped to operate on any combination of gasoline and ethanol up to 85 percent ethanol. There are over 6 million flexible fuel vehicles on the road today that can operate on E85. It is estimated there are more than 80,000 flexible fuel vehicles in Kansas.

With the addition of the Coffeyville and Great Bend stations, E85 is now available at seven stations in six Kansas cities: Coffeyville Great Bend, Maize, Hays, Topeka and Garnett. Great Bend has two E85 stations. The availability of E85 fuel will increase dramatically in the near future.

Kansas Commodity Classic Is Coming Up
Be sure to mark your calendars and make plans to attend the Kansas Commodity Classic on Tuesday, Nov. 8 at the Garden City Plaza Inn. The agenda is being finalized. We’ll have discussion of farm bill and farm policy issues, value added, and a variety of breakout sessions.

Ag Statistics Downsizes Sorghum Crop Estimate
Kansas Ag Statistics put out its October crop estimates this week. Sorghum grain production is forecast at 180 million bushels, down 18 percent from last year, and down from the September estimate of 196 million bushels. Acreage for harvest as grain is 2.50 million acres, down 150,000 acres from September 1 and down 400,000 acres from 2004.

U.S. Estimates: sorghum grain production is forecast at 375 million bushels, down 6 percent from September and down 18 percent from 2004. Area harvested and to be harvested, at 5.69 million acres, is down 6 percent from last month and 13 percent below 2004. The U.S. yield is forecast at 66.0 bushels per acre, unchanged from September but down 3.8 bushels from last year.

Upcoming BAC Meetings
October is a busy month for Basin Advisory Committee meetings. We encourage you to attend the meetings that are held in your area. More information can be found on the Kansas Water Office website at www.kwo.org

October 2005
17th Upper Arkansas BAC Meeting, 1:30 p.m., King Center, Jetmore

18th Cimarron BAC Meeting, 9:00 a.m., City Hall, 1325 Fowler, Meade

20th Kansas-Lower Republican BAC Meeting, 10:00 a.m., Astaris Plant, Lawrence

21st Verdigris BAC Meeting, 1:00 p.m., Neodesha Housing Authority, Neodesha

Castens Among Kansas American Royal Farm Families Named
(KSU News Release)
MANHATTAN, Kan. - The Jeff and Joyce Casten family of Quenemo, Kan. and the Chuck and Debbie Springer family of Independence, Kan. have been named the American Royal Kansas Farm Families of the Year.

The award is sponsored by the Kansas City Kansas Community College and the Kansas Farm Management Association (KFMA).

The families will be honored at an Oct. 28 luncheon at the Agricultural Hall of Fame in Bonner Springs and later that evening at the American Royal Rodeo.

Jeff and Joyce Casten's farm in Osage County is spread across 920 acres on which they raise corn, wheat, soybeans and grain sorghum.

The couple met in 1968 during their senior year in high school. They married in 1972 and have raised four children on the farm on which Jeff grew up near Quenemo.

Both graduated from Kansas State University -- he with a bachelor's degree in agronomy and she with bachelor's and master's degrees in physical science. Upon graduation they chose a different route than farming. Jeff took a position with Albers Milling, owned by the Carnation Company in Kansas City and Joyce taught science in the Shawnee Mission School District.

Three years later, however, farm life beckoned. Jeff's dad had retired from farming, sold his farm machinery and rented the farmland to others. So when Jeff and Joyce decided they wanted to farm after all, the family farm was available, but they had to start from scratch with equipment.

Joyce's parents farmed in Franklin County and own Stinson Processing, a custom meat processing plant.

"It was really easy for me to adapt to the farming way of life," Joyce said. She is now the middle school science teacher in the Marais Des Cygnes Valley School District.

During the summer and in and around her duties at school, she helps drive trucks, till the land in preparation of planting and is involved in all the other activities on the farm.

"There's nothing I like better than going to bed at night and hearing, 'Honey I just wondered if you could run an errand in the morning before you go to school,'" Joyce said with a laugh. "Of course it doesn't matter that I had a 7 a.m. meeting before school."

"I nominated the Casten family because they are the classic farm family," said James Huschka, who is a KFMA economist based in Ottawa, Kan. They have a medium sized farm that has been able to survive because of hard work, sacrifice and being a low cost producer. Jeff and Joyce are very involved with their community and are wonderful parents."

"We're basically a cash grain farm," Jeff said. The family grows corn, grain sorghum, wheat and soybeans. They own about half of the acreage they farm and lease the rest from other landowners.

In addition to the KFMA, the Castens are involved in the Kansas Farm Bureau and are members of several other farm organizations.

Jeff is the current chairman of the Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission and serves on the Marais des Cygnes Basin Advisory Committee of the Kansas Water Authority. He is a past president of the Kansas as well as the National Sorghum Producers Association, and served nine years on the Kansas Crop Improvement Association board of directors and the local school board, respectively.

Joyce's involvement has been largely "kid-oriented," she said, having served on the Kansas FFA alumni committee and as a school volunteer at various times.

As youngsters, the couple's four daughters were active in 4-H and later, FFA. All either graduated from or are attending K-State.

Jennifer (Casten) Wirth lives with her husband, Brenden, in Russell, Kan., where she is a veterinarian and he is a district administrator for Kansas Farm Bureau.

Jill Casten lives in Indianapolis, where she is the Collegiate Program Manager for the National FFA organization.

Janae Casten, who worked for the Kansas Wheat Commission while a student at K-State, will marry Caleb McNally Oct. 15. The couple will live in Holdrege, Neb. area where Caleb works for Syngenta as a Northrup King district seed manager.

The Casten's youngest daughter, Jarah, is a freshman at K-State, dual majoring in agricultural economics and agricultural communications.

The couple cited several factors that helped them weather difficult times - the avoidance of large debt, the construction of a grain bin system and the purchase of a semi-tractor trailer with which they can haul their grain to the market of their choosing at the time of their choosing.

Of his business philosophy, Jeff said: "I try to live by the saying, 'prepare for the worst, then hope for the best.'"
 

August 26, 2005

NSP Summer Board Meeting Brings Changes
The National Sorghum Producers board approved bylaw changes at its meeting in Lubbock, Texas on Saturday. The national group changed its name from the National Sorghum Producers to the National Sorghum Producers to recognize the growth of the forage segment of the industry.

The new structure approved in the bylaws calls for a delegate body to be formed from members and industry supporters. The delegates will serve one-year terms and meet annually. They will be charged with electing the board of directors and president-elect. They will also recommend organizational direction and bylaw amendments to the board of directors.

Sorghum Genome to Be Sequenced
Grain sorghum will be the second cereal grain to be sequenced, NSP announced at its summer board meeting.

According to the Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute (JGI) Computation Genomics, sorghum has been targeted for sequencing in 2006. The JGI was instrumental in sequencing the human genome.

According to NSP Research Director Dr. Jeff Dahlberg, the project will engage an international consortium led by Dr. Andrew Paterson from the University of Georgia. Dahlberg said the project is a logical outgrowth of long-term research efforts that have been supported by NSP to enhance the knowledge of the hereditary information of the sorghum plant. In the past, genomics research has been funded by sources including the National Science Foundation Plant Genome Research Program, the United States Department of Agriculture National Research Initiative, and the International Consortium for Sugarcane Biotechnology. "This is as important as the advent of sorghum hybrids 50 years ago," said Dahlberg. "Sequencing sorghum is a critical step in building our knowledge base on how plants function and, like the use of hybrids, will allow us to make significant advancements in crop improvement for the next 50 years. This project will be valuable as we move from fundamental studies of genome organization and gene discovery to applied efforts in sorghum."

Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission to Meet September 1
The Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission will meet at 10 a.m., Thursday, September 1 at the KSU North Central Experiment Fields office at 1300 60 Road, Courtland, Kansas.

KGSPA Board Holds Meeting Thursday
The KGSPA board of director met on Thursday at McPherson. The Board heard reports on ethanol, membership, Kansas State Fair and the Kansas Commodity Classic. The Commodity Classic will be held Tuesday, Nov. 8 at Garden City.

NSP Sorghum Yield Contest
Think you have a good sorghum yield this year? Enter the NSP’s Yield and Management Contest. Regular entries must be postmarked at least 30 days prior to harvest of the contest acreage. Express Entries must be sent via overnight delivery at least 10 days prior to harvest of the contest acreage. Harvest Rules, a Harvest Report Form and a Management Information Form will be mailed to the contestant as soon as the entry is received. The form must be completed and in the NSP office no later than December 9, 2005. Complete rules and entry forms can be found at www.sorghumgrowers.com or call our office and we’ll mail them to you.

Kansas State Fair – Sorghum Entries
KGSPA is again sponsoring the “Best of Show – Sorghum in Heads” competition. Early entry forms were due August 15, 2005. Entries will be accepted later but have a higher “late entry” fee.

Now Is the Time Volunteer for the State Fair!!!
This year’s Kansas State Fair will be September 9 through 18 at Hutchinson. We’re once again participating in Agriland, the large interactive educational exhibit in the Pride of Kansas Building at the Kansas State Fair. This is a great opportunity for growers to help kids and their parents get a better understanding of how agriculture fits into their lives. And, heck, it’s a lot of fun too! Our association workdays are: Friday, September 9, 2005 and Sunday, September 18, 2005.

Kansas State Fair—Ethanol Exhibit
We are also manning a new exhibit this year promoting ethanol and ethanol vehicles. This exhibit is a collaborative effort between KGSPA, Kansas Corn, Kansas Department of Commerce, Kansas Association of Ethanol Processors, and ICM/UBE of Wichita. We’ll be manning this outdoor exhibit Friday, Sept. 9 through noon Sunday, Sept. 11, Friday, Sept. 16 and Sunday, Sept. 18. See the attached volunteer for. You can either mail the form or call in to the office at 800-489-2676.

Volunteers will receive gate tickets to the fair. Also, we have hotel rooms available for volunteers on a first-come, first-serve basis. Please call by August 31 if you would like a hotel room.
 

August 12, 2005

August Crop Production Estimates Released Today

Of course, the big buzz today is Ag Statistics’ August crop production estimate. Here is what ag statistics has to say about the Kansas sorghum crop:

Kansas sorghum grain production is forecast at 182.9 million bushels, down 17 percent from the 220.4 million bushels in 2004. Yields are expected to average 69 bushels per acre, down 7 bushels from last year's yield. Planted acreage is 2.9 million acres, down 300,000 acres from 2004. Sorghum acreage to be harvested for grain, at 2.650 million acres, is down 250,000 acres from 2004.

Kansas Sorghum
2005
Yield: 69 bushels per acre
Harvested acres: 2.65 million
Production: 182.85 million bushels

2004
Yield: 76 bushels per acre
Harvested acres: 2.9
Production: 220.4 million bushels

US Sorghum
2005
Yield: 63 bushels per acre
Harvested acres: 6.030 million
Production: 380.3 million bushels

2004
Yield: 69.8 bushels per acre
Harvested acres: 6.5
Production: 454.9 million bushels

Other Crops
Winter Wheat
2004--314.5 million bu
2005--374.4 million bu.

Corn
2004--432 million bu;
2005--387.5 million bu.

Sorghum
2004--220.4 million bu
2005--183.85 million bu.

Soybeans
2004--111.1 million bu.
2005--89.6 million bu.

Cotton
2004—70.7 thousand bales
2005--80 thousand bales

NGSP’s Yield and Management Contest
Out-yield your county's 5-year USDA National Agriculture Statistics Service (NASS) yield average to the greatest extent and be in the running to be recognized at the 2006 North American Grain Congress Feb. 4-8 in San Antonio, Texas. Entries must be postmarked 30 days prior to harvest. Harvest forms must be completed and in the NGSP office no later than Dec. 9, 2005. Enclosed in the mailed version of this report is a copy of the entry form and rules. Please let us know if you need more.
 

NGSP Summer Meeting Aug. 17-19
Looking forward to seeing many of our sorghum leaders in Lubbock next week at the NGSP Summer Board meeting. Several Kansas growers representing KGSPA and KGSC will be at the meeting. KGSPA staffer Sue Schulte will also attend. Meetings begin on Wednesday and go through Saturday morning. Saturday afternoon, we will celebrate NGSP’s 50th anniversary with an open house and reception and dinner. This should be a productive meeting, and also a great opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments of NGSP.

KGSPA Board Meeting Aug. 25
The Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association will meet at 10 a.m., Thursday, August 25 at the Best Western Holiday Manor in McPherson.

KGSC Will Meet September 1
The Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission will meet at 10 a.m., Thursday, September 1 at K-State’s Scandia Experiment Station. The meeting will wrap up in time to attend the North Central Kansas Fall Field Day near Belleville. See field day information below:

North Central Kansas Fall Field Day Slated
BELLEVILLE, Kan. - The Kansas State University North Central Experiment Field will host its Fall Field Day Sept. 1 at the field 2 miles west of Belleville on U.S. Highway 36.

The tour begins at 5:30 p.m.

Tour topics and speakers will include:

*50 Years of Grain Sorghum Improvement - Bruce Maunder, National Sorghum Producers Association.

*Starter Fertilizer Placement - Barney Gordon, K-State Department of Agronomy.

*Wheat Fertility Programs - Dale Leikam, K-State Department ofAgronomy

A meal, sponsored by Polansky Seed Co, will follow the tour.

For more information, interested persons can contact the North Central Experiment Field at 785-335-2836.

August 3, 2005

WOW! Energy and Trade Bills Pass!

Energy Bill Is a Big Win!
The ethanol industry will continue to grow as a market for grain sorghum thanks to the 7.5 billion gallon renewable fuels standard included in the Energy Bill that passed on Friday. Kansas is the nation’s leading producer of grain sorghum, harvesting about 45 percent of the nation’s crop each year. While most ethanol plants in the Midwest use corn to produce ethanol, more ethanol in Kansas is made with grain sorghum. Corn and grain sorghum are interchangeable in the ethanol-making process. Thanks go to our four U.S. Representatives Moran, Ryun, Moore and Tiahrt and our Sentors Roberts and Brownback who all were supporters of the Energy Bill.

Kansas Votes Made a Difference in CAFTA-DR
Export markets for grain sorghum will benefit from the passage of the Central America –Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR) on Thursday. The measure passed the House on Thursday with a close 217-215 vote. Key votes from Kansas representatives tipped the scales in favor of the free trade agreement. The trade agreement was signed by President Bush on Tuesday. The entire Kansas Congressional delegation Rep. Jere Moran, Rep. Jim Ryun, Rep. Dennis Moore, and Rep. Todd Tiahrt supported CAFTA-DR in the key House vote. Representative Moore was one of a handful of Democrats who were considered to be key votes. Senators Roberts and Brownback also voted in favor of the bill, which passed the Senate by a wider margin.

Tell Them Thanks!
We contact our Representatives and Senators often asking their support on various issues. Now, take a moment and send an e-mail or letter to thank them for supporting the Energy Bill and CAFTA-DR. See directory attached.

Jay Zimmerman Elected to US Grains Council Position
The U.S. Grains Council Board of Delegates elected new officers and directors at its 45th annual
Board of Delegates meeting in Seattle last week. Jay Zimmerman, a Kansas Grain Sorghum Commissioner representing the southcentral district, was one of six directors elected to serve two year terms on the USGC Board of Directors. Zimmerman will serve as the sorghum sector director.

Lickteig Returns from Sorghum Mission to Japan
Participants on the USGC Sorghum Mission met with representatives from Japanese trading companies, feedmills and sorghum importers in mid-July. Kevin Lickteig, Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission Administrator participated in the mission. Kevin reported that our customers in Japan really like sorghum as a feed grain and they said they’ll continue to use it even with higher prices. Japan is what people call a mature market, but it was important for us to visit them—you need to take care of your best customers, he said.
Mission members learned that Japanese feedmillers and farmers use sorghum in swine and broiler rations to give pork and chicken the white color Japanese consumers prefer. They also discussed challenges in what has been the second largest market for U.S. sorghum behind Mexico, including competition Australian sorghum, the relationship between U.S. sorghum price and corn and the release of Japanese rice stocks into the feed market. The group had a first-hand look at some of the many products being produced in Japan with U.S. white sorghum and heard about the various programs the Council’s Tokyo office has held over the last five years to develop this unique niche market. Mission members also learned that competition from Australian sorghum has been minimal. Already in CY 2005 Japan has imported more than 24.3 million bushels of sorghum, with more than 21.6 million bushels (90 percent) of that coming from the United States.

Kansas State Fair Is Coming Up!
This year’s Kansas State Fair will be September 9 through 18 at Hutchinson. We’re once again participating in Agriland, the large interactive educational exhibit in the Pride of Kansas Building at the Kansas State Fair. This is a great opportunity for growers to help kids and their parents get a better understanding of how agriculture fits into their lives. And, heck, it’s a lot of fun too! Our association workdays are: Friday, September 9, 2005 and Sunday, September 18, 2005. We have hotel rooms available. Please call by August 31 if you would like a hotel room.

Kansas State Fair – Sorghum Entries
KGSPA is again sponsoring the “Best of Show – Sorghum in Heads” competition. Early entry forms are due August 15, 2005. Entries will be accepted later but will have a higher “late entry” fee.

Kansas State Fair—Ethanol Exhibit
We are also manning a new exhibit this year promoting ethanol and ethanol vehicles. This exhibit is a collaborative effort between KGSPA, Kansas Corn, Kansas Department of Commerce, Kansas Association of Ethanol Processors, and ICM/UBE of Wichita. We’ll be manning this outdoor exhibit Friday, Sept. 9 through noon Sunday, Sept. 11, and again on Sunday, September 18. If you want more information, contact Sue Schulte at the association office.

NGSP Sorghum Yield Contest
Think you have a good sorghum yield this year? Enter the NGSP’s Yield and Management Contest. Regular entries must be postmarked at least 30 days prior to harvest of the contest acreage. Express Entries must be sent via overnight delivery at least 10 days prior to harvest of the contest acreage. Harvest Rules, a Harvest Report Form and a Management Information Form will be mailed to the contestant as soon as the entry is received. The form must be completed and in the NGSP office no later than December 9, 2005. Complete rules and entry forms can be found at www.sorghumgrowers.com or call our office and we’ll mail them to you.

Great Bend Station Now Offers E85 Fuel
Drivers can now fill up with E85 fuel, 85% ethanol fuel for flexible fuel vehicles, in Great Bend. Moeder Oil recently added an E85 pump at their station at 2302 Railroad Ave. in Great Bend. This is a CardTrol facility, allowing customers 24-hour access. However, customers can buy E85 without a card during the hours the station is open--from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. The station also offers E10 Unleaded, unleaded fuel with 10 percent ethanol for all vehicles. With the addition of Moeder Oil, E85 is now available in five Kansas cities: Great Bend, Maize, Hays, Topeka and Garnett.


U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Representative Jerry Moran--1st District
Phone: 202-225-2715
Fax: 202-225-5124

Representative Jim Ryun--2nd District
Phone: 202-225-6601
Phone: 202-225-7986

Representative Dennis Moore--3rd District
Phone: 202-225-2865
Fax: 202-225-2807

Representative Todd Tiahrt--4th District
Phone: 202-225-6216
Fax: 202-225-3489

U.S. SENATE
Senator Pat Roberts
Phone: 202-224-4774
Fax: 202-224-3514

Senator Sam Brownback
Phone: 202-224-6521
Fax: 202-228-1265
 

July 15, 2005

Governor Holds Ceremonial Signing of Ethanol Labeling Law
Sales of ethanol in Kansas should increase dramatically, thanks to a law that repeals a requirement to label fuel containing up to 10 percent ethanol. The law took effect on July 1 and Governor Kathleen Sebelius held a ceremonial signing of the bill on last week at the Western Plains Energy ethanol plant at Campus. At the signing ceremony, the Governor praised the ethanol plants and growers for their efforts to increase the production and use of ethanol in Kansas. Sue Schulte attended the event.

Company Holds Public Meeting for Ethanol Plant at Ulysses
Sue Schulte attended a public meeting last week at Ulysses regarding the proposed 100 million gallon ethanol plant near that city. The meeting, which was standing room only, lasted almost three hours with presentations and a public forum. It was broadcast on KULY radio. According to the organizers, NABR (North American Bioenergy Resources), it would take about14 months to build a plant that size and they planned to be in operation in late 2006. According to NABR, this is basically a done deal financially--“the money is there.” NABR representatives did say however, that there may be an opportunity for local investment as well. They said the plant would hire about 100 full time workers. The sentiment of the audience seemed to be positive for the most part. There were some questions, mainly quality of life issues. Truck traffic was discussed. The answer was that they were working with the railroad to get heavy rail from the plant to Sat anta. If that didn’t work out, then they would have to truck more and would have to look at highway upgrades near the plant—possibly a bypass. They said if they went with trucks, they would have about 100 trucks a day into the facility. However, a member of the audience said that the WPE plant at Campus is half that size and has 100 trucks a day. We’ll continue to follow this project as it progresses.

Goodland Announces Energy Complex
Also, last Tuesday, a group in Goodland announced its plans to build a new power complex, which they believe should be running in about a year, bringing roughly 100 new jobs. The complex will include a coal-fired power plant, plus plants to produce ethanol and “biodiesel” for motor fuel. The ethanol plant would produce about 25 million gallons per year. The group has bought equipment from the defunct Gopher State ethanol plant in Minnesota. Each plant will be
owned and operated by a separate group of local investors, each in a limited liability corporation. The ethanol plant will be owned by the E Caruso group, the biodiesel plant by ReNewable and the power plant by Goodland Energy Resources.

EKAE Hosts Ethanol Workshop Tour
The EKAE ethanol plant at Garnett was a destination for over 100 participants in the International Fuel Ethanol Workshop on July 1. The workshop was held last week in Kansas City. The tour was sponsored in part by the Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission and Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association. Jere White and Sue Schulte were on hand to help with the tour. The plant produced its first gallons of ethanol on June 22.

NGSP’s Summer Board Meeting and Golden Anniversary Celebration Is Aug. 21
The NGSP Summer Board Meeting and 50th Anniversary Celebration is about a month away, and we hope to see many of you there. The NGSP board meeting will include numerous decisions that affect the future of NGSP and we have a line-up of speakers coming in to talk about the 2007 farm bill, trade policy and the Great Plains Sorghum Improvement & Utilization Center.

NGSP Summer Meeting Itinerary -- August 18-20, 2005
Lodging at the Holiday Inn Hotel Towers & Suites with complimentary airport shuttle.

Wednesday, August 17
Evening Sorgo Trio, Inc. Board of Directors Meeting

Thursday, August 18
8:00 am Sorghum Synergies, LLC Board of Directors Meeting
Noon Executive Committee Meeting

Friday, August 19
8:00 am – noon Executive Committee Meeting continues
1:00 pm – 6:00 pm NGSP Summer Board of Directors Meeting

Saturday, August 20
8:00 am NGSP Summer Board of Directors Meeting continues
Afternoon 50th Anniversary “Open House”
Evening 50th Anniversary Reception & Dinner

There is no cost to attend the Anniversary celebration, but please RSVP to Shari Connell at NGSP at (800) 658-9808 by Friday, August 12th.
 

Lickteig to Japan on Grains Council Mission
KGSC Administrator Kevin Lickteig leaves Sunday for a U.S. Grains Council mission to Japan. Japan is the second largest market for sorghum and the leader in food sorghum imports. Sorghum is also a popular ingredient for snack foods in Japan.

BAC Openings and Meetings
Many of the 12 basin advisory committees have openings. Please consider applying for membership on the committee in your area. This is your chance to help represent agriculture on water related issues. An application form is available on-line at the Kansas Water Office web site, www.kwo.org. Applications will be reviewed by the committee and nominations forwarded to the Kansas Water Authority for approval. If you have questions, you may call the Kansas Water Office at (888) KAN-WATER (526-9283) or call Jessica at the KGSPA office.

Upcoming BAC Meetings:
July 2005
26th - Upper Arkansas BAC Meeting, 8:30 a.m., King Center, Jetmore
26th - Cimarron BAC Meeting, 1:00 p.m., Strauth Museum, 111 North Aztec, Montezuma
26th - Kansas-Lower Republican BAC Meeting, 10:00 a.m., Concordia
27th - Smoky Hill-Saline BAC Meeting, 9:30 a.m., Sternberg Museum, 3rd floor meeting room, 3000 Sternberg Drive, Hay
27th - Solomon BAC Meeting, 7:00 p.m., Rook County Health Department, 2nd floor meeting room, 426 Main, Stockton
28th - Upper Republican BAC Meeting, 10:00 a.m., Norton Library, #1 Washington Square, Norton

August 2005
2nd - Walnut BAC Meeting, 6:15 p.m., Double Ds Restaurant, 214 West 7th, Augusta
2nd - Marais des Cygnes BAC Meeting, 10:00 a.m., Ft. Scott Community College, Ft. Scott
3rd - Lower Arkansas BAC Meeting, 9:30 a.m., NRCS 9 West 28th Avenue, Hutchinson
4th - Verdigris BAC Meeting, 1:00 p.m., Sedan, KS
9th, 10th & 11th - Kansas Water Authority Meeting, Garden City, KS

Gates Foundation Awards Grant for Biotech Sorghum
Here’s an interesting development regarding biotech research into grain sorghum. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has awarded several “Challenge” grants, one of which is a $16.9 million grant to develop a high nutrient grain sorghum, to help alleviate malnutrition in countries like Africa, where sorghum is a staple.

Here is an excerpt of an article from Forbes magazine about the grant:

When Florence Wambugu, founder of A Harvest Biotech Foundation International in Kenya, heard about the Gates grants, she immediately thought about three packages of sorghum seeds sitting in cold storage in Des Moines, Iowa. A cousin of corn, sorghum is a staple for half a billion people worldwide, even though it lacks much nutritional value. Five years ago Pioneer Hi-Bred International (a subsidiary of DuPont) figured out how to slide a critical gene from corn into sorghum to make a variant with more lysine--an essential amino acid. The researchers published their work, then filed the details (along with 200 seeds) in cold storage. The sorghum market simply wasn't big enough for Pioneer, says Paul Anderson, research director of DuPont crop genetics.

But Wambugu, who remembered the project from past discussions with Anderson, wanted those seeds. She called Anderson and asked if Pioneer would help her foundation develop better sorghum for African farmers. Wambugu and Anderson worked on their joint proposal for 20 months, ultimately winning $16.9 million from the Gates Foundation. Pioneer agreed to further nutritional enhancements to the sorghum strain, to train African scientists, and to donate the know-how (and seeds) from its earlier work. Wambugu has created a network of allies in Africa that will develop new crops as well as coax governments to okay the use of bioengineered seeds.
 

July 1, 2005

Happy Independence Day!
We hope you have some spare time to celebrate Independence Day on Monday. The KGSPA office will be closed on Monday and will reopen first thing Tuesday morning.

Senate Passes Energy Bill with 8 Billion Gallon RFS
Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association applauded the passage of the comprehensive Energy Bill in the Senate on Tuesday. The Senate passed the energy bill by a vote of 85 to 12. At a news conference later in the day, Congressman Jerry Moran and several other Congressmen introduced a bill that would create an 8 billion gallon renewable fuels standard. This stand-alone bill is a strong indication of their support for the RFS included in the Senate’s version of the energy bill. Now that the House and the Senate have approved versions of the Energy Bill, the next step is for a conference committee to reconcile the differences between the two versions. We’ve gotten this far before. It is very important that conference committee members work to find compromises that will allow the Energy Bill to make it to the president’s desk this year.

Senate Passes CAFTA-DR
The US Senate Thursday night voted 54 to 45 to support CAFTA-DR, the trade agreement that includes five Central American countries and the Dominican Republic. Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns commended the Senate for passing the trade agreement, saying it will eliminate tariffs and trade barriers and expand regional opportunities for US farmers and ranchers workers, manufacturers and consumers. "CAFTA is another important step in building new markets and improving the competitive position of US agriculture in the global marketplace. CAFTA will level the playing field for America's producers. By opening these markets on a fair and an equitable basis, we could double US agricultural exports to these countries," he said. Johanns urged the US House of Representatives to act quickly and vote to support CAFTA, "so our nation's producers have the same access to CAFTA markets the Central American countries have to our market."

Garnett’s EKAE Produces First Drops of Ethanol!
EKAE took its first loads of grain on June 10 and produced its first gallons of denatured fuel grade ethanol on June 22.

KGSPA and KGSC Help Sponsor Tour of EKAE Plant
The EKAE ethanol plant at Garnett was a destination for over 100 participants in the International Fuel Ethanol Workshop. The workshop was held this week in Kansas City. The tour was sponsored in part by the Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission and Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association. Jere White and Sue Schulte were on hand to help with the tour. Jere attended the FEW sessions in Kansas City.

Group Working to Bring Ethanol Plant to Ulysses
A group in Ulysses has announced plans to build a 100 million gallon ethanol plant at Ulysses in Grant County. North American Bioenergy Resources has not chosen the exact site of the plant, which would employ about 100 people, the company said in a news release. Construction is scheduled to begin this fall, with production expected to start in the fall of 2006. KGSPA staffer Sue Schulte will attend a meeting on Tuesday

Governor Sebelius to Hold Signing Ceremony of SB56
Senate Bill 56, the bill that removed the labeling requirement for up to 10 percent ethanol blended fuels, will get some attention on Tuesday. Governor Kathleen Sebelius will hold a signing ceremony for the bill at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 5 at the Western Plains Energy Plant at Campus. The provisions of SB56 take effect today, July 1. Sue Schulte will attend the signing.

FSA County Committee Elections Coming Up
We received a packet of information this week regarding the FSA County Committee elections. This information can be found at your FSA office, or we would be happy to send you a copy if you are interested. Ag producers who participate in FSA programs may be nominated. The last day to file nomination forms at your local FSA office is August 1. Ballots will be mailed Nov.4 and are due Dec. 5. Newly elected committee members would take office Jan. 1, 2006.

BAC Openings and Meetings
Many of the 12 basin advisory committees have openings. Please consider applying for membership on the committee in your area. This is your chance to help represent agriculture on water related issues. An application form is available on-line at the Kansas Water Office web site, www.kwo.org. Applications will be reviewed by the committee and nominations forwarded to the Kansas Water Authority for approval. If you have questions, you may call the Kansas Water Office at (888) KAN-WATER (526-9283) or call Jessica at the KGSPA office.

Upcoming BAC Meetings:
July 2005
11th - Neosho BAC Meeting, 1:00 p.m., Chanute
26th - Upper Arkansas BAC Meeting, 8:30 a.m., King Center, Jetmore
26th - Cimarron BAC Meeting, 1:00 p.m., Strauth Museum, 111 North Aztec, Montezuma
26th - Kansas-Lower Republican BAC Meeting, 10:00 a.m., Concordia
27th - Smoky Hill-Saline BAC Meeting, 9:30 a.m., Sternberg Museum, 3rd floor meeting room, 3000 Sternberg Drive, Hays
27th - Solomon BAC Meeting, 7:00 p.m., Rook County Health Department, 2nd floor meeting room, 426 Main, Stockton
28th - Upper Republican BAC Meeting, 10:00 a.m., Norton Library, #1 Washington Square, Norton
 

May 20, 2005

Sorghum Commissioner Jeff Casten’s Four Daughters Graduate
Jeff and Joyce Casten’s family was featured in the Ottawa Herald. They graduated four daughters this month: one from High School; one with an undergraduate degree at KSU; one with a masters from University of Nebraska, and one from Vet Med school at KSU. Congratulations Jeff and Joyce!

Kansas Ag Leaders Begin Farm Bill Discussion
Greg Shelor attended a Kansas Farm Bill Roundtable in Salina on Monday, May 9. Staffer Sue Schulte also attended. Nearly all of the state’s farm organization had producers or staff members at the meeting, which was organized by the Kansas Wheat Growers Association with the intent to provide a united voice from Kansas agriculture in Farm Bill discussions. At the end of the meeting, a smaller group, made up primarily of growers was formed to carry the process forward. Greg Shelor is part of that group. Additional meetings are to be held after wheat harvest, in the fall before the agricultural associations’ annual meetings, and in early 2006.

The meeting featured a presentation by Dr. Barry Flinchbaugh, Kansas State University. Dr. Flinchbaugh made the following observations: Conventional wisdom will tell you that the three threats to the farm bill are the budget, the WTO cotton ruling and agriculture’s house divided. But he said that list is backwards. “The #1 threat to the 2008 Farm Bill in terms of what’s good for farmers is agriculture’s house divided. I have never seen agriculture’s house more divided,” he said.

The #2 threat is the WTO Cotton Ruling. “It doesn’t just apply to cotton. It’s not how much we spend but how we spend it and how we distort the market.” The budget is a distant third, he said. “This is not a budget issue. The amount of our farm programs is less than an accounting error in the federal budget. Don’t get caught up in the budget frenzy. By farm, this is the smallest threat.”

Other issues:
Energy--Dr. Flinchbaugh told the group that energy would be a vital part of the farm bill. “Energy will be front and center in this farm bill,” he said. On payment limitations, Flinchbaugh said other groups are using the issue to divide agriculture. “If you don’t have your farm business structured so that payment limits aren’t an issue—it’s your own damned fault.” He said Grassley’s payment limitation proposal would affect three farms in Iowa and 27 farms in Kansas. There will be more “players” this year in the farm bill—for instance the food industry and obesity issues will play a role.

E85 Amendment Moves Forward in Senate
Last Thursday, the Senate passed an amendment cosponsored by Senator Sam Brownback, which would require all automakers to display decals inside the gas tank covers and windshields of vehicles that have the capacity to run on the 85 percent ethanol-based fuel known as E85, beginning in model year 2007. With gas prices reaching record highs, the legislation would make it easier for car owners, who are often not aware that their vehicles are E85 compatible, to fill-up with the cheaper renewable fuel. Cosponsors of the amendment included Senators Richard Lugar (R-IN), Norm Coleman (R-MN), Tom Harkin (D-IA), Chuck Grassley (D-IA), Richard Durbin (D-IL), Sam Brownback (R-KS), Ken Salazar (D-CO) and Jeff Bingaman (D-NM).

An amendment to provide a tax credit to encourage gasoline stations to install/convert pumps to offer E-85 ethanol also passed the Senate on Thursday. Both are amendments to the Highway Bill.

8 Billion Gallon RFS to Be Brought Up in Senate Energy Committee
An amendment to change the proposed Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) in the Energy Bill to 8 billion gallons will likely be offered during the Senate's Energy Committee Markup early next week. This should help expand the ethanol industry to the Sorghum Belt. NGSP is encouraging Energy Committee members to support the amendment. Members of the Senate Energy Committee are Sen. Pete Domenici (NM); Sen. Jeff Bingaman (NM); Sen. Ken Salazar (CO); Sen. Tim Johnson (SD); Sen. Mary Landrieu (LA); Sen. James Talent (MO).

Ethanol Rallies
Jere White and Robert White both pumped ethanol last week at the Kwik Shop in Eudora. Over 200 vehicles took advantage of the event. This event was in cooperation with Douglas County Farm Bureau and Kansas Agri Women.

Robert White has participated in ethanol rallies at Gorham and in Girard recently.

EQIP Subcommittee to Meet
An EQIP subcommittee meeting is scheduled for Thursday, June 16, 2005 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Kansas Training Center , Kansas Army National Guard Building 219, 3010 Arnold at Salina. The subcommittee is focusing on FY 2006 EQIP delivery tools. Jessica Caylor is planning on attending. If you are interested or would like to share some ideas, call Jessica at our office—800-489-2676.
 

May 6, 2005

Bindel and Shelor Meet with Senator Pat Roberts and Ag Secretary Mike Johanns
Greg Shelor and Leo Bindel were invited to a roundtable discussion of Kansas ag leaders with Kansas Senator Pat Roberts and Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns on Tuesday. Roberts and Johanns were in Kansas City for an agroterrorism summit. Greg reported that the meeting went well with many ag groups in attendance.

Kansas Farm Bill Roundtable Monday
KGSPA will have growers at a meeting of several Kansas farm organizations to help reach a consensus in formulating policy and regulations for the 2007 Farm Bill. Leo Bindel and Greg Shelor plan to attend as well as staffer Sue Schulte. The meeting will be held at the Salina Holiday Inn at 10 a.m. on Monday, May 9. The meeting is being hosted by the Kansas Association of Wheat Growers with the goal of providing a united voice concerning the 2007 farm bill. This first informal meeting will begin with a presentation by Dr. Barry Flinchbaugh, Kansas State University.

Ethanol Rallies
We’ll be helping with two upcoming ethanol rallies:
 Robert White is at an Ethanol Rally today at Gorham, which is located west of Russell.

 E10 Unleaded will be featured at an ethanol rally at the Eudora Kwik Shop just off Highway 10 on Church Street beginning at 1:30 p.m. on Monday, May 9. The rally is sponsored by the Douglas County Farm Bureau and the Kansas Grain Sorghum and Corn Commissions.

Ethanol Blends Priced Favorably
Staffer Robert White reports that he has traveled across about two-thirds of the state this week, and E10 Unleaded has been normally priced below regular unleaded—often between two and seven cents below. Our office continues to field calls from people interested in using E10 or E85 in their vehicles. Also, as indicated below, our ethanol web site has been swamped with visitors.

Web Stats Show Ethanol Is Hot
We use a free webcounter service called StatCounter to keep track of how many people visit our web sites, and what pages they visit. Lately, the ethanol pages at ksgrains.com have been extremely busy. Although today’s list doesn’t show it, the grain sorghum web sites are often among the most visited pages—in fact the KGSPA page is often at #2 or #3.

Here are the most visited web pages today:

1 www.ksgrains.com/ The Main Page
2 www.ksgrains.com/ethanol/e85.html E85 Page
3 www.ksgrains.com/ethanol/ Kansas Ethanol Information Page
4 www.ksgrains.com/ethanol/E10unleaded.html E10 Unleaded Page
5 www.ksgrains.com/ethanol/news.html Ethanol News
6 www.ksgrains.com/ethanol/E10cities.html E10 Directory
7 www.ksgrains.com/ethanol/kseth.html Kansas Ethanol Information
8 www.ksgrains.com/ethanol/links.html Kansas Ethanol Links
9 www.ksgrains.com/ethanol/ddgs.html DDGS Page
10 www.ksgrains.com/sorghum KGSPA Page

The counter also shows where the visitors come from, and we have visitors from countries around the globe every day, including Africa, Japan, Germany, Poland, Netherlands, Australia, England, Mexico.

BSE Study Puts Beef Export Market Loss in Range of $3.2 to $4.7 Billion
KDA News Release--The Kansas Department of Agriculture and K-State Research and Extension today released "The Economic Impact of BSE on the U.S. Beef Industry," which provides a comprehensive assessment of the economic impact of lost export markets and policy changes affecting cattle procurement and processing. "The most significant economic impact of BSE is from lost beef export markets," said Kansas Secretary of Agriculture Adrian Polansky. "Alone, they accounted for a $3.2 to $4.7 billion revenue loss to the U.S. beef industry last year."

Within days of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s late 2003 announcement that a cow in Washington state had been diagnosed with bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), 53 countries banned imports of U.S. cattle and beef. In 2003, U.S. beef exports were valued at $3.95 billion and accounted for 9.6 percent of U.S. commercial beef production. Five countries – Japan, Mexico, South Korea, Canada and Hong Kong – received 90 percent of U.S. beef exports in 2003. Mexico and Canada partially resumed beef imports in 2004, but overall the quantity of U.S. exports fell by 82 percent below 2003 levels. Japan and South Korea have agreed in principle to resume beef imports from the United States, but neither country has committed to a date when that will occur. "Kansas’ fifth-largest export market in 2003 was Taiwan, and they resumed beef imports a little more than a week ago" Polansky said. "It’s progress, but we really need access to markets like Japan, which accounted for 35 percent of all U.S. beef export value in 2003."
See the entire report at: http://www.accesskansas.org/kda/News/newsre/BSEStudy.pdf
 

SORGHUM LEADER UPDATE

April 22, 2005

Welcome Tammy Wallace to the Staff!

Tammy Wallace has joined our staff as administrative assistant. Tammy and her husband Jeff live in Wellsville. Jeff is an engineer for Sprint. Be sure to welcome Tammy to our family the next time you call in!

House Passes Energy Bill

Yesterday, the House passed the energy bill on 249-183 vote. Congressmen Moran, Ryun and Tiahrt all voted in favor of the bill. Congressman Moore, who has supported ethanol and the energy bill in the past, voted against the bill. The Senate has said that it expects to take up the Energy Bill next month.

--The bill includes an RFS of 5 billion gallons of renewable fuels by 2012. 

--Clarifies the federal government’s role in siting liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities and provides for an efficient approval process. 

--Allows for new domestic oil and gas exploration and development, and streamlines permitting for natural gas projects on federal lands. 

--A new provision requires the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to create and publish a list of existing boutique fuels in order to establish a cap on the number of boutique fuels.

--Another new provision in the bill gives the U.S. Department of Energy the ability to establish "refinery revitalization zones" in areas with an unemployment rate 20 percent above the national average, as well as either a closed refinery or 50 or more layoffs in a major manufacturer.

--Contains an $8 billion tax title, larger than the White House’s request for a $6.7 billion energy plan.

--Includes the MTBE safe harbor provision contained in last year’s House bill, i.e., retroactive liability protection against defective product claims.

Alternative Fuel Meeting

Robert White met with state regulators, petroleum marketers, equipment manufacturers, and insurance companies yesterday to look at the future of alternative fuels in Kansas.  Robert will now be working with this group to help them better understand E85, and to ensure that the needed information is readily available for retailers and distributors.

E85 Prices Up to 60 Cents Below Regular Unleaded

E85 fuel prices at the four stations in Kansas are averaging between 30 and 60 cents below regular unleaded fuel. That is spurring a lot of interest from motorists and fuel retailers who want to know how to get in on the action. E85 is currently available at stations in Hays, Maize, Topeka and Garnett. Drivers in most areas of the state are seeing E10 prices at or below regular unleaded as well.

How is E10 being priced in your area?

Let us know—call Sue Schulte at 800-489-2676 or e-mail at sschulte@ksgrains.com

Drought Easing?

We still need more in northwest Kansas, but I think most would agree beneficial rains have really improved the crop outlook for Kansas this year. Even the US Drought Monitor shows improvement in the Northwest Kansas drought, although it still lists most of the northwest district in at least moderate drought. This week, Kansas Ag Statistics Crop Weather Report rates subsoil moisture at 80 percent adequate for the state. The report rates subsoil in the northwest district at 51% adequate. These numbers reflect the week ending April 17. See how the mid-April state subsoil figure compares to the same time frame over the past five years:

Year     Percent of state with adequate subsoil moisture

2005     80%

2004     47%

2003     35%

2002     22%

2001     75%

Education Efforts

Jessica Caylor has been at two major education events this month. She gave presentations at the Miami County Ag Day and spoke to about 500 kids about grain sorghum, ethanol and agriculture in general. She also gave presentations at the Earth Day event in Parsons. This event has been going on for years and had about 500 students from southeast Kansas. In addition, Jessica has prepared materials and teacher packets for several other educational events across the state.

Kansas Technical Committee Meeting May 2

A Kansas Technical Committee meeting is scheduled for 10 a.m. Monday, May 2, 2005, at the Natural Resources Conservation Service Conference Center, 747 Duvall, Salina, Kansas.  If you have any input on the programs listed below, or if you would like to attend the meeting, contact Jessica Caylor at the KGSPA office 800-489-2676. Tentative agenda items are: Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) CP33, Habitat Buffers for Upland Birds ; CRP Managed Grazing; EQIP Ranking Period

3-I Show April 28 through 30

Look for our booth at the 3-1 show April 28 through 30 at Garden City. You can find us in Booth 49 on the west end of Inside Exhibit Hall A. Kevin Lickteig will be manning the exhibit, so stop by and say hello. Also, remember that you can win a new Grain Sorghum jacket by recruiting two new members. The 3-I Show is an excellent opportunity to recruit members.

Sorghum Featured in Ethanol Today Article

Follow this link to read see the Ethanol Today article titled: Beyond Corn: Alternative Feedstocks for Ethanol Production

http://www.ksgrains.com/ethanol/Altfeedstocks.pdf

April 8, 2005

Governor Signs SB56
We’re happy to report that Governor Sebelius signed Senate Bill 56 on Monday. This is the bill that repeals the labeling requirement for fuels containing up to 10 percent ethanol.

“Ethanol burns cleaner and it is made right here in Kansas, so it helps both our environment and our economy. This bill is good for Kansas and it is good for the United States, because the increased use of ethanol helps us reduce our dependence on foreign oil,” Governor Sebelius said.

USDA Releases Prospective Plantings Report
USDA projected this week that producers will plant 7.4 million acres of sorghum in 2005. This is down 1% (or 86,000 acres) from 2004. Kansas is projected to have the most acres, 2.9 million, down 9 percent from 2004. Next in line is Texas with 2.5 million acres; Nebraska (390,000), Oklahoma (280,000), Colorado (260,000) and South Dakota (250,000). Illinois is expected to plant 153% of last year's acreage, and Arkansas is projected to have a 150% increase. Missouri and New Mexico acres are expected to remain consistent.
Here are the figures for Kansas:

Kansas Sorghum:
2003: 3.55 million acres
2004: 3.2 million acres
2005: 2.9 million acres

Producers Talk About Sorghum Mission
Gregg Graff of the Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission and Troy Skarke of the Texas Grain Sorghum Producers Board talked with members of the media last week about the sorghum mission to Morocco and Zambia. Learn about the FTA with Morocco and the country's first feed lot as well as U.N. World Food Program sorghum exports to Zambia online. The U.S. Grains Council projects that 8 million bushels of U.S. sorghum will be imported by Morocco over the next year. To put it in perspective, that's about 1.75% of WASDE's estimated 2004-2005 domestic production. Last year, about 45% of U.S. sorghum was used for feed, 41% for export and approximately 11% for ethanol. Food markets accounted for 1.58% and other industrial uses were targeted at 1.17%. Read the news release on the KGSPA or KGSC web site at www.ksgrains.com.

East Kansas Energy Looks at June 1 Opening
The EKAE ethanol plant is getting closer to beginning production. The plant is scheduled to be online by June 1. Kansas ethanol production is now at 135 million gallons per year and with the 35 million gallon EKAE plant, will increase to 170 million gallons.


Brownback Staffers Visit Western Plains Energy
Robert White escorted Senator Brownback’s Chief of Staff Rob Wassinger and Ag Legislative Assistant Riley Scott to Western Plains Energy on Thursday. Brownback’s staff heard the importance of a comprehensive energy bill with an aggressive renewable fuels standard. They also were told the benefits of state efforts with SB56. The two staff had never toured an ethanol plant before and were amazed by the facility.

White Talks to Pittsburg State Technology Class
We’re becoming regulars at the Pittsburg State campus. Robert White spoke to technology classes at PSU early this week. This began a few years ago, and since then we’ve been asked back regularly to talk to students. This is always a worthwhile effort that allows us to reach a large number of students.

You’d Look Great in a NEW Jacket!
Remember you only need sign up two new three-year members to earn your Kansas Grain Sorghum jacket!

Upcoming Basin Advisory Committee Meetings:
April 2005
18th - Neosho BAC, 1:00 pm, Baxter Springs, KS

May 2005
26th - Missouri BAC, 9:30 am, Leavenworth Community Center, Leavenworth, KS
 

March 24, 2005

Ethanol Labeling Bill Passes House 110-13!
A bill that would repeal a requirement to label fuel containing ethanol is on its way to Governor Kathleen Sebelius. Senate Bill 56, passed earlier by the Senate, received the approval of the Kansas House in a 110-13 vote on Wednesday. The bill is now on its way to the Governor, who is expected to sign it. Before the bill goes into effect, it must be signed by the Governor. In addition, the Kansas Department of Agriculture must revise its agency rules and regulations regarding pump labeling.

Getting Closer to Establishing DDGS Standards
Standards of Testing for DDGS are on the way, according to Land O’Lakes. Robert White listened to a presentation from them this week in New Orleans about how the marketers have pulled together to lead this effort. This has been a priority for some time, but has had little action. The top three DDGS marketers in the world, United Bio Energy, Commodity Specialist Company and Land O’Lakes, have all pulled together to be part of this new group. This group will make recommendations for standards of testing to the DDGS Working Group, which includes the Renewable Fuels Association; National Sorghum Producers, National Corn Growers Association and US Grains Council. They also plan to evolve the AFCO definitions of DDGS to include such variations that we see in Kansas with grain sorghum and wheat.

Kansas Sorghum Growers Explore Sorghum Market Opportunities in Africa
Three Kansas growers got a first hand look at efforts to build markets for U.S. sorghum in Africa. The growers returned this week from the US Grains Council’s Sorghum Mission to Africa. Kansas growers on the mission were Greg Graff, Kansas Grain Sorghum Commissioner from Marienthal; Jay Zimmerman, Kansas Grain Sorghum Commissioner from South Haven, and Charles Odgers of Sublette. Growers assessed the potential for growth in commercial uses for sorghum as well as food aid efforts. The US Grains Council group identified export opportunities for U.S. sorghum under the Moroccan Free-Trade Agreement and the United Nation’s World Food Program. During their stop in Zambia, they met with staff from the World Food Program, visiting relief sites in the country where there continues to be great demand and need for food aid sorghum in Zambia. Participants also attended the grand opening of a commercial beef feedlot that will be jointly managed by the Council and a Moroccan farmer’s coop. They visited with poultry sector representatives from the Moroccan Poultry Federation, an organization founded 10 years ago with the assistance of the Council.

Commissioners-elect for the Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission
The Kansas Department of Agriculture announced the winners of the commodity commission elections for Districts 4, 5 and 6. Below are the three candidates who were elected to KGSC. Congratulations to the winners!

District 4 – William Greving, who grows sorghum, wheat, corn and alfalfa with his wife, Diana, on a family farm near Prairie View in Phillips County. He was re-elected to the Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission, where he currently serves as secretary-treasurer. He also represents the National Sorghum Producers on the U.S. Grains Council joint policy advisory team and is on their executive board. He also has had positions in his church consistory and served 12 years on the school board.

District 5 – Clayton Short, who produces sorghum, wheat and soybeans on a dryland farm near Assaria in Saline County. He graduated from K-State with a degree in crop protection. He is a member of the Saline County Planning and Zoning Commission, Central Kansas Extension District, and other county and church boards.

District 6 – Jay Zimmerman, who grows grain sorghum and wheat with his wife, Glennis, near South Haven in Sumner County. He was re-elected to the Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission. He also has been a director of the National Sorghum Producers for three years and a member of the U.S. Grains Council. He is active on the local school board, as well as in other church and community activities.

KGSPA Scholarship
KGSPA is again offering a $250 scholarship to any undergraduate student in the College of Agriculture at Kansas State University who will be enrolled as a junior or senior in the 2005 – 2006 school year. Applications are available by calling Jessica at the KGSPA office or on our website at http://www.ksgrains.com/sorghum/2005KGSPAScholarship.pdf. The applications must be received by June 30, 2005. Please help us pass this information on to eligible students!

CBOT begins Ethanol Futures
Ethanol futures debuted Wednesday on the Chicago Board of Trade, joining corn, soybeans and wheat among the agricultural contracts bought and sold on the exchange. Trading in the corn-based gasoline additive was added following close collaboration with producers and refiners and should provide an efficient tool for managing price risk within the ethanol market, said Bernard Dan, the exchange's president and CEO. "This contract will help to manage price volatility and make ethanol a more viable commodity in the market," said Illinois Department of Agriculture Director Chuck Hartke, who attended a ceremony marking the contract's launch.

Ethanol Now in Bourbon County
You can now find ethanol in Bourbon—Bourbon County, that is. Three stations are selling E10 Unleaded thanks to efforts from KGSPA, Kansas Corn Growers and Kansas Farm Bureau. You can buy E10 Unleaded at the three Hills Service stations in Fort Scott.

Water and the Future of Kansas Conference
KGSPA’s Jessica Baetz attended the 22nd Annual Water and the Future of Kansas Conference in Topeka on March 17. Many of the presentations focused on ways that the many agencies and departments that deal with water issues can work together better to be more efficient and helpful to the citizens of Kansas. Display and session topics included groundwater issues, watershed management, interstate water issues, Kansas water policy and its impact on water quality and quantity, water security issues, and water resources research needs. If you would like more details about any of these sessions contact Jessica.

Kansas Alliance for Wetlands and Streams (KAWS) Accepting Applications
The Kansas Alliance for Wetlands and Streams (KAWS) organized in 1996 to promote the protection, enhancement, restoration and establishment of these important areas in Kansas. KAWS is funded primarily through grants to get demonstration projects completed and to increase education for a variety of targeted audiences including agricultural producers. KAWS is facilitating project implementation through local chapters – about $3 million worth of projects are currently completed or are in progress. Most of these projects are completed with local farmers and ranchers to help them solve natural resource concerns, especially to reduce non-point source pollution and/or restore and improve critical wildlife habitat. Examples of projects funded are wetland development, buffers, stream restoration, alternative water supplies, and riparian fencing. Many of these funds can be used in conjunction with other programs such as EQIP. KAWS has funding for new projects and is accepting applications. If you would like an application please contact Jessica.

BAC Schedule
April 2005
5th – Walnut BAC;, 6:15 pm, Red Coach Inn, 2525 W. Central, El Dorado
5th - Verdigris BAC, 1:00 pm, Neodesha Housing Authority, 118 South 6th, Neodesha
6th - Lower Arkansas BAC, 9:30 am, USDA Service Center, 9 West 28th Street, Hutchinson
7th - Kansas Lower-Republican BAC, 9:00 am, South Park Recreation Center, 1141 Massachusetts, Lawrence
18th – Neosho BAC, 1:00 pm, Baxter Springs

Thank our sponsors!
Remember to let your seed and chemical dealers know that we appreciate their company’s sponsorship of our membership program when you pick up your corn/sorghum seed and chemical this spring!

Earn your jacket!
Remember you only need two new three-year members to earn your Kansas Corn/Sorghum Jacket!
 

March 10, 2005

Ethanol Labeling Bill Continues to Move Forward
The bill that would eliminate the ethanol labeling requirement passed the House Agriculture Committee on Wednesday with only one dissenting vote. The next stop for the bill is the House floor. It already has passed the Kansas Senate.

Ag Programs May Carry Even Heavier Load in Budget Cuts If House Proposal Is Adopted
With the President’s proposed budget and goal of reducing annual federal deficits in half within five years, Congress is now considering the Fiscal Year 2006 Budget Resolution and budget reconciliation that could reopen the 2002 Farm bill and reduce mandatory funding for farm support and conservation programs. Senator Judd Gregg (R-NH) introduced his proposed legislation for markup that calls for a total of $40 billion in mandatory program savings over the next five years that is to include $2.7 billion in reductions from agriculture programs. More troubling, on the House side, Chairman Jim Nussle (R-IA) presented a five-year proposal requiring $68.6 billion in mandatory program savings with $5.3 billion to come from agriculture.

Greg Shelor in Washington DC for NGSP State Presidents’ Fly-In
Sorghum leadership and staff participating in NGSP's annual "State Presidents' D.C. Fly-In" this week are urging Congressmen to minimize cuts to the ag baseline, maintain the 2002 Farm Bill, pass an energy bill and increase appropriations for sorghum research. The Senate and House Budget Committees marked up the FY06 budget resolutions just as sorghum leaders were on Capitol Hill. Before hitting Capitol Hill with NGSP's legislative priorities list, participants will be briefed about the budget process, proposed cuts to sorghum research, the renewable fuels standard and natural gas issues. Producers participating include Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers President Greg Shelor of Minneola. Greg is also NGSP’s Vice-President for Legislation. State staff included Robert White from the Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association. Greg and Robert reported today that they were having productive meetings with our Kansas Senators and Representatives, but said that the House proposal mentioned above was a disappointing development. But they noted there is some optimism in Washington that in the end, the budget cuts may be closer to the more moderate Senate proposal.

Senator Roberts Leads Opposition to Farm Program Cuts
Senator Pat Roberts was one of the original co-signers of the Coleman/Edwards/Roberts letter which opposed the proposed cuts to farm program. We’ve thanked the Senator for his leadership on this issue.

Three Kansas Growers on Sorghum Mission to Africa March 4-15
Participants in a US Grains Council Sorghum Mission to Africa are identifying export opportunities for U.S. sorghum under the Moroccan Free-Trade Agreement and the United Nation’s World Food Program. During their stop in Zambia, they will meet with staff from the World Food Program, visiting relief sites in the country. There continues to be great demand and need for food aid sorghum in Zambia. Participants also will attend the grand opening of a commercial “demonstration” feedlot that will be jointly managed by the Council and a Moroccan farmer’s coop. They will also visit with poultry sector representatives from the Moroccan Poultry Federation, an organization founded 10 years ago with the assistance of the Council. Participants include three Kansas sorghum growers: Gregg Graff, Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission; Jay Zimmerman, Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission, and Charles Odgers of Sublette.

Renewable Energy Projects Prioritized for USDA Grant Program
Renewable energy projects will receive special attention in this year’s Value Added Producer Grant (VAPG) program. USDA Rural Development announced this week informational meetings for people interested in applying for the grants. The Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association encourages growers to look into the grants as way to help develop value added projects. Priority consideration will be given to Value-Added Producer Grant Program applications that have at least 51% of eligible project costs dedicated to activities for a bio-energy project.

The four USDA Rural Development value-added program informational meetings will be held:

Iola--March 21, 2005: 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., Allen County Community College, Administration Building, Lecture Hall, 1801 N. Cottonwood

Dodge City--March 23, 2005: 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., Dodge City Community College Area Technical Center, Student Union Building, Ford County Room, 2501 North 14th Avenue

Colby--March 24, 2005: 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., Colby Community Building, Little Theater, 285 East 5th Street

Manhattan--March 28, 2005: 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., Riley County Fairgrounds, Pottorf Hall, Konza Room, Avery Avenue (South of Kimball)

Indy Racing League to Burn Ethanol
From the Associated Press: Gasoline Alley at the Indianapolis 500 will soon become Ethanol Alley: The Indy Racing League is switching from methanol to a new mixture relying on ethanol. The league's IndyCar Series will start using ethanol next year, the league said Wednesday. It's a small market for ethanol, involving 160,000 gallons out of 3.5 billion produced each year. But it's a big symbolic gesture meant to counter perceptions that ethanol doesn't perform as well as gasoline or other fuels. "It's a performance fuel that's going to go around the track at 220 miles an hour," said Dave Vander Griend, president of ICM Inc., a Kansas company that builds ethanol plants. Cars in the Indy series will use a blend with 10 percent ethanol next year, then switch to 100 percent ethanol in 2007.

Checking the Drought Monitor
The northwest district of Kansas remains in severe drought, according to the US Drought Monitor. Looking at the monitor’s 12-week animation, little has changed for the northwest district during the past three months. Also, this district was in varying degrees of drought throughout 2004. Currently, the monitor shows the state’s remaining northernmost counties and most of the west-central district as abnormally dry. The remainder of the state is rated as normal. Take a look for yourself at: http://www.drought.unl.edu/dm/monitor.html
 

February 28, 2005

ACTION ALERT: Urge Your Congressman to Sign Letter Soon
Contact your congressional offices as soon as possible to urge your Senators and Representatives to sign onto either the Emerson letter for House members or the Coleman/Lincoln/Roberts letter for Senate members by the deadline of Wednesday, March 2nd. KGSPA has contacted the congressional offices asking them to sign the letters, and has sent a letter of thanks to the office of Senator Pat Roberts, who was an original signer of the Senate letter.

As of earlier today, the following members have signed one of the letters: Senators Coleman, Lincoln, Roberts, Talent, Burns, Thune, Vitter, Isakson, Specter, Dole, Warner, Bond, Craig, Baucus, Landrieu, Pryor, Stabenow, Allen, Harkin, Johnson and Salazar; and Representatives Emerson, McMorris, Graves, Kingston, Pastor, Etheridge, Berry, Skelton, Scott and Boyd.
If your members of Congress are not included in the list above, please make getting in touch with them a priority. The letter-signing is important in building political support among members to develop an alternative to the proposed budget for agriculture. Your profitability would be significantly impacted by the proposed budget. Please communicate with your members of Congress regarding the expected impacts of the proposed budget on your operation. NGSP recommends the following course of action:

STEP 1: Fax the attached letter to your Representatives and Senators. Either sign your name to the attached letter or use the letter as a draft and personalize it.

STEP 2: Follow-up with a phone call to communicate with Congressional staff regarding your concerns about the proposed cuts. Also ask to make sure that staff received your fax. Use the following talking points:
• The proposed budget is written to reduce crop program payments by 5%. However, the proposed cuts will likely reduce payments made to sorghum farmers by 20%. The limiting of the amount of grain eligible to be marketed through non-recourse loans could make a significant negative impact on my operation.
• Ask House members to sign the Emerson letter. Ask Senate offices to sign the Coleman/Lincoln/Roberts letter. Please sign the letter no later than March 2nd, in support of ensuring my profitability.
• If Congress decides that cuts are necessary, the Ag committee needs to make the policy decisions.
• Sorghum association state presidents will be in Washington, D.C. March 8-10. Sorghum staff will be working to set-up meetings to follow-up with your office on this effort.
• Thank you for working with sorghum growers like me to work through issues such as these that arise. I look forward to working with you in the 109th Congress.

Labeling Bill
The bill that would eliminate the ethanol labeling requirement passed the Kansas Senate last week. Testifying in favor of SB56 at the Senate Agriculture Committee on February 16 were KGSPA’s Jere White and others, including Kansas Ag Secretary Adrian Polansky and American Coalition for Ethanol’s Ron Lamberty. Once approved by the full Senate, the bill was referred to the House Transportation Committee.

2005 Grain Congress in Reno
Several Kansas sorghum producers were at Grain Congress in Reno last week. Representing Kansas grain sorghum were: Greg Shelor, Jeff Filinger, Bill Greving, Rich Callaham, Jay Zimmerman, Jeff Casten, Jere White, Robert White and Kevin Lickteig.

Pancake Feed Big Success
We’re happy to report that the 10th Annual Wake Up to Kansas Agriculture held on Tuesday, February 15 was a success. We hosted the pancake feed with the Kansas Association of Wheat Growers and the Kansas Corn Growers Association. Pancake flippers and servers were: Greg Shelor, Minneola; Jeff Filinger, Cuba; Kelly Miller, Ellinwood; Ted Birtell, Scranton, and Art and Sidna Small, Neodesha. On hand from the Commission were Kevin Lickteig, Administrator, and Chairman Jeff Casten of Quenemo. Greg Shelor represented KGSPA on WIBW’s Ag Issues morning radio program with Kelly Lenz.

Congressional Directory
Below is a Congressional directory to use with the attached action alert. Senator Pat Roberts has signed the Senate letter and does not need to be contacted.
Clip this list and keep it handy for future reference.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Kansas Congressional Directory

Representative Jerry Moran
1st District
Phone: 202-225-2715
Fax: 202-225-5124

Representative Jim Ryun
2nd District
Phone: 202-225-6601
Phone: 202-225-7986

Representative Dennis Moore
3rd District
Phone: 202-225-2865
Fax: 202-225-2807

Representative Todd Tiahrt
4th District
Phone: 202-225-6216
Fax: 202-225-3489

Senator Pat Roberts
Phone: 202-224-4774
Fax: 202-224-3514

Senator Sam Brownback
Phone: 202-224-6521
Fax: 202-228-1265
 

February 11, 2005

Busy Week
Next week is shaping up to be a busy week. But that’s no excuse to forget Valentine’s Day on Monday!

KGSPA Board Meeting Monday!
The KGSPA board will meet the afternoon of Feb. 14 at the Topeka Holidome.

Pancake Feed Tuesday!
We’re looking forward to seeing you at our annual Legislative “Wake Up to Kansas Agriculture” Breakfast, Feb. 15 at the Assumption Church in Topeka. Pancakes start flipping at 6:00 a.m. We have your apron ready!

Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission Meeting Tuesday
The Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission will meet at 9:30 a.m. Feb. 15 at the Kansas Crop Improvement Association office in Manhattan.

Hearing for SB 56 Set for Wednesday
A hearing has been set for SB 56 on February 16th in the Kansas Senate Agriculture Committee. This bill will remove the mandatory labeling requirement for ethanol. Similar legislation has been passed in 11 other states, with ethanol usage increasing as much as 425% in one of those.

North American Grain Congress Is In Reno, Feb. 19-22
Attendees at the inaugural North American Grain Congress in Reno, Nev. Feb. 19-22 will hear from Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) President Bob Dinneen, who will speak at the Grain Congress general session. The Grain Congress is the first joint conference of the National Sorghum Producers (NGSP) and the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG).

USGC Membership Meeting – Huntington Beach
Kansas Grain Sorghum was well represented at the US Grains Council’s Annual Membership Meeting in Huntington Beach, California. Gregg Graff and Jay Zimmerman represented KGSC. Bill Greving attended, representing NGSP. Staff members attending were Kevin Licktieg, KGSC. Jere White and Robert White, were also in attendance on behalf of the Kansas Corn Commission.

Silage Sorghum Crop Insurance Meetings Wrap Up
The final round of Silage Sorghum Crop Insurance pilot program meetings wrapped up this week. The Silage Sorghum Crop Insurance Pilot Program informational meetings were a joint effort by NGSP, KGSPA, and K-State and are made possible by a grant from the Risk Management Agency. NGSP also mailed informational brochures to growers in the counties where the program is being offered and has information on the program posted on its web site at www.sorghumgrowers.com. We also have a direct link to the information on our sorghum web sites at www.ksgrains.com

Recruit a Couple of New Members, Get a Jacket!
We have a supply of great looking Kansas Grain Sorghum jackets in the office and are waiting to award one to you. All you have to do is sign up two new 3-year members for KGSPA and the jacket is yours. Our members make our association strong, and you’ll look great in a new jacket!

President Renews Commitment to Pass Energy Bill
President George Bush renewed his commitment to pass the comprehensive energy bill during State of the Union address last week, which is good news for ethanol. The President highlighted the energy bill as part of his program to stimulate the economy, create jobs, and protect American security. We will continue to work to pass this legislation and the Renewable Fuels Standard. The Kansas Congressional delegation has remained firmly committed to passing the Energy Bill.

Disaster Assistance Details
Signup for the Crop Disaster Program (CDP) approved by Congress in October will likely begin in March, with payments starting to roll out to producers in April. Payments will reportedly again be made for quality losses via the CDP program and will be made as they were before, using USDA's quality loss tables.

2005 Crop Loan Rates Announced
USDA recently announced 2005 crop corn, grain sorghum, and soybean national and county loan rates. National loan rates are: corn $1.95 per bushel, grain sorghum $1.95 per bushel, and soybeans $5.00 per bushel. The 2005-crop county loan rates for corn, grain sorghum and soybeans will be available on the Farm Service Agency web site at:
http://www.fsa.usda.gov/dafp/psd/LoanRate.htm

Basin Advisory Committees
Upcoming BAC Meetings:
February 2005
25th - Missouri BAC, 9:00 am, Hiawatha, KS
28th - Upper Arkansas BAC, Finnup Center, 2:00, Garden City, KS

March 2005
1st - Cimarron BAC, Pioneer Communications Bldg., 9:00 am, Ulysses, KS
2nd - Smoky Hill-Saline BAC, Sternberg Museum, 9:30 am, Hays, KS
2nd - Solomon BAC, Rooks County Health Department, 7:00 pm, Stockton, KS
3rd - Marais des Cygnes BAC, 1:30 pm; Osawatomie, KS
3rd - Upper Republican BAC, Colby Community College Student Union, 9:30 am, Colby, KS


 

January 28, 2005

Bill to Repeal Ethanol Labeling Introduced
A bill that would repeal the law requiring fuel containing ethanol to be labeled was introduced in the Kansas Senate Agriculture Committee Jan. 19, and a hearing has been set for February 16. We sent out talking points in the last Leader Update, and a news release we sent out last week is included in this mailing.

Robert White Is Vice Chair of National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition
Robert White was elected Vice Chairman of the National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition this week at their Annual Meeting in Miami, FL. The mission of the NEVC is to promote the use of 85 percent ethanol as a renewable form of alternative transportation fuel while enhancing agricultural profitability, advancing environmental stewardship and promoting national energy independence. The NEVC has provided funding for four E85 locations in Kansas.

Silage Sorghum Crop Insurance Meetings—Four to Go!
The final round of Silage Sorghum Crop Insurance pilot program meetings will be held in early February. The dates are listed below. Sorghum Silage Crop Insurance Pilot Program informational meetings are a joint effort by NGSP, KGSPA, and K-State and are made possible by a grant from the Risk Management Agency. Here is a schedule of the remaining meetings:

Feb. 8 Dodge City at 9:30 a.m. at the 4-H Building
Feb. 8 Ulysses at 3 p.m. at the Civic Center Lawson Room
Feb. 9 Hugoton at 9:30 a.m. at the Fair Office Building
Feb. 10 Lamar, CO at 9:30 a.m. at the Cow Palace Inn

Pancake Feed February 15!
We’re looking forward to seeing you at our annual Legislative “Wake Up to Kansas Agriculture” Breakfast, Feb. 15 at the Assumption Church in Topeka. The KGSPA board will meet the afternoon of Feb. 14 at the Topeka Holidome.

Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission Meeting Feb. 15
The Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission will meet at 9:30 a.m. Feb. 15 at the Kansas Crop Improvement Association office in Manhattan.

Robert White on Bioscience Hot Team
KGSPA staffer Robert White has been chosen to serve on the Plant Sciences Hot Team for the State of Kansas Bioscience and Innovation Roadmap. This group is part of a collaborative statewide process to create bioscience-related initiatives to benefit the state. The team held its first meeting last Friday. Robert said the team appears to be interested in having a sorghum focus. We’ll be interested to see how this evolves.

Recruit a Couple of New Members, Get a Jacket!
We have a supply of very nice Kansas Grain Sorghum jackets in the office and are waiting to award one to you. All you have to do is sign up two new 3-year members for KGSPA and the jacket is yours. Our members make our association strong, and you’ll look great in a new jacket! Now get out there and sign up some members!

North American Grain Congress Is In Reno, Feb. 19-22
Attendees at the inaugural North American Grain Congress in Reno, Nev. Feb. 19-22 will hear from Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) President Bob Dinneen, who will speak at the Grain Congress general session. The Grain Congress is the first joint conference of the National Sorghum Producers (NGSP) and the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG). Early bird registration ends Feb. 1

Basin Advisory Committees—Get Involved!
Please review the packet of information sent to board members and commissioners by KGSPA staffer Jessica Caylor. The packets contain information about the BACs and application forms if you or someone you know would like to apply for a position.

Upcoming BAC Meetings:
February 2005
25th - Missouri BAC, 9:00 am; Hiawatha, KS
28th - Upper Arkansas BAC, Finnup Center, 2:00, Garden City, KS

March 2005
1st - Cimarron BAC, Pioneer Communications Bldg., 9:00 am, Ulysses, KS
2nd - Smoky Hill-Saline BAC, Sternberg Museum, 9:30 am, Hays, KS
2nd - Solomon BAC, Rooks County Health Department, 7:00 pm, Stockton, KS
3rd - Marais des Cygnes BAC, 1:30 pm; Osawatomie, KS
3rd - Upper Republican BAC, Colby Community College Student Union, 9:30 am, Colby, KS

Layman’s Guide to Kansas Water Terminology and Acronyms
What’s the difference is between an oligotrophic lake and a mesotrophic lake? What about TDS, TSS, NTU, MCL, GAC, NPDES, or BAT? You’ll find the answers to these questions and more in the Layman’s Guide to Kansas Water Terminology and Acronyms. This guide is a good companion to the BAC packets sent out recently. We are enclosing the guides, developed by the Kansas Environmental Leadership Program, for your use.

January 14, 2005

Kansas Produces 220.4 Million Bushels of Sorghum—48% of the US Crop
Kansas grain sorghum production for 2004 was 220.4 million bushels, according to the Ag Statistics Report released today. Kansas had an average yield of 76 bushels per acre on 2.9 million harvested acres. The average yield was 31 bushels per acre higher than 2003. Kansas produced 48.4 percent of the 2004 US sorghum crop. Sorghum silage production, at 910,000 tons, was up 63 percent from last year. Nationally: Sorghum for grain production in 2004 is estimated at 455 million bushels, down 4 percent from the November forecast but 11 percent above 2003. Area harvested for grain is estimated at 6.52 million acres, down 16 percent from 2003. Average grain yield, at 69.8 bushels per acre, is 17.1 bushels above the 2003 average yield. Kansas is first in US Sorghum production followed by: Texas--127.1 million bushels; Nebraska—33.6 million bushels; Missouri—15.7 million bushels; Oklahoma—14.4 million bushels.

Sorghum Silage Crop Insurance Meetings
The first round of Silage Sorghum meetings went well, although bad weather hurt attendance at some locations. Meetings were held this week in Hoxie, Hays, Stockton and Colby. The best attended meeting was held in Colby where about 30 growers came to hear about the new crop insurance product. In addition to the silage meeting, the Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission held a Sorghum Profit Meeting following the Colby silage sorghum insurance meeting. Commissioner Rich Calliham of Colby led a producer panel discussion. Other speakers were: KGSPA staffer Robert White, Eric Sperber, Western Plains Energy; Ken Kofoid, KSU Hays Research Center. Sorghum Silage Crop Insurance Pilot Program informational meetings are a joint effort by NGSP, KGSPA, and K-State and are made possible by a grant from the Risk Management Agency. Here is a schedule of the remaining meetings.

Jan. 18 Sharon Springs at 9:30 a.m., CAB on the Fairgrounds
Jan. 19 Dighton at 9 a.m., 4-H Building
Jan. 19 Leoti at 3:30 p.m. at the Community Building
Jan. 20 Lakin at 9:30 a.m. at the Fair Building
Jan 27 Walsh, CO at 6 p.m. at the Community Building
Feb. 8 Dodge City at 9:30 a.m. at the 4-H Building
Feb. 8 Ulysses at 3 p.m. at the Civic Center Lawson Room
Feb. 9 Hugoton at 9:30 a.m. at the Fair Office Building
Feb. 10 Lamar, CO at 9:30 a.m. at the Cow Palace Inn

Pancake Feed Feb. 15!
We’re looking forward to seeing you at our annual Legislative “Wake Up to Kansas Agriculture” Breakfast, Feb. 15 at the Assumption Church in Topeka. We host this with the corn and wheat associations., and it gives our growers a great opportunity to visit with their state legislators about issues facing Kansas farmers. The KGSPA board will meet the afternoon of Feb. 14 at the Topeka Holidome.

Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission Meeting Feb. 15
The Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission will meet at 9:30 a.m. Feb. 15 at the Kansas Crop Improvement Association office in Manhattan.

Pratt Plant Nearing Construction, Kansas Production to Grow
According to a recent article in the Pratt Tribune, Wildcat Energy LLC will break ground on a 50 million gallon ethanol plant at Pratt in the very near future. Organizers told the newspaper that they hoped to be in production in the first quarter of 2006. Between this project and the Garnett plant, which is slated to begin production in June, we could easily see the addition of 85 million gallons to Kansas’ ethanol production capacity. Add to that the Phillipsburg plant, which could begin construction this year of a 40 million gallon plant. With the addition of the Garnett, Pratt and Phillipsburg plants, Kansas could have ethanol production capacity of 271.5 million gallons in 2006. KGSPA Director of Value Added Programs Robert White estimates that Kansas ethanol production will use 37.2 million bushels of sorghum and 23.9 million bushels of corn in 2005. In 2006, Kansas ethanol production is expected to use 63.1 million bushels of grain sorghum and 47 million bushels of corn.

Ethanol Labeling Issue
The Kansas Legislature convened this week. Look for an effort in the Kansas legislature to repeal the law that requires ethanol blended fuel to be labeled. KGSPA and other organizations that support ethanol are pushing to repeal the outdated labeling law.

Kansas adopted an alcohol labeling law in the early 1980s in response to problems resulting from efforts to extend gasoline supplies during the fuel shortages in the 1970s. “Gasohol” containing methanol, ethanol and other unrefined alcohol fuels, was materially inconsistent.

The bottom line is that the alcohol labeling requirement is no longer necessary because there are no health, environmental or automotive risks associated with ethanol. While the mandatory alcohol label causes ethanol to be perceived in a negative light, ethanol is a beneficial fuel additive that increases octane, helps rural Kansas, reduces our dependence on foreign oil and reduces harmful emissions. Eliminating the ethanol labeling requirement will open the door to positive, voluntary promotion of ethanol, and will benefit our state’s economy. See the attached talking points for more information and background.

BAC Meeting Schedule
January 2005
19th - Walnut Basin Advisory Committee Meeting, Mascio's Restaurant, 6:15 pm, Augusta, KS
26th - Basin Advisory Committees Chairpersons Meeting, Ramada Inn Downtown, Topeka, Kansas
27th - Kansas Water Authority Meeting, Ramada Inn Downtown, Topeka, KS

February 2005
28th - Upper Arkansas Basin Advisory Committee Meeting, Finnup Center, 1:30, Garden City, KS

Kansas Water Congress
Jessica Caylor attended the Kansas Water Congress Winter meeting January 10, in Topeka. The Irrigation Transition Assistance Program was one of the topics discussed by panelists, Greg Foley (State Conservation Commission), David Pope (Division of Water Resources), and Tracy Streeter (Kansas Water Office).
 

December 30, 2004

Happy New Year!

Kansas Growers Win Honors in National Yield Contest
Three Kansas growers earned national honors in the 2004 National Grain Sorghum Yield and Management Contest sponsored by the National Sorghum Producers (NGSP). NGSP scores each entry by how much it surpasses the county average.

Gary Resco from Cloud County placed first in the Conventional-Till Non-Irrigated division with a yield of 186.98 bushels per acre, beating the county average by 134.98 bushels per acre with Pioneer 84G62.

Roger Johnson of Sheridan County placed third in the Reduced-Till Irrigated division with a yield of 180.74 bushels per acre, beating the county average by 88.74 bushels per acre with Pioneer 84G62.

Ki Gamble of Kiowa County placed third in the Conventional-Till Irrigated division with a yield of 213.55 bushels per acre, beating the county average by 109.05 bushels per acre with Pioneer 84G62. With 213.55 bushels per acre, Ki Gamble had the highest yield in the contest, but not the highest score.

National and state winners will be recognized at an awards banquet to be held Tuesday, February 22nd in conjunction with the first North American Grain Congress in Reno, Nevada.

Pancake Feed Feb. 15!
Mark your calendars for our annual Legislative “Wake Up to Kansas Agriculture” Breakfast, Feb. 15 at the Assumption Church in Topeka. We host this with the corn and wheat associations., and it gives our growers a great opportunity to visit with their state legislators about issues facing Kansas farmers. The KGSPA board will meet the afternoon of Feb. 14 at the Topeka Holidome.

WPE Expansion to be Completed Jan. 4
Western Plains Energy LLC plans to complete its 10 million gallon expansion on Jan. 4. The plant’s boilerplate capacity will be increased to 40 million gallons per year.

HR 5140 Ammonium Nitrate Security Act
Introduced by Representative Maurice Hinchey (D-NY), this bill concerns the sale/use of detonable nitrate fertilizers including Potassium Nitrate and Sodium Nitrate. The bill would require that locations/producers handling or using these fertilizers be certified or registered. This would be somewhat similar to how restricted use pesticides handled with the private/commercial applicator license. As proposed the regulating body would be either the ATF or the Department of Homeland Security. It has been suggested that USDA would be a better alternative. We will be looking into the bill.

Sorghum Silage Crop Insurance Meetings
NGSP is finalizing plans for a series of informational meetings on the 2005 Sorghum Silage Crop Insurance Pilot Program, which will be available in 37 western Kansas counties and two Colorado counties. These meetings are a joint effort by NGSP, KGSPA, and K-State and are made possible by a grant from the Risk Management Agency.

January dates are:
Jan. 11 Hoxie, 9 a.m. at the 4-H Building
Jan 11 Hays, 4 p.m. at the Extension Office
Jan 12 Stockton, 9 a.m. at the 4-H Building
Jan. 13 Colby, 9 a.m. at the 4-H Building
Jan. 18 Sharon Springs, 9:30 a.m., date and location TBA
Jan. 19 Dighton, 9 a.m. at the 4-H Building
Jan. 19 Leoti, 3:30 p.m. at the Community Building
Jan. 20 Lakin, 9:30 a.m. at the Fair Building
Jan 27 Walsh, CO, 6 p.m. at the Community Building

Meetings are being scheduled at Dodge City, Ulysses, Hugoton and Lamar, Colo in early February.

Topeka Farm Show Is Coming Up
We’ll be at the Topeka Farm Show January 11 through 13 at the Kansas Expo Center. Kevin Lickteig will man the booth. This is a good farm show and we encourage you to stop by our booth.

BAC Meeting Schedule
January 2005
 19th - Walnut BAC, Mascio's Restaurant, 6:15 pm, Augusta
 20th - Lower Arkansas BAC, USDA Service Center, 9:30 am, Hutchinson

Information on Product to Stop Anhydrous Theft, Leaks
Attached is an information sheet compiled by Jessica Caylor on GloTell™, an additive to stop theft and detect leaks of anhydrous ammonia.

GloTell™ : What Is It?

GloTell™ is an organic, non-toxic, pink additive that can be added to anhydrous ammonia to help stop theft and detect leaks. It was developed by a farmer in Southern Illinois who was experiencing large amounts of ammonia theft from his on-farm storage facility.
 

GloTell™ : How It Works

GloTell works both to deter theft and detect leaks. To use it, farmers and dealers add the substance to their ammonia, injecting it in their tanks much like they would ammonia itself. GloTell is packaged in 30 ounce containers and is added at a rate of 1.5 oz GloTell / ton NH3.

When anhydrous with GloTell is released into the atmosphere it turns bright pink and stains what it touches. This visible stain, is detectable for 24 to 72 hours and biodegrades in sunlight.

In detecting leaks, this mark comes in handy - farmers can look for pink and see exactly where their ammonia is getting out.
It deters thieves because the pink stain can not only identify them to law enforcement, but the GloTell™ somehow interrupts the production of meth and makes the process of drying the drug take longer.

According to Royster Clark, the distributor of GloTell, it is being used by 85 retailers and tanks marked with GloTell decals have had a decreased amount of theft. Cost is $9/ton. There are no requirements in Kansas for the use of GloTell.

More information can be found at www.glotell.com or by calling 866-STOP- METH.
 

December 17, 2004

Merry Christmas!
We hope you all have a very Merry Christmas with your family and friends. The office will be closed Friday, Dec. 24 and Monday, Dec. 27. We will also be closed on New Year’s Eve, Friday, Dec. 31.

Sorghum Silage Crop Insurance Meetings
NGSP is finalizing plans for a series of informational meetings on the 2005 Sorghum Silage Crop Insurance Pilot Program, which will be available in 37 western Kansas counties and two Colorado counties. These meetings are a joint effort by NGSP, KGSPA, and K-State and are made possible by a grant from the Risk Management Agency. You will be hearing more about these meetings in the near future

Tentative January dates are:
Jan. 11--Hoxie, 9 a.m. at the 4-H Building
Jan 11--Hays, 4 p.m. at the Extension Office
Jan 12--Stockton, 9 a.m. at the 4-H Building
Jan. 13--Colby, 9 a.m. at the 4-H Building
Jan. 18--Sharon Springs, 9:30 a.m., date and location TBA
Jan. 19--Dighton, 9 a.m., location TBA
Jan. 19--Leoti, 3:30 p.m. at the Community Building
Jan. 20--Lakin, 9:30 a.m. at the Fair Building
Jan 27--Walsh, CO, 6 p.m. at the Community Building
Dodge City, date and location TBA
Ulysses, date and location TBA
Hugoton, date and location TBA

Sorghum Commission Candidates
Ballots for the commodity commission elections will be mailed the first of January. Below are the candidates who filed for the Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission election.

District 4: Steven Clanton, Ottawa County; William Greving, Phillips County

District 5: Clayton Short, Saline County

District 6: Jay Zimmerman, Sumner County

KGSC’s First Sorghum Profit Meetings Are a Success
The Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission (KGSC) hosted the first three Sorghum Profit Meetings in Marysville, Ottawa and Fredonia last week. Those meetings were well attended and growers attending gave the meetings high marks. Thanks to all who participated. Meetings in the central and western districts are being planned. WIBW Radio’s Kelly Lenz broadcasted live from the Ottawa meeting, and KKOW radio did a live broadcast from the Fredonia meeting.

US Grains Council Meeting in Cancun
The US Grain Council hosted the International Marketing Conference in Cancun, Mexico Dec. 10 through 14, followed by a Board of Directors meeting on Dec. 15. Attending for KGSC were Greg Graff who is on the Rest of the World A-Team and Jay Zimmerman, who is on the Asia A-Team. Bill Greving attended for NGSP, and he serves on the Joint Trade Policy A-Team. Also, Jere White, who is on the Rest of the World Programs A-Team, and Robert White, who is on the Value Added Programs A-Team were at the meeting.

Robert White shared the following information gleaned from the meeting:

• Sorghum continues to flow into Mexico at a high rate, over 9.8MMT of corn and sorghum last year!

• A Sorghum Mission is being planned to Morocco, at a minimum, for this spring. The mission plans to meet with both the World Food Program and Food Aid representatives.

• White Sorghum – work needs to be done in Japan, lack of market signals between end-user and supplier.

• DDGS export markets continue to increase:
             Product is now found in Taiwan, Korea, most of S.E. Asia, Mexico, Canada, Latin America and others.
             Russia may be buyer soon, working on import tariffs.
             Definitely a lot of potential!

Topeka Farm Show Is Coming Up
We’ll be at the Topeka Farm Show January 11 through 13 at the Kansas Expo Center. Kevin Lickteig will man the booth. This is a good farm show and we encourage you to stop by our booth.

BAC Meeting Schedule
Jan. 19th - Walnut BAC, Mascio's Restaurant, 6:15 pm, Augusta
Jan. 20th - Lower Arkansas BAC, USDA Service Center, 9:30 am, Hutchinson
 

December 3, 2004

Commodity Classic—Weather Is No Obstacle
Although a snow storm slowed arrivals to the Kansas Commodity Classic in Garden City on Tuesday, the event drew a near capacity crowd by mid morning. Growers heard from Congressman Jerry Moran and also from a panel of lobbyists from the corn, sorghum, wheat and cotton national associations. The morning’s discussions centered on the upcoming legislative session. Following lunch, growers participated in two of six breakout sessions with topics ranging from pesticides, marketing, irrigation and aquifer management, state legislative priorities and crop insurance. Participation in these sessions was excellent.

It’s Farm Show Season!
We’ve been busy exhibiting at farm shows this fall. Kevin Lickteig has manned the booth at the Wichita Farm Show and Kansas Agri-Business Expo in November and is now at the Kansas Livestock Association trade show. The Topeka Farm Show will be January 11 through 13 at the Kansas Expo Center.

BAC Meeting Schedule
Below is a schedule of upcoming Basin Advisory Committee Meetings. We encourage growers to become involved in their Basin Advisory Committee.

December 2004
8th - Smoky Hill-Saline Basin Advisory Committee Meeting, Sternberg Museum, 1:30 pm, Hays

January 2005
13th - Verdigris Basin Advisory Committee Meeting, Fredonia
19th - Walnut Basin Advisory Committee Meeting, Mascio's Restaurant, 6:15 pm, Augusta
20th - Lower Arkansas Basin Advisory Committee Meeting, USDA Service Center, 9:30 am, Hutchinson
26th & 27th - Kansas Water Authority Meeting, Topeka

ITAP Meetings Scheduled for Dec. 21
Two public hearings will be held on December 31 for the Irrigation Transition Assistance Program regulations. The first meeting will be held at the State Conservation Commission Conference Room, 109 SW 9th, Suite 500, Topeka Kansas at 9 a.m. on Dec. 21. The second meeting will be held at 6 p.m. on Dec. 21 at the Highland Hotel, 3200 10th St., Great Bend.

KGSPA Re-Elects Officers
The Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association reelected its slate of officers following the association’s annual meeting on Nov. 30. Greg Shelor, Minneola was reelected president; Kelly Miller, Ellinwood, was reelected vice president; Jeff Filinger was reelected secretary and Earl Roemer was reelected treasurer. The officers are elected annually.

Governor Sebelius Is Vice Chair of Governors Ethanol Coalition
Gov. Kathleen Sebelius has been elected vice-chairwoman of the National Governors' Ethanol Coalition, putting her in line to lead the organization next year. Sebelius will begin her tenure as vice-chairwoman in January. She will become chairwoman in 2006.

KGSC to Host Sorghum Profit Meetings
The Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission (KGSC) is hosting a series of Sorghum Profit Meetings in eastern Kansas, during the week of December 6 in Eastern Kansas. The meetings will feature grower panels and speakers from National Sorghum Producers (NGSP), Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association (KGSPA) and Kansas State University. The meetings, including the meals, will be offered free to growers.

Tuesday, December 7, at 10 a.m. at Marysville, Kansas American Legion (310 North 19th Street- 2 blocks North of Highway 36). A chili and soup lunch will be served. In addition to the KSU, NGSP and KGSPA speakers, Commissioner Leo Bindel will head the producer panel. We will finish at 2:00 pm and hope to keep things moving quickly and allow for plenty of questions and discussion. Meal reservations are encouraged and can be made by calling toll-free 866-457-6456.

December 9, at 10 a.m. at Fredonia at the KSU Extension Office in the courthouse basement. In addition to the KSU, NGSP and KGSPA speakers, there will be a producer panel featuring commissioner Kathy Claiborne of Fredonia, and two other producers explaining their farming rotations. Meal reservations are encouraged and can be made by calling toll-free 866-457-6456.

December 10, at Ottawa at the Celebration Hall at the Ottawa Fairgrounds from 6:00a.m. to 10:00 a.m. The meeting will be jointly sponsored by WIBW and KGSC. Kelly Lenz will host WIBW’s Ag Issues program live from the meeting from 6 to 6:30 a.m. Breakfast will be served at 6:45. In addition to the KSU, NGSP and KGSPA speakers, the event will feature a panel with Commissioner Jeff Casten of Quenemo, Wes Girard of Lebo, and David Flax of Scranton. The program is free; tickets can be picked up at WIBW sponsor locations or by calling KGSC 866-457-6456.

November 19, 2004

KGSC to Host Sorghum Profit Meetings
The Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission has set the dates and agendas for the first three sorghum profit meetings. The commission plans to hold similar meetings throughout the state. Here is the information on the first three:

December 7, 2004, 10 a.m. at Marysville, Kansas American Legion (310 North 19th Street- 2 blocks North of Highway 36). A chili and soup lunch will be served. Stu Duncan, KSU Area Extension Specialist will talk about sorghum fertility, yield potential, and hybrids. Dave Regehr will talk on crop rotations and herbicides for sorghum. Barney Gordon will talk on water requirements and comparisons between sorghum and other spring crops. NGSP will give a presentation on the new Group Risk Insurance Program, available in 2005. KGSPA will give a presentation on new and changing marketing opportunities for grain sorghum. Commissioner Leo Bindel will head the producer panel. We will finish at 2:00 pm and hope to keep things moving quickly and allow for plenty of questions and discussion. Meal reservations are encouraged and can be made by calling toll-free 866-457-6456.

December 9, 2004, 10 a.m. at Fredonia at the KSU Extension Office in the courthouse basement. Gary Kilgore, Area KSU Extension Specialist will speak on the sorghum plant, fertility, yield potential, and hybrid selections. Dave Regehr, KSU Extension Weed Scientist, will speak on crop rotations and herbicides for sorghum. NGSP will give a presentation on the new Group Risk Insurance Program, available in 2005. KGSPA will give a presentation on new and changing marketing opportunities for grain sorghum. There will be a free lunch and finish by 2:00 pm. The producer panel will feature commissioner Kathy Claiborne of Fredonia, and two other producers explaining their farming rotations. Meal reservations are encouraged and can be made by calling toll-free 866-457-6456.

December 10, 2004 at Ottawa at the Celebration Hall at the Ottawa Fairgrounds 6:00a.m. to 10:00 a.m. The meeting will be jointly sponsored by WIBW and KS Grain Sorghum Commission. Kelly Lenz will host WIBW’s Ag Issues program live from the meeting from 6 to 6:30 a.m. Breakfast will be served at 6:45. The program will begin after breakfast. A producer panel will discuss their use of sorghum. Panelists are: Commissioner Jeff Casten of Quenemo, Wes Girard of Lebo, and David Flax of Scranton. The program is free; tickets can be picked up at WIBW sponsor locations or by calling KGSC 866-457-6456.

Commodity Classic Just Around the Corner!
We’re looking forward to seeing you all at the Kansas Commodity Classic, Tuesday, Nov. 30 at the Garden City Plaza Inn. In addition to the Commodity Classic, KGSPA will hold its annual meeting at 7 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 30, and the Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission will meet at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 1 at the extension office. An agenda for Classic and a schedule of commodity group events being held in conjunction with the Classic are enclosed.

Another BSE Case?
We’re keeping on eye on the most recent suspected case of BSE announced on Thursday. Sue Schulte listened in on USDA’s media briefing yesterday on the report of an “inconclusive” rapid test result of a cow. The USDA spokesperson said the animal came from the high risk category that is under the USDA surveillance program. She said as of Thursday, they had tested 113,000 cattle and had two inconclusives earlier this summer. This case represents the third inconclusive result. USDA had announced two inconclusive BSE tests on June 25 and June 29. Both turned out to be negative. Formal testing results for the animal in question should be available in 4 to 7 days. Cattle prices dropped sharply after the announcement Thursday.

Distillers Grains Conference 9th & 10th
Robert White attended The National Distillers Grains Conference in Des Moines, Iowa
The bulk of the discussion centered on logistics and exports of distillers grains.

Pitt State 11th & 15th
Robert White spoke to several technology classes at Pittsburg State University last week. He talked to the classes about ethanol, biotechnology and new uses for grains. He spoke to over 625 students in two days.

Governor Sebelius Vice Chair of Governors Ethanol Coalition
Gov. Kathleen Sebelius has been elected vice-chairwoman of the National Governors' Ethanol Coalition, putting her in line to lead the organization next year, her office announced Thursday. Sebelius will begin her tenure as vice-chairwoman in January. By tradition of the coalition, she will become chairwoman in 2006. The coalition, of which Sebelius has been a member since taking office, has 30 member states and international representatives from Brazil, Canada, Mexico, Sweden and Thailand. The coalition's duties include educating local and national policy makers of ethanol's environmental and economic benefits, she said.

KFAC Annual Meeting
Jessica Caylor attended the Kansas Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom annual meeting in Newton this week.

 

November 5, 2004

Six Kansas Watersheds in 2005 CSP
Six Kansas watersheds were among 202 across the nation invited to participate in the 2005 Conservation Security Program (CSP). Signups will begin this winter. The six watersheds selected in Kansas are listed below. All selected Kansas watersheds have a combined estimate of 7,003 farms covering an estimated 4.3 million acres. Furthermore, the program is available on all working lands, such as pastureland, rangeland, and all types of cropland where agricultural programs have not always been available. NRCS will hold local informational meetings in the selected 2005 watersheds to more fully explain the program.

Middle Arkansas- Lake McKinney: Finney, Greeley, Kearny, Hamilton, Scott, and Wichita
Upper South Fork Solomon: Sheridan, Graham, Rooks, Sherman, and Thomas
Lower Big Blue: Marshall, Nemaha, Pottawatomie, Washington, Clay, and Riley
Delaware: Jackson, Nemaha, Jefferson, Shawnee, Atchison, and Brown
North Fork of the Ninnescah: Kiowa, Pratt, Stafford, Reno, Kingman, and Sedgwick
Upper Walnut River: Butler, Harvey, and Sedgwick
Also, a small portion of the Arikaree Watershed in northwest Kansas is included in the watersheds selected for Colorado.

Kansas Commodity Classic Is Near!
The Kansas Commodity Classic will be Tuesday, Nov. 30 at Garden City's Plaza Inn. On the back of the agenda is a listing of association and commission meetings being held in conjunction with the Classic. The KGSPA Annual Meeting will be held at 7 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 30. KGSC will meet at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, December 1 at the Extension Office at Garden City. See the agenda on line at http://www.ksgrains.com/classic/

EKAE Groundbreaking Was a Huge Success
With heavy equipment working in the background, organizers of East Kansas Agri-Energy broke ground on a 35 million gallon ethanol plant at Garnett. EKAE plans to complete the $46.5 million project and begin production by the end of May 2005. The EKAE plant will create a market for 13 million bushels of grain per year to produce 35 million gallons of ethanol and more than 100,000 tons of dried distillers grains, a high nutrient livestock feed. A public offering for investors concluded in January of this year resulting in a membership of over 575 businesses and individuals. KGSPA Executive Director Jere White told the crowd that Kansas is in a position to double its ethanol production. In addition to the 35 million gallon EKAE plant, groups in Pratt and Phillipsburg are getting close to finalizing plans for plants as well. KGSC Administrator Kevin Lickteig and Kansas Grain Sorghum Commissioner Jay Zimmerman were at the event. Jere White, Sue Schulte and Robert White attended the event on behalf of the association.

Commodity Commission Elections
This round of Commodity Commission elections is for the North-central, Central and South-Central crop reporting districts. Register to vote by filling out the Commodity Voter Registration form that can be obtained from your county extension office, your county conservation district office, the Kansas Department of Agriculture, or any of the five grain commodity commission offices, or by signing a valid candidate petition form. You will receive a ballot by mail by Jan. 15 which will be due by March 1. Voters must register by Dec. 31, 2004. To register as a candidate, you need to fill out the candidate petition available from the Kansas Department of Agriculture or at one of the commodity commission offices. Candidates must complete the required forms, and get signatures from 20 growers, with no more than 5 growers from one county. Candidate registrations must be postmarked by Nov. 30, 2004.

Watershed Management Seminar
Jessica Caylor attended the Watershed Management Seminar sponsored by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. The seminar focued on different Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategies (WRAPS) from different watersheds across the state

Renewable Energy Conference
Robert White participated in the Kansas Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiencies Conference in Topeka last week.

American Royal
Jessica Caylor was at the American Royal giving presentations to school groups this week. According to Jessica, over 11,000 school children visited the exhibits. Lots of other visitors to the Royal also walk through the displays.

Agritourism Conference
Nearly 400 people from throughout the state registered for the "Fields of Green: Building Agritourism So They Will Come" conference to be held in Great Bend, Wednesday and Thursday. Interest in the conference was so high that the Kansas Department of Commerce is looking into the possibility of future presentations. Robert While attended.

Hillsdale Conservation Tour
Jessica Caylor participated in the Hillsdale Conservation Tour last week. Participants looked at different ways to conserve small pieces of land and still make a profit on the land. Examples of timber and nut production in buffers between water bodies and cropland or grassland were featured.

 

October 22, 2004

Disaster Assistance Bill and JOBS Bill Are Now Law
President Bush signed the disaster assistance bill early this week and today he signed the Corporate Tax Bill (JOBS Bill). The disaster bill contains $2.9 billion that growers can claim for losses in either 2003 or 2004. The JOBS Bill contained the VEETC and Small Producer Tax Credit—both important ethanol provisions.

The VEETC extends the current blender’s tax credit for ethanol until 2010 and restructures those tax incentives to eliminate the impact on the Highway Trust Fund. Opponents have long blamed the blender’s tax credit for robbing the highway fund. To illustrate how much this bill will benefit states, the VEETC will add $2.7 billion to the Highway Trust Fund for California.

EKAE Groundbreaking is Friday, October 29
East Kansas Agri-Energy, LLC (EKAE) a Kansas Limited Liability Company, has announced the official Groundbreaking ceremony for a 35 million gallon per year ethanol plant to be built in the Golden Prairie Industrial Park located in Garnett, KS. The event will be held on Friday, October 29, 2004 at 2:00 p.m. at the plant site. HDB Construction of Topeka, KS was awarded the contract for site excavation. Preliminary site work has begun which includes construction layout, plant access roads, soil stabilization, site grading and replacement fill. The construction phase of the project will have a significant economic impact on the region. It is anticipated during the peak construction phase there will be approximately 150-200 workers on site.

ICM, Inc. of Colwich, KS and Fagen, Inc. of Granite Falls, MN will respectively be the plant designer and general contractor. Each of these companies have extensive ethanol background and have recently constructed and engineered ethanol facilities in Russell, KS, Oakley, KS and Trenton, NE. An aggressive construction schedule is planned with June 1, 2005 as the target date for plant start-up. The $46.5 million dollar project will create a demand for more than 13 million bushels of grain annually which will be used to produce 35 million gallons of ethanol, more than 100,000 tons of dried distillers grains and the plant will also produce and capture carbon dioxide.

2004 Kansas Commodity Classic November 30 at Garden City
We’re excited about bringing the Kansas Commodity Classic to Garden City this year. Enclosed is a tentative schedule of events and a listing of commodity group meetings being held in conjunction with the Classic.
NGSP State/National Staff Meeting
Staff from the Kansas, Nebraska and Texas associations and checkoffs met with NGSP staff for a productive meeting last week in Kansas City. This has become an annual event for the state and national staffs and gives us an opportunity to talk about how we can better coordinate our efforts to benefit our grower members.

Ag Stastics Shows Another Increase in Kansas Sorghum
In its October crop production report, Kansas Ag Statistics increased it’s projected harvested acreage for sorghum to 2.9 million acres, up 100,000 acres from the September estimate. That increased the sorghum production estimate for Kansas to 217.5 million bushels—up 67 percent from last year. The state average yield is estimated at 75 bushels per acre.

New Membership Materials Are Enclosed
Our new membership promotion is now underway, offering free seed for new and renewing members and free chemical for new members. Included are forms for your use in recruiting. If you would like more or would like help recruiting new members in your area, please contact Jessica at the KGSPA office.

American Royal Begins
Jessica Baetz will be giving presentations to school groups next week at the American Royal where we display in the Royal’s World of Agriculture. The World of Agriculture is is visited by thousands of school kids and others every year.

Moran Conservation Tour
KGSPA Staffer Jessica Baetz is participating in Rep. Jerry Moran’s 2004 First District Conservation tour which began Thursday and concludes today in south central Kansas. Oklahoma Congressman Frank Lucas, Chairman of the Agriculture Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit, Rural Development, and Research will participate in the tour which will highlight water quality initiatives, wildlife habitat protection, grazing lands management and the preservation of wetlands. During the tour, we will observe how Kansas producers, communities, wildlife organizations and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) have worked together to improve our state's natural resources.
 

October 8, 2004

Corporate Tax Bill Passes House;
Growers Encourage Senate to Do the Same
The US House of Representatives passed the Corporate Tax Bill Thursday evening and KGSPA members are encouraging Senate to do the same today. The Senate is expected to vote on the measure today, Friday. Growers were busy on Thursday putting calls in to Senator Roberts office after hearing that he may not support the bill because of concerns on issues other than the ethanol provisions. As you know, Senator Roberts is a strong supporter of ethanol and agriculture. His staff has told us that he is supportive of the ethanol provisions, but that he was not happy with some of the other tax provisions in the bill. This bill is a very large, complex piece of legislation with everything but the kitchen sink thrown in.

Disaster Assistance Package Passes House
On Wednesday, the US House of Representatives passed a disaster assistance proposal similar to the $3 billion measure in the Senate—the only difference is that the House version has offsets, taking money from the Conservation Security Program to pay for the aid. KGSPA encouraged our Congressmen to support the original amendment that did not use farm bill budget offsets. Regardless, our growers will benefit from the legislation that would allow growers to receive disaster assistance for 2003 or 2004. Senator Pat Roberts said he was supportive of the House action and called on the Senate leadership to move the bill forward.

“I am pleased the House acted to pass disaster assistance in response to the Senate’s action in September,” Senator Roberts said. “It is now up to the leadership to clear the way for aid to our farmers and ranchers who have been hit hard by a multi-year drought. While many have viewed the terrible destruction wrought across Florida and the southeastern U.S. by successive hurricanes in recent weeks, we cannot forget the terrible drought that has continued to grip much of the western portion of Kansas.”

Hays E85 Station to Have Grand Opening Celebration Friday, Oct. 8
We’re at the grand opening celebration of the Hays Power Plus station today. The station will sell E85 fuel for flexible fuel vehicles for 85 cents per gallon and will price E10 Unleaded the same as regular unleaded. The station, formerly affiliated with Texaco, offers both E85 for flexible fuel vehicles, and E10 Unleaded, 10 percent ethanol fuel for use in all vehicles. The station is owned by Kyle Bauer and Roy Jennings, and is located at 3505 Vine St. at Hays. With convenient access from I-70, this new E85 fueling site extends the availability of E85 along the I-70 corridor. E85 is now available at Hays, Topeka, Maize and Garnett. Other Kansas stations may offer this alternative fuel soon.

State/National Staff Meeting
Much of the KGSPA staff will be in Kansas City Tuesday and Wednesday for a meeting between the staffs of NGSP and the state grain sorghum producers associations. We’ll discuss a variety issues including ethanol, trade, legislative issues, food grade sorghum, water issues and membership. This gives us a good opportunity to bring together the staffs of the state and national organizations to discuss how we can better represent our grower members.

New Membership Materials Are Enclosed
Our new membership promotion is now underway, offering free seed for new and renewing members and free chemical for new members.  If you would like more or would like help recruiting new members in your area, please contact Jessica at the KGSPA office.

Crude Reaches All-Time Highs—Ethanol Makes a Positive Impact
If you’ve filled up lately, you know that oil prices are skyrocketing. The increasing oil prices and uncertainty in the foreign oil markets underline the need for fuels like ethanol that are produced domestically and are renewable. The Renewable Fuels Association release a study earlier this summer that outlined the contribution ethanol is making in keeping our fuel prices from even higher increases.

The analysis, “Ethanol and Gasoline Prices,” by economist John Urbanchuk found that ethanol use adds critical supply to the U.S. gasoline market. Without ethanol, gasoline demand would further out pace domestic supply and result in a major price spike. Specifically, the report found:

• Without ethanol, gasoline prices would increase 14.6 percent, or 30.2 cents per gallon, in the short term

• Without ethanol, gasoline prices would increase 3.7 percent, or 7.6 cents per gallon, in the long term once refiners build new capacity or secure alternative sources of supply.

• Ethanol use will bolster U.S. gasoline supplies by more than 3.3 billion gallons in 2004.

• More than 30% of all U.S. gasoline is blended with ethanol.

• Without ethanol, refiners would be forced to import about 217,000 barrels per day of high-octane, clean-burning gasoline blending components.

SORGHUM LEADER UPDATE

September 24, 2004

Governor Honors Ethanol & Agriland at State Fair
Governor Kathleen Sebelius honored the ethanol industry by the signing the BioFuel Awareness Day Proclamation during Governor’s Day at the Kansas State Fair last week. Jere White, Robert White and Jessica Caylor were at the event. The Governor also celebrated the 10th Anniversary of Agriland on Wednesday.

Most of the ethanol produced in Kansas is made from grain sorghum. Six plants, located in Atchison, Campus, Colwich, Garden City, Leoti and Russell produce more than 130 million gallons of ethanol per year. Those plants create a market for more than 48 million bushels of sorghum and corn. Nationally, ethanol production continues on a record breaking pace. The U.S. ethanol industry set an all-time monthly production record in June of 222,000 barrels per day, according to data released by the U.S. Energy Information Administration. June represented the ninth consecutive all-time monthly production record. Production was up nearly 23 percent compared to last June.

The State of Kansas supports the use of ethanol and biodiesel by requiring state vehicles and equipment to use these fuels when they are available as long as they are priced no more than ten cents per gallon higher than regular fuel.

State Fair Sorghum Contest
Norm Oeding of Kingman won Best of Show at the Kansas State Fair’s Grain Sorghum competition. Oeding received a plaque from KGSPA, a KGSPA membership and a certificate for free E10 Unleaded fuel. He was recognized at Governor’s Day at the State Fair last Wednesday

Ag Statistics Says Sorghum Maturity Is Behind
In its weekly crop progress report released Monday, Kansas Ag Statistics showed sorghum maturity far behind normal with 15 percent at maturity, compared to a five year average of 50 percent.

http://www.nass.usda.gov/ks/weather.htm

Hays E85 Station to Have Grand Openening Celebration Friday, Oct. 8
We’ll be participating in the grand opening celebration of the Hays Power Plus station on Friday October 8. The station will sell E85 fuel for flexible fuel vehicles for 85 cents per gallon and will price E10 Unleaded the same as regular unleaded.

The station, formerly affiliated with Texaco, offers both E85 for flexible fuel vehicles, and E10 Unleaded, 10 percent ethanol fuel for use in all vehicles. The station is owned by Kyle Bauer and Roy Jennings, and is located at 3505 Vine St. at Hays. With convenient access from I-70, this new E85 fueling site extends the availability of E85 along the I-70 corridor.

Senate Disaster Assistance Package Faces Some Resistance
The Senate Disaster Assistance package recently approved by the Senate and included in the Homeland Security bill would help Kansas producers recoup losses incurred in 2003. NGSP was one of several ag groups that signed a letter in support of the bill. If passed, growers could receive disaster assistance for crop losses in 2004 or 2003. The disaster assistance package was co-sponsored by Senator Pat Roberts and Senator Sam Brownback.

The bill is now in a House-Senate conference committee. Congressman Jerry Moran is working to bolster House support to include the Senate’s disaster assistance in the final version of the bill. However, some House conservatives oppose the Senate amendment that adds the disaster assistance provisions to the Homeland Security bill.

NGSP and KGSPA to Offer Meetings on Sorghum Silage Crop Insurance
Thanks to a grant, the National Sorghum Producers and KGSPA are planning educational meetings to inform growers about the new Sorghum Silage Crop Insurance pilot program.

Grain sorghum varieties grown for harvest as silage will be eligible for coverage under the new pilot program beginning in the 2005 crop year and continuing through 2008 for two counties in Colorado and 37 counties in Kansas, the country's largest producer of this feed product. Non- silage varieties will not be covered under this pilot program. Under the current Coarse Grains Crop Provisions, grain sorghum grown for silage is not insurable, while corn grown for silage is insurable. The board set a buy-up limit of 75 percent for this pilot program. The price election is set at 80 percent of the corn silage price, obtained using RMA's newly revised pricing methodology. Provisions will be made for irrigated and non-irrigated crops.

RMA worked extensively with the National Sorghum Producers Association and Kansas Farm Management Association, a farm management organization at Kansas State University. RMA will finalize the policy terms and conditions and anticipates release for the 2005 crop.

September 10, 2004

September Production Estimates Boost Sorghum
The Kansas Ag Statistics Service September production estimates were released this morning. Kansas sorghum production is estimated at 210 million bushels, up from 201.6 million bushels estimated in August. Yield estimates increased from 72 bushels per acre to 75 bushels per acre.

Kansas State Fair Begins!
It’s hard to believe that Agriland is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year—that makes some of us feel very old! Governor Kathleen Sebelius will be on hand Wednesday, Sept. 15 to celebrate Agriland’s 10th birthday.

Great Plains Sorghum Symposium September 14-15
We hope to see you at the Great Plains Sorghum Symposium next week in Manhattan. The goal of this symposium is to bring together all individuals interested in grain sorghum production to showcase challenges and opportunities in sorghum improvement, production and marketing. This includes producers, private industry, and public research and extension personnel. The focus of the 2004 meeting will be sorghum utilization with local, regional and international speakers. The event organizers are hopeful to get several growers at the event to let them know what is going on in grain sorghum research and to get growers’ feedback. Activities on the afternoon of Tuesday, Sept. 14 will be held at KSU’s Ashland Bottoms Research Farm near Manhattan. Topics covered will be cropping systems, weed control, corn-sorghum comparisons, sorghum response to environmental stress, cold tolerance and drought tolerance. The afternoon’s events will wrap up with a social hour and barbecue at the farm. Wednesday morning’s events will be held at the K-State Student Union and will wrap up by noon. Topics covered include tannins, food uses, insect research, food grade sorghum, feed value, and commercial uses. Registration is $45 at the door.

Grain Sorghum Commission Meeting to Follow Sorghum Symposium
The Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission will meet at 12:30 p.m. on September 15 at the IGP Board Room, 1980 Kimball Avenue, Manhattan KS, following the Great Plains Sorghum Symposium.

KGSPA Draft Minutes Enclosed
Enclosed is a draft of the minutes of the August KGSPA board meeting.

Sorghum Slow to Mature
According to Kansas Ag Statistics, 34 percent of the state’s sorghum has colored, compared to 54 percent last year and a five-year average of 70 percent. Two percent of sorghum has been harvested for grain, compared to 5 percent last year and 9 percent for the 5-year average. Sorghum condition is rated 2 percent very poor, 9 percent poor, 23 percent fair, 49 percent good, and 17 percent excellent.

It’s Not Too Late to Enter NGSP Yield Contest!
Regular entries must be postmarked at least 30 days prior to harvest of contest acreage. There is a $35 entry fee for regular entries. Express Entries must be sent by overnight delivery at least 10 days before harvest of the contest acreage. The Express Entry fee is $70. Entry divisions are:
• Conventional-till Irrigated
• Conventional-till Non-irrigated
• Reduced-till Irrigated
• No-till Non-irrigated
• Mulch-till Non-irrigated

Forms are available on NGSP’s website at www.sorghumgrowers.com, or call the KGSPA office at 800-489-2676—we’d be happy to send you a form.

Interest in E85 Continues to Grow in Kansas
Interest in E85 fuel continues to grow across the state. Here is an update.

KSU is averaging well over 3,000 gallons a month of E85 fuel. They have added an additional 10 vehicles since the E85 tank was installed.

Westar Energy in Topeka now has over 80 FFVs and is now operating on E85 provided by Capital City Oil.

E85 at Power Plus in Hays is 20 cents under regular gasoline, with E10 being priced the same as regular.

Another Monthly Ethanol Production Record
The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) announced this week that the U.S. ethanol industry set an all-time monthly production record in June of 222,000 barrels per day (b/d), according to data released by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). June was the ninth consecutive all-time monthly production record. Production was up nearly 23 percent compared to last June when 181,000 b/d of ethanol were produced.

August 27, 2004

Welcome Our New Employee
Some of you met our new administrative assistant at the KGSPA meeting Thursday. The friendly new voice you’ll hear on the phone when you call the office is that of Keri Rusk, who joined our staff recently. Welcome, Keri!

KGSPA Meets
The KGSPA Board met in McPherson on Thursday. Crop insurance agent Rob Heyen gave a presentation on potential options for GRP and GRIP for growers. NGSP executive Tim Lust updated board member son the activities of the National Sorghum Producers.

Great Plains Sorghum Symposium September 14-15
The Great Plains Sorghum Symposium will be held in Manhattan, KS September 14 & 15, 2004. The goal of this symposium is to bring together all individuals interested in grain sorghum production to showcase challenges and opportunities in sorghum improvement, production and marketing. This includes producers, private industry, and public research and extension personnel. The focus of the 2004 meeting will be sorghum utilization with local, regional and international speakers.

The event organizers are hopeful to get several growers at the event to let them know what is going on in grain sorghum research and to get growers’ feedback. Activities on the afternoon of Tuesday, Sept. 14 will be held at KSU’s Ashland Bottoms Research Farm near Manhattan. Topics covered will be cropping systems, weed control, corn-sorghum comparisons, sorghum response to environmental stress, cold tolerance and drought tolerance. The afternoon’s events will wrap up with a social hour and barbecue at the farm. Wednesday morning’s events will be held at the K-State Student Union and will wrap up by noon. Topics covered include tannins, food uses, insect research, food grade sorghum, feed value, and commercial uses. Registration is $40 in advance—by September 3; or $45 at the door.

A symposium brochure is enclosed.

Grain Sorghum Commission Meeting to Follow Sorghum Symposium
The Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission will meet at 12:30 p.m. on September 15 at the IGP Board Room, 1980 Kimball Avenue, Manhattan KS, following the Great Plains Sorghum Symposium.

Agriland and the Kansas State Fair
Enclosed is an Agriland Volunteer Form. As you know, every year growers help out with Agriland, the large interactive exhibit at the state fair. This year, we’re celebrating the 10th anniversary of Agriland! Also, the Pride of Kansas building has been renovated and is now CLIMATE CONTROLLED. Our workdays at the Kansas State Fair are Friday, September 10 and Sunday, September 19. We have a block of rooms at the Comfort Inn. Jessica must have hotel requests by August 30! The hotel cancellation policy is not as flexible as it has been in the past.

Free Seed or Chemical Promotion Ends August 30
That’s right, this year’s membership promotion ends this Monday, August 30. Jessica is working on the next promotion, which will probably begin early October.

Kansas Water Congress
Jessica Caylor attended the Kansas Water Congress Summer Conference recently at Garden City. Much of the discussion at the meeting surrounded the proposed irrigation transition program.

BACs Have Openings
The Kansas-Lower Republican Basin Advisory Committee has an opening for a member in the industrial category. The Missouri Basin BAC also has an opening for a member. It is important to have agricultural interests represented on these committees. If you are interested in applying for one of these positions, contact Jessica Caylor at the KGSPA office for more information at 800-489-2676.

Ethanol Use Continues to Increase Rapidly in the US
The use of renewable energy increased 3 percent in 2003, with ethanol usage constituting a significant portion of that increase, according to the U.S. Department of Energy’s recently released “Renewable Energy Trends 2003” report.

According to the report, ethanol use in the transportation sector increased 41 percent. The increase in ethanol usage was attributed to its primary use as an oxygenate additive in reformulated gasoline and its replacement of MTBE, which until recently was the primary oxygenate additive. MTBE has been shown to contaminate groundwater, and the report noted MTBE consumption has declined from 313 trillion Btu in 2001 to 225 trillion Btu in 2003.

Risk and Profit Seminar
KGSPA Staffer Robert White exhibited information about Kansas grain sorghum at the Risk and Profit Seminar at KSU last week. KSU faculty provided presentations to about 200 producers, agribusiness and financial lenders. Topics ranged from crop insurance to WTO to animal identification.
 

August 13, 2004

KGSPA Board Meeting
The summer meeting for the KGSPA Board of Directors is scheduled for August 26 at the McPherson Red Coach Inn/Perkins Restaurant. The meeting will begin at 10 a.m. and should be finished by 3 p.m. If you need a room the night before the meeting, please call Sue Hardman at the KGSPA office at 800-489-2676.

Sorghum Production Forecast to Increase Up 54 Percent over 2003
According to Kansas Ag Statistics, Kansas sorghum grain production is forecast at 201.6 million bushels, up 54 percent from the 130.5 million bushels harvested in 2003. Yields are expected to average 72 bushels per acre, up 27 bushels from last year's yield. Planted acreage is 3.1 million acres, down 450,000 acres from 2003, but sorghum acreage to be harvested for grain, at 2.8 million acres, is down only 100,000 acres from 2003.

State Fair Is Coming Up!
Our workdays at the Kansas State Fair are Friday, September 10 and Sunday, September 19.
Rooms are at the Comfort Inn. Jessica must have hotel requests by August 30! The hotel cancellation policy is not as flexible as it has been in the past. If you’re interested in helping at the fair and need a hotel room call Jessica at the KGSPA office 800-489-2676.

E85 and E10 Unleaded Available at Hays Station
E85 (85% ethanol fuel) is now available at the Hays Power Plus station. The station offers both E85 for flexible fuel vehicles, and E10 Unleaded, 10 percent ethanol fuel for use in all vehicles. The station, owned by Kyle Bauer and Roy Jennings, is located at 3505 Vine St., Hays. With convenient access from I-70, this new E85 fueling site extends the availability of E85 along the I-70 corridor.

White Meets with World Food Program Officials at South Africa Conference
While in South Africa with the US Grains Council and the National Corn Growers Association for a biotechnology conference, Jere White had extensive discussions about sorghum with officials from the World Food Program. While typical sorghum use in southern Africa tends to center more around beer production than food use, the World Food Program is very interested in suing more sorghum in their program.

Japanese Supermarket Execs Visit Kansas
The executives of the Japanese supermarket chain Daiei met with Governor Kathleen Sebelius, ag groups and the Department of Commerce during a visit to Kansas last week sponsored by the US Meat Export Federation. Kevin Lickteig and Sue Schulte attended a lunch for the group hosted by the Kansas Livestock Association and Kansas Beef Council. The group is looking forward to the reopening of US beef exports to Japan. That market has been closed since the single incident of BSE that occurred in the U.S. in late December 2003. Japan was the second largest export buyer of US beef, and Daiei was the largest single Japanese importer of US beef. Daiei has 266 stores in Japan and marketed its beef as Kansas Beef. Much of the beef now imported by Japan is coming from Australia. Company representatives were in Kansas to formulate a plan to reintroduce the Kansas Beef brand to Japan when the market is reopened.

NGSP Summer Board Meeting
Several KGSPA and KGSC members attended the NGSP Summer Board meeting in Lubbock this week. Attending were: Jeff Filinger, Greg Shelor, Leo Bindel, Jay Zimmerman and Jeff Casten. Staff attending were: Kevin Lickteig, Sue Hardman and Robert White.

KSU Field Days Offer Valuable Information to Growers
Upcoming KSU field days and conferences:
Aug. 17 - SW Research-Ext. Center Limited Irrigation Field Day - Tribune - 620-376-4761
Aug. 18 - East Central Kansas Experiment Field Fall Field Day - Ottawa - 785-242-5616
Aug. 19-20 - Risk and Profit Conference - Manhattan - 785-532-1504

Trade Team from Colombia and Venezuela
Sue Schulte and KSU Agronomist Dale Fjell hosted a group of grain buyers from Colombia and Venezuela in late July. The group was in Manhattan participating in short courses at the International Grains Program (IGP). Sue and Dale took the group on a tour the Manhattan Coop grain facility and the KSU campus. Members of the group involved in poultry operations were interested in grain sorghum and sorghum-based DDGS. They also asked about tannin content in US sorghum. We explained that US sorghum is tannin-free. They told us that trade restrictions in their countries prevented them from buying large quantities of sorghum, mainly to protect their domestic sorghum production.

Upper Arkansas BAC meeting / Circle K Ranch
The Upper Arkansas Basin Advisory Committee recommended to the Kansas Water Authority that the state acquire the Circle K Ranch after much discussion and several votes on different motions as to the details of the recommendation. Jessica Baetz Caylor attended the meeting in Jetmore recently. The final recommendation was that the state acquire the property and convert all of it to native grasses for wildlife habit and other outdoor uses. They also added that they wanted GMD#5 to be the recommending body for dismissing the water rights on that property. They also requested a guarantee from the state there would be funding for full development of the wildlife area.

KLR BAC has Opening
The Kansas-Lower Republican Basin Advisory Committee has an opening for a member in the industrial category. If you are interested in applying to serve on this BAC, contact Jessica Baetz Caylor at the KGSPA office for more information.

May 21, 2004

Sorghum Silage Crop Insurance to be Offered in 37 Kansas Counties
KGSPA staff is participating in a conference call Monday to learn more about the 2005 sorghum silage crop insurance program approved recently by FCIC. 37 Kansas counties and two Colorado counties will be eligible to participate in a silage sorghum crop insurance pilot program in 2005. The Federal Crop Insurance Corporation board recently voted to approve the silage sorghum crop insurance program. NGSP and KGSPA have sought crop insurance coverage for sorghum silage for several years. KGSPA board member Leo Bindel, Sabetha, reiterated the need for sorghum silage coverage in testimony he gave to the US House Committee on Agriculture last fall. While crop insurance is available for corn silage, it has not been offered for sorghum silage.

"At a time of multi-year droughts when producers need water-saving options, government crop insurance policy is dictating that farmers grow corn silage with insurance in order to get financing by their bankers," Bindel told the committee in September.

From RMA: Silage Sorghum Pilot Program -- Grain sorghum varieties grown for harvest as silage will be eligible for coverage under the new pilot program beginning in the 2005 crop year and continuing through 2008 for two counties in Colorado and 37 counties in Kansas, the country's largest producer of this feed product. Non- silage varieties will not be covered under this pilot program. Under the current Coarse Grains Crop Provisions, grain sorghum grown for silage is not insurable, while corn grown for silage is insurable. The board set a buy-up limit of 75 percent for this pilot program. The price election is set at 80 percent of the corn silage price, obtained using RMA's newly revised pricing methodology. Provisions will be made for irrigated and non-irrigated crops.

Two Kansas Watersheds Named in CSP Program
The Lower Little Blue in north central Kansas and the Lower Salt Fork Arkansas in south central Kansas have been selected as two of the nation's 18 priority watersheds that will be included in the fiscal year 2004 Conservation Security Program (CSP) sign-up to be held this summer, USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced today. The Lower Little Blue is located in Republic, Washington, and Marshall counties and the Lower Salt Fork Arkansas in Barber and Harper counties. These watersheds also include parts of Nebraska and Oklahoma, respectively. In order to implement CSP this fiscal year, the NRCS will immediately begin to train employees within the priority watersheds on the basics of the program; detailed training will occur once the interim final rule is published in early summer. A sign-up announcement will be published along with the interim final rule that will detail the specific program requirements within the priority watersheds. Nationally, the fiscal year 2004 CSP budget of $41.4 million will allow NRCS to write 3,000 to 5,000 contracts. The contracts will be determined in a national selection process that will be described in the sign-up notice.

Kansas Hosts Ethanol Official from India
Dr. Mohan Dongare from India, who is interested in expanding sorghum-based ethanol production in India, visited Kansas last week. India's ethanol production is currently mostly molasses-based. KGSPA's Jere White and Robert White took Dr. Dongare to the US Energy Partners plant at Russell where they met with the general manager, the plant manager and a representative from ICM. They toured the plant and discussed ethanol production practices in India and Kansas. When molasses is used to produce ethanol, no distillers grains are produced, so the Indian plants could see added value if they would produce ethanol from grain sorghum. He told us the biggest problem the plants faced was dealing with the wastewater. There are more than 200 ethanol plants in India, but a 3 million gallon plant is considered large.

Kansas Ethanol Web Site
The Kansas web site, www.ksgrains.com, now features a Kansas Ethanol Information site. The ksgrains.com site hosts the Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission and Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association web sites. The individual web sites offered ethanol information, but the central ethanol site allows us to offer more current and cohesive ethanol information. The Kansas Ethanol Information site offers information on E10 and E85 fuels; Kansas and US Production figures; DDGS, and helpful ethanol industry links. Check it out at http:www.ksgrains.com

BAC Vacancies
There are vacancies on the Kansas Lower Republican, Lower Arkansas and Upper Arkansas Basin Advisory Committees. The BAC application is available from our office. If you would like an application, contact Jessica at the KGSPA office. Or if you're reading this on-line, follow this link: http://www.kwo.org/Org_People/basin%20advisory%20committees.htm

Education Update
Day at the Farm--Jessica Baetz Caylor recently gave presentations at the Anderson County Day on the Farm. 110 third grade students participated. The students and 12 teachers received materials and listened to presentations.

Agriland--We are planning for Agriland at the Kansas State Fair. If anyone has any suggestions about how we could improve please let us know!

Ethanol Promotion at Garnett
The grand opening of the Garnett Petro Plus and its E85 and E10 fueling facility was a great success. We filled a steady stream of vehicles with both E85 and E10 Unleaded fuel last Friday. Participating in the event were: Kansas Secretary of Agriculture Adrian Polansky; Senator Derek Schmidt; KC Clean Cities Coordinator Benjamin Watson; National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition executive director Phil Lampert, and David Weber, Abengoa Bioenergy ethanol sales director. Abengoa supplies ethanol to the station. WIBW Radio's Raubin and Megan Show broadcast live from the event. Since the event and subsequent radio coverage, our office has received a substantial increase in phone calls from people wanting to know more about ethanol fuels.

May 7, 2004

Multi-Year Crop Loss Conference Today
RMA is holding a pre-proposal conference today in Kansas City, seeking to address crop insurance problems associated with multi-year crop losses. Sue Schulte is attending the meeting. Congressman Jerry Moran, Chairman of the Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management is speaking at the event. Also speaking is Ross Davidson, manager of FCIC.

E85 Station Grand Opening at Garnett May 14
The grand opening celebration for the Garnett Petro Plus E85 fuel pump will be 1 to 6 p.m. Friday, May 14 at the station located on Highway 59 in Garnett. In addition to offering E85, the station also offers E10 Unleaded fuel for its customers. E85 for flexible fuel vehicles will be on sale for 85 cents per gallon. E10 Unleaded, approved by all foreign and domestic automakers will be sold at a 10 cent per gallon discount. The station reports brisk sales for both fuel blends. WIBW Radio will host a live remote broadcast from the event which will feature giveaways, fuel and food specials, ethanol information and speakers.

IGP Conference Center Dedication Held Saturday
Kansas State University dedicated its new International Grains Program (IGP) Conference Center on Saturday, May 1. IGP, established by the Kansas legislature in 1978, has trained thousands of international grain industry representatives in its 26- year existence. International business and government leaders attend IGP short courses and programs to develop technical knowledge and skills that enable them to become more informed buyers and processors of U.S. food and feed grains. IGP courses also acquaint participants with current trends and issues affecting the industry. The IGP building, which is part of K-State's Department of Grain Science and Industry, is nearly 20,000 square feet and includes a grain-grading laboratory, a conference room, a tiered auditorium-style classroom, dining and lounge areas, staff offices, and other rooms designed to serve the needs of the IGP's international participants.

Ethanol Promotions
We've participated in E10 station promotions recently in Minneapolis, Inman and Russell.

EKAE Ethanol Plant Hopes to Break Ground Soon
According to an article in this week's Anderson County Review, construction on the East Kansas Agri-Energy ethanol plant at Garnett may not begin until summer due to delays in loan closing details. From the article: "It now appears East Kansas Agri Energy will not meet an early May ground breaking date due to the lengthy continuation of finalizing the company's loan documents on its $20 million construction loan. EKAE treasurer Jill Zimmmerman said last week the company was continuing to labor through the due diligence phase of the loan closing process, but that some site planning work and surveying had begun on the plant's location in the Golden Prairie Industrial Park."

Pratt Ethanol Group Continues to Move Forward
Excerpts from the Pratt Tribune-
A Kansas Department of Transportation grant and a special bond election are the latest steps towards a proposed ethanol plant in Pratt County. The $1 million grant would be used to pave NE 30th Street between U.S. 281 and K-61 (two and a half miles) which runs along the north side of the plant site. The remainder of the $2.5 million paving project would be covered by bonds issued by the county contingent on the construction of the ethanol plant.

The Southwest Ethanol group is confident they will raise the money necessary to build the facility, according to Gordon Stull, who is acting as attorney for the group. Gathering funding is taking longer than first anticipated because the plant size has increased from the original 30 million gallons a year to 50 million gallons a year. The increase was made after reanalyzing the capabilities of the plant and available grain. The greater capacity moved the estimated total cost to $77 million, up $20 million from the original cost estimate. The cost for the plant will be split with one third covered by equity in the facility and two thirds covered by long term debt, Stull said. The plant will have 1.5 million bushel in permanent storage and 2.5 million bushel in ground storage. The larger facility will increase the number of bushels used from 12 million up to 18 million a year. During harvest, the plant will use about 50,000 bushel a day. The increase in grain capacity will enable the plant to purchase more grain from area farmers.

Exactly when plant funding will be finished is uncertain but Stull says they are "pretty close to getting done."All the plans and designs are done, the air construction permit is complete and things are progressing. I'm not going to speculate on it (getting all the funding). We have made steady progress. We want to get to the end and get to build the plant," Stull said. "We continue to be optimistic. That's why were working hard on it every day. We appreciate all the local support. The overall support is fantastic."


Upcoming BAC Meetings
Below is a list of upcoming BAC meetings. We encourage growers to attend and participate in these meetings when they are in your basin. You can find the meeting calendar online at www.kwo.org This is a good website to visit with up-to-date information on Kansas water issues, as well as drought issues.

May 2004
17th - Marais Des Cygnes BAC, Ft. Scott Community College, 10:00 am, Ft. Scott
19th - Kansas-Lower Republican BAC, Concordia Courthouse, 10:30 am, Concordia
21st - Missouri BAC, American Legion Hall, 10:00 am, White Cloud

 

Thursday, April 8, 2004

Comment Period for ESA Counterpart Regulation Extended to April 16!
First we would like the thank those of you who have already submitted comments supporting the Endangered Species Act Counterpart Regulation. The deadline has been extended to April 16, at the request of activists who are rounding up opposition to this regulation, claiming it would weaken the Endangered Species Act. We know this is a busy time of year, but it is important that growers match the environmental activists letter for letter to move this important regulation forward and protect our access to pesticides. Once you're on-line at www.ksgrains.com, it only takes a couple of minutes to submit a letter of support for this important regulation.

Since 2000, environmental activist organizations have filed 10 lawsuits alleging the Environmental Protection Agency failed to protect endangered species when it registered pesticides. The lawsuits do not accuse EPA of actually harming endangered species, but allege that EPA's pesticide registration process is not sufficient to protect them. These include a lawsuit against EPA on its registration process for atrazine. The purpose of these suits is to shut down the registration process and to limit access to pesticide products. The proposed "counterpart regulation" will streamline and clarify how EPA's pesticide review process will comply with the Endangered Species Act. Most importantly, The counterpart regulations create a program that actually enhances the protection of endangered species while maintaining access to products that are vital to agriculture and others that rely on pesticides. TAKE ACTION! We are working with the corn growers and many other grower and agriculture groups to support this important regulation. We are using KCGA's Legislative Action Center internet tool to make it easy for you to submit comments. It's easy, just follow the link on KGSPA page at www.ksgrains.com which will take you to the legislative action center. You don't have to be a computer geek to use the legislative action center. You can use the letter we've provided, just adding your name and address, or you can use the talking points on the web site to personalize your letter. If you're reading this in e-mail form, this link takes you directly to the Legislative Action Center: http://capwiz.com/ncga/ks/state/main/?state=KS

WPE Open House
Robert White participated in the Western Plains Energy LLC Open House on Saturday, March 27. The 30 million gallon plant is in full operation and is producing above capacity. Check the KGSPA web site to see a photo of the plant taken during the Open House. Find our web site at www.ksgrains.com

Ag Day / Earth Day Educational Activities
Many schools have Ag Day and Earth Day activities in the spring, keeping our education department busy. Jessica Baetz Caylor is also giving presentations at educational events throughout the spring. We send Milo Mania Teacher's packets as well as materials for students to increase their understanding of grain sorghum and agriculture in general. Materials sent to different ag / earth days:
Teacher Packets - 187
Student Materials - 4787
 

Kansas Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom
KFAC will be presenting their assembly programs in several locations this spring. The assembly program teaches school children about Kansas agriculture and how agriculture affects their lives everyday. KFAC encourages any interested individuals to attend a program near you, if you have questions call Barbara Oplinger at the KFAC office at 785-532-7946.

April 5 - Colby
April 6 - Sharon Springs
April 6 - St. Francis
April 7 - Goodland
May 4 - Marysville
May 4 - Washington
May 7 - Emporia

Waiver Talk
The oil market's reaction to Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham's simple statement last week that the EPA was considering granting a waiver of gasoline oxygenate requirements to three states would make it appear at first glance that it is the oxygenates that have been driving prices at the pump higher.

But the ethanol industry said prior to the stunning announcement by Abraham that ethanol played virtually no role in the ongoing price spike, even though it accounts for 70 percent of the oxygenates used to produce cleaner-burning reformulated gasoline in the United States.

---Replacing MTBE with ethanol reduced average RFG prices by 8 cents per gallon in California in 2003;

---Replacing MTBE with ethanol in New York RFG has reduced average RFG prices 3.8% since October 2003;

---Since switching to ethanol in New York, the historical price spread between conventional gasoline and RFG has disappeared;

---Ethanol is the lowest-cost oxygenate in the Northeast.

Common Sense from a Refiner!
When asked about the need for a waiver to lower gas prices, surprisingly, the nation's largest independent refiner, Valero Energy Corp. (NYSE:VLO - news), added a dissenting voice on Friday, arguing that waivers would have little impact on prices.

"Valero continues to believe that reducing the cost of crude is the only way to meaningfully reduce pump prices," the company said in a statement.

Crude makes up about 40 percent of the price of gasoline. U.S. crude oil prices are holding above $33 a barrel after the NYMEX benchmark contract rose to a 13-year settlement high of $38.18 on March 17.

Valero said that the preferred oxygenate on the West Coast, ethanol, is cheaper than gasoline and therefore reduces the overall cost of the motor fuel, making a waiver of the oxygenate rule unnecessary. The company added that, on the East Coast, ethanol is more expensive than gasoline but adds volume to the supply pool. "Overall gasoline supplies would be reduced if ethanol is removed from the gasoline," the company said.
 

Friday, March 26, 2004

THIS IS IMPORTANT!
Voice Your Support for Endangered Species Act Counterpart Regulation
Leaders: If you haven't sent your letter of support for this important regulation, please do so immediately. We have had some of our leaders already sent their letters of support. For those of you who have e-mailed letters, thank you!

Since 2000, environmental activist organizations have filed 10 lawsuits alleging the Environmental Protection Agency failed to protect endangered species when it registered pesticides. The lawsuits do not accuse EPA of actually harming endangered species, but allege that EPA's pesticide registration process is not sufficient to protect them. These include a lawsuit against EPA on its registration process for atrazine. The purpose of these suits is to shut down the registration process and to limit access to pesticide products. In January, the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service with the help of EPA and the US Dept. of Agriculture, issued proposed regulations to establish a new procedure incorporating pesticide registration reviews and endangered species consultations, called a "counterpart regulation". The proposed counterpart regulation will streamline and clarify how EPA's pesticide review process will comply with ESA. Most importantly, The counterpart regulations create a program that actually enhances the protection of endangered species while maintaining access to products that are vital to agriculture and others that rely on pesticides, including lawn care, consumers, forestry and public health.
TAKE ACTION! You can submit comments supporting the ESA Counterpart Regulations by visiting the KGSPA web site at www.ksgrains.com. Follow the link on KGSPA page to a legislative action center which is hosted by the corn growers association. We are encouraging members to submit comments. You don't have to be a computer geek to use the legislative action center. You can use the letter we've provided, just adding your name and address, or you can use the talking points on the web site to personalize your letter. If you're reading this in e-mail form, this link takes you directly to the Legislative Action Center: http://capwiz.com/ncga/ks/state/main/?state=KS


WPE Open House is Saturday, March 27
The Western Plains Energy Open House will be Saturday, March 27 beginning at 8 a.m. at the Oakley Fairgrounds. The last bus tour of WPE will leave the fairgrounds at 4 p.m. Contact WPE for more information at: 785-672-8810

New E10 Unleaded Stations
Five new E10 Unleaded Stations have come on-line since the first of the year:

Harper County: Anthony Farmers Coop, 506 W. Main, Anthony
Jewell County: Mac's Kwik Shop, 102 W. South St., Mankato
Randall Farmers Coop Union, 202 2nd Street, Randall
Reno County: Farmers Coop, 1200 W. 4th, Hutchinson
Lincoln County: Seulter Service Station, 100 W. Westfall St., Westfall

Topeka Travel Plaza Closes-Kansas Loses E85 Fueling Site
We were disappointed to learn that the Topeka Travel Plaza and Roost Truck Stop announced its closed last week. Located at I70 and Wanamaker Drive, the Travel Plaza was the first public E85 fueling site. Owners said the growth of the Wanamaker corridor in Topeka made it difficult for trucks to get to the station. The closing, which was unannounced, came as a surprise to us as well as to many in the Topeka business community. We are already in discussions with other retailers in Topeka who might be interested in selling E85 at their station.

Water & The Future of Kansas; Kansas Water Congress
Jessica Baetz Caylor from our office attended the Water & The Future of Kansas Conference was held March 11 at Lawrence. A meeting of the Kansas Water Congress was held following the Water & the Future of Kansas Conference. This meeting was intended to be an organizational meeting with a member of the Colorado Water Congress in attendance to discuss how their group is organized. Jessica Baetz Caylor participates in Water Congress.

Upper Arkansas BAC / King Ranch Update
Jessica attended the Upper Arkansas BAC meeting in Jetmore March 15. Kansas Water Office representatives discussed the state's plan to wait until next year to go forward with a possible purchase of the Circle K Ranch in Edwards County. This recommendation was made by the governor's subcabinet on Natural Resources due to the lack of time to get appropriate input from basin advisory committees, the Kansas Water Authority, and the local advisory group. A member of Groundwater Management District #5 announced that GMD#5 was interested in purchasing Circle K and were speaking to the city of Hays about the possible purchase.

Little Arkansas River WRAPS
Jessica also attended the Little Arkansas River Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategy (WRAPS) workshop in Moundridge on March 16. The workshop brought together local citizens, agencies and other interested parties to discuss the water resources and challenges in the area. This area will have a TMDL revision in 2005 with some TMDLs written for atrazine.
 

Friday, March 12, 2004


Voice Your Support for Endangered Species Act Counterpart Regulations
Since 2000, environmental activist organizations have filed 10 lawsuits alleging the Environmental Protection Agency failed to protect endangered species when it registered pesticides. The lawsuits do not accuse EPA of actually harming endangered species, but allege that EPA's pesticide registration process is not sufficient to protect them. These include a lawsuit against EPA on its registration process for atrazine. The purpose of these suits is to shut down the registration process and to limit access to pesticide products. In January, the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service with the help of EPA and the US Dept. of Agriculture, issued proposed regulations to establish a new procedure incorporating pesticide registration reviews and endangered species consultations, called a "counterpart regulation". The proposed counterpart regulation will streamline and clarify how EPA's pesticide review process will comply with ESA. Most importantly, The counterpart regulations create a program that actually enhances the protection of endangered species while maintaining access to products that are vital to agriculture and others that rely on pesticides, including lawn care, consumers, forestry and public health.

TAKE ACTION! You can submit comments supporting the ESA Counterpart Regulations by visiting the KGSPA web site at www.ksgrains.com. Follow the link on KGSPA page to a legislative action center which is hosted by the corn growers association. KCGA and KGSPA are encouraging members to submit comments. You don't have to be a computer geek to use the legislative action center. You can use the letter we've provided, just adding your name and address, or you can use the talking points on the web site to personalize your letter.

Greg Shelor Returns from NGSP State President's Washington Fly-In
KGSPA President Greg Shelor participated in NGSP's State President's Fly-In this week in Washington DC. KGSPA Executive Director Jere White also participated in the event. The state presidents visited legislative offices, agencies and other key staff to discuss crop insurance, ethanol and other legislative issues. Greg also serves as NGSP Vice President for Legislation.

Energy Bill Outlook Is Gloomy
Senate Energy Chair Pete Domenici scaled down the energy bill, retaining the Renewable Fuels Standard, but stripping the MTBE liability language. Unfortunately, although House leaders are getting pressure from the White House and the Senate, they say they will not support a Senate energy bill that does not contain MTBE liability protection. We're still pushing for passage of the bill that would require the use of 5 billion gallons of ethanol by 2012.


Ethanol Information
Earlier this week, a producer asked for a sheet with US and Kansas ethanol information, broken down by year since 1997. The information was easy enough to find, and when compiled served as a strong reminder of the growth in this industry.

US Ethanol Production
Year Ethanol Produced Grain Usage
1997 1.3 billion gallons 500 million bushels
1998 1.4 billion gallons 538 million bushels
1999 1.47 billion gallons 565 million bushels
2000 1.63 billion gallons 627 million bushels
2001 1.77 billion gallons 681 million bushels
2002 2.13 billion gallons 819 million bushels
2003 2.81 billion gallons 1.077 billion bushels

COPRODUCTS
In 2003, dry mill facilities accounted for 67% of US ethanol production and wet mills 33%.
Ethanol dry mills produced approximately 6.4 million short tons of distillers grains.
Ethanol wet mills (which use primarily corn) produced approximately 470,000 short tons of corn gluten meal, 2.6 million short tons of corn gluten feed and germ meal, and 560 million pounds of corn oil.

MARKETS
· In 2003, ethanol provided a market for 12 percent of the US grain sorghum crop and 10 percent of the US corn crop.

Kansas Ethanol Facts
6 dry mill ethanol plants in operation. EKAE plans to break ground for a 25 million gallon plant at Garnett this spring.
Over 117 million gallons annual production capacity. In 2005, with addition of EKAE, the total will be over 142 million gallons.
Current production creates a market for over 45 million bushels of sorghum and corn

Kansas Plant Capacity (by size)
US Energy Partners, Russell 40 million gallons per year
Western Plains Energy, Campus 30 million gallons per year
Abengoa, Colwich 25 million gallons per year
Reeve Agri-Energy, Garden City 12 million gallons per year
MGP Ingredients, Atchison 9 million gallons per year
ESE Alcohol, Leoti 1.5 million gallons per year
TOTAL 117.5 million gallons per year

Other ethanol facts:
1 bushel of sorghum or corn produces 2.7 gallons of ethanol.
For every bushel of grain used, 1/3 goes to ethanol; 1/3 goes to distillers grains, a valued livestock feed; 1/3 goes to carbon dioxide. The Russell plant is involved in a project to inject CO2 into marginal oil fields for enhanced oil recovery.
In Kansas, more ethanol is made with grain sorghum than with corn. The two grains are interchangeable in the ethanol-making process.
32 of the 72 U.S. ethanol plants are farmer-owned, and 12 of the 15 plants currently under construction are farmer owned.
 

Friday, February 27, 2004

Growers Testify Against Application Equipment Registration Bill
Grower testified at the Senate Ag Committee hearing last Tuesday against Senate Bill 464. KGSPA President Greg Shelor submitted written testimony since he was at the NGSP Conference and unable to attend the hearing. The bill would require registration of farmer-owned fertilizer and pesticide application equipment. The hearing was "advertised" by some as a steel cage match between growers and KARA. We reminded the committee that we had hoped that the committee would not hold a hearing on the bill because it had no merit. The Kansas Agribusiness Retailers Association spoke in support of the bill, but we were surprised at the support of the Kansas Cooperative Council. Several agribusiness retailers and farmer-owned cooperatives with businesses in 189 towns in 69 counties submitted testimony supporting the bill. The committee did not take action on the bill.

Pancake Feed
Thanks to all of you who helped at the Wake Up to Kansas pancake breakfast in Topeka on Tuesday. We had a great time flipping pancakes and visiting with our legislators!

KGSPA Board Meets
The KGSPA board met following the pancake feed. The board held a quick reorganizational meeting, and elected officers. The following officers were reelected to their posts: Greg Shelor, President; Kelly Miller, Vice President; Jeff Filinger, Secretary, and Earl Roemer, Treasurer.

Jere White announced to the board that Freddie Walls has resigned to from the board due to health reasons. We all hope Freddie feels better soon, and continues to be involved in the association.

Senate Passes Highway Bill with VEETC
The U.S. Senate recently passed the highway reauthorization bill last week, which includes an important ethanol tax modification in the highway reauthorization bill. The change, supported by numerous transportation and agricultural organizations, reforms the current ethanol tax structure to eliminate any negative impact on the highway trust fund (HTF). By modifying the method in which federal excise taxes are collected on ethanol-blended fuels, the Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Credit (VEETC) would generate more than $2 billion per year in additional HTF revenues while maintaining an important incentive for the use of renewable fuels. VEETC also extends the incentive through 2010. Senator Roberts voted in favor of the highway bill. Senator Brownback voted against it, citing its high price tag.

Flex Fuel Incentives Extended through 2008
The Bush administration is extending incentives that make it easier for automakers to meet fuel economy requirements by selling vehicles that can run on ethanol and other alternatives to gasoline. Congress enacted the program to try to get people to use alternative fuels. Although most media reports failed to mention it, the program is working. E85 is becoming available at more locations throughout the United States. Without flexible fuel vehicles on the road, retailers won't be interested in carrying E85 fuel. This extension should help with continued growth of E85 availability. The extension covers vehicles through the 2008 model year, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Wednesday. The program, approved by Congress in 1998, originally covered vehicles from the 1993 to 2004 model years.

Ethanol Industry Is Going Strong!
We heard some good news out of the National Ethanol Conference held last week. RFA President Bob Dinneen spoke to participants about several industry achievements over the past year.
· The US Ethanol industry is now the fastest growing energy industry in the world.
· Ethanol is blended in 30% of the nation's gasoline.
· Annual record of 2.81 billion gallons produced in 2003;
· Monthly record of 207,000 barrels per day produced in December;
· Currently, 72 ethanol plants can produce 3.1 billion gallons annually;
· With 15 plants under construction, annual production capacity will soon expand to over 3.6 billion gallons;
· Farmer-owned ethanol plants account for 40% of total industry capacity;
· Ethanol use consumed more than 1 billion bushels of grain in 2003;

CSP Technical Committee
Jessica Baetz Caylor attended a technical committee meeting for the Conservation Security Program this week. She said the government has not yet announced the priority watersheds where the program will be available. CSP is a voluntary conservation program to support ongoing conservation stewardship of agricultural lands by providing payments to producers who maintain and enhance the condition of natural resources. CSP will identify and reward those farmers and ranchers who are meeting the highest standards of conservation and environmental management on their operations. In addition, CSP will create powerful incentives for other producers to meet those same standards of conservation performance. The first CSP sign-up will be offered in selected priority watersheds across the Nation. Producers within these watersheds may submit an application once they meet eligibility criteria outlined below and complete a benchmark inventory documenting the existing conservation treatment on each land use within the agricultural operation for land to be enrolled.

 

Friday, January 30, 2004

Membership Recruitment Letters Are Going Out
As we have done for the past few years, the personalized letters from KGSPA board members are being mailed to prospective members. The letter details the work and accomplishments of KGSPA and explains the free seed or chemical deal. A three-year membership will get two free bags of sorghum seed or a certificate for $100 free chemical from Syngenta. The chemical deal is for new members only. This is a great deal. Be ready to answer questions from potential members and encourage them to join today!

East Kansas Agri Energy Moves Ahead with Plans for Ethanol Plant
Organizers of East Kansas Agri Energy LLC announced today that they reached the requirements to break escrow for the construction of a 25 million gallon ethanol plant at Garnett. EKAE's equity drive ended Saturday, Jan. 24. According to Bill Pracht, EKAE Chairman, the group reached the bank requirement to break escrow on the project. Organizers are now going through last minute investments and finalizing financial and legal agreements that will lead to the completion of the project. The group raised over $16 million in equity from more than 500 investors.

The size of the Garnett plant has been increased from 20 million gallons to 25 million gallons, and will be built at the same cost of $36 million.

Western Plains Energy Makes Ethanol
The EKAE announcement came a week after Western Plains Energy LLC produced its first drops of ethanol. The 30 million gallon plant, located in Campus in northwest Kansas completed its equity drive about a year ago.

Energy Bill's Future Is Murky
What's going to happen to the Energy Bill with the 5 billion gallon RFS? It's hard to say. One thing that is clear is that the Energy Bill has become a huge political issue in Washington, DC. Some are saying the Senate will scale back the Energy Bill, so it has a smaller price tag. The RFS would remain in the bill, but there is a lot of concern about liability protection for MTBE producers. Another option that has been mentioned is to add energy bill measures to the Highway bill. Others say the Senate could send the bill back to the Conference Committee. Stay tuned-it sounds like it will be a wild ride!

COMING UP! Legislative Pancake Feed FEBRUARY 24
Our Annual "Wake Up to Kansas Agriculture" legislative breakfast will be held on Tuesday, February 24 at the Assumption Church in Topeka (across from the Capitol).

Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission Meeting to be Rescheduled
Monday's KGSC meeting was called off due to weather. Kevin Lickteig reports that the meeting will be rescheduled for a date after the National Grain Sorghum Conference.

BAC Meetings Continue
Jessica Baetz attended the Lower Arkansas BAC meeting in Wichita on Jan. 29. Listed below are February BAC meetings.

February 2004
16th - Upper Republican BAC, Midwest Energy, 1:30 pm, Hoxie, KS
16th - Solomon BAC, Midwest Energy, 1:30 pm, Hoxie, KS
17th - Smoky Hill-Saline BAC, Hays City Hall, 9:00 am, Hays, KS
23rd - Upper Arkansas BAC, NEW MEETING DATE! King Center, 1:30 pm, Jetmore, KS
24th - Cimarron BAC, Liberal Public Library, 9:30 am, Liberal, KS

Drought Continues Across State
Dry conditions remain across most of the state. The Governor recently raised the drought alert level to emergency status in a 17-county area of northwest and west central Kansas counties and 11 northeast Kansas counties have been declared as Drought Emergency areas. Northwest Kansas counties covered include Cheyenne, Decatur, Graham, Norton, Rawlins, Sheridan, Sherman and Thomas. Counties covered in west central Kansas include Gove, Greeley, Lane, Logan, Ness, Scott, Trego, Wallace and Wichita. Northeast Kansas counties are Atchison, Brown, Doniphan, Jackson, Jefferson, Leavenworth, Marshall, Nemaha, Pottawatomie, Riley and Wyandotte. All other Kansas counties remain under the drought warning. Emergency status qualifies counties additional drought assistance tools from the state and federal government. About two-thirds of the state is classified by the US Drought Monitor from extreme drought to abnormally dry.

"Slice of Ag" Day
Jessica Baetz is participating in the "Slice of Ag" day in Lawrence today. This educational event will feature a pizza lunch for students who will learn the important role agriculture plays in their lives.
 

Wednesday, January 14, 2004

Legislative Pancake Feed Re-Scheduled for FEBRUARY 24
Same place, new date for our Annual "Wake Up to Kansas Agriculture" legislative breakfast (and pancake flipping contest). The breakfast will be held on Tuesday, February 24 at the Assumption Church in Topeka (across from the Capitol). This is a change from previous years when we've held the event during American Ag Week in March. Many other ag events were piling up during the week. This new date gives us the opportunity to reach our state legislators earlier in the session and avoid conflicts with other ag events. In our last Leader Update, we said we were going to have it on February 12, erase that from your calendar-there was a conflict on the legislative calendar.

Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission to Meet January 26 at Salina
The next KGSC meeting will be at 10 a.m. Jan. 26 at the FSA Office, 1410 E. Iron.

KGSC Has Three Candidates for Eastern Kansas Positions
The three eastern districts each have a candidate to serve on the Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission. Leo Bindel, Sabetha has filed as a candidate in the Northeast district. Jeff Casten, Quenemo, has filed for re-election to represent the East-central district. Kathryn Claiborne, Fredonia, has filed to represent the Southeast district.

Western Plains Energy LLC Ethanol Plant Takes First Load of Grain
The WPE plant at Campus took its first load of grain sorghum on January 6 and should be making ethanol next week. You can see pictures of the plant at www.westernplainsenergy.biz/

East Kansas Agri Energy LLC Nearing Deadline
EKAE put out a news release this week reminding potential investors of the January 24 deadline for investing in the 20 million gallon ethanol plant to be located at Garnett. To date almost 400 individuals have invested over $11 million in the project. In the news release, Bill Pracht, Chairperson for EKAE states, "Once the offering closes there will be no additional membership units available in the foreseeable future." EKAE has registered a public offering in Kansas to sell ownership units at a price of $1,000 per unit, with a minimum purchase of 10 units, or a minimum investment of $10,000. Becoming a member of EKAE only requires 10% down to secure one's position in the company. Once EKAE receives enough subscription agreements to meet the requirements of the escrow agreement, written notice will be given to investors for the remaining 90% which will be due in 20 days from the time notice is given. The Board of Directors has been successful in obtaining their air permit, which will be necessary to start construction. At this time, the company has interviewed ethanol and marketers of dried distillers grain and is currently negotiating debt financing terms with a potential lender.

Governor Sebelius Signs Agreement with Cuba's Alimport
Governor Kathleen Sebelius signed an communique with Alimport in Cuba. In the agreement, Cuba said it would purchase $10 million in Kansas ag products. The agreement was worked out after three trips to Cuba by the Kansas Department of Commerce and grower groups. KGSC member Jay Zimmerman was on one of those trips in December 2002. His group met with Cuban leader Fidel Castro who indicated an interest in buying sorghum during their visit.

Jere White Is Featured in Farm Journal
Jere White is featured in the January issue of Farm Journal magazine in an article titled "Ambassador of Atrazine". The writer gives an overview of Jere's involvement in EPA's triazine special review, which includes atrazine. A copy of the article is enclosed, or you can find it online at www.agweb.com. Click on the Farm Journal tab at the top of the page.

Ag Statistics Releases Final 2003 Estimates
According to Ag Stastics, production of sorghum for grain in Kansas totaled 130.5 million bushels in 2003. Production was down 2.8 million bushels from the November forecast and 4.5 million bushels below last year. The yield, at 45 bushels per acre, was unchanged from a year earlier. Kansas farmers planted 3.55 million acres, 250,000 acres fewer than last year. Harvested area for grain was 2.90 million acres, down 3 percent from 2002. Kansas ranked second to Texas in sorghum production for 2003.

Other crops:
Corn production for grain totaled 300.0 million bushels, down 26.0 million bushels from the November forecast, but 10.0 million bushels above last year's production of 290.0 million bushels. Kansas soybeans totaled 57.0 million bushels, down 460,000 bushels from the November forecast and 1.38 million bushels below last year's production. Wheat production was 480.0 million bushels, up 80 percent from the 2002 crop. Dry bean production, at 231,000 cwt., was up 71,000 cwt. from 2002. Sunflower production totaled 205.0 million pounds, 35 percent above last year's production of 151.6 million pounds. Cotton production, at 100,000 bales, compares to 76,300 bales in 2002. Producers harvested 80,000 acres of cotton, up 18 percent from the acres harvested in 2002.
 

Friday, January 2, 2004

Happy New Year!
What's our New Year's Resolution for 2004? More. More rain, more productive harvest, more return on our crops.

2004 Sorghum Industry Conference Feb. 15-17
You've received information on the 2004 Sorghum Industry Conference in Little Rock, Arkansas. NGSP has put together a very interesting agenda with speakers on ethanol, transportation, ag retailing, distillers grains, crop insurance, water, and sorghum health benefits. Next year, the conference will combine with the National Association of Wheat Growers annual convention.

Despite Drought, Kansas Does Well in Yield Contest
Seven out of the 17 winners of the National Grain Sorghum Yield and Management Contest were from Kansas. That's pretty good considering the weather conditions we endured in our state during the growing season.

Gary Resco from Cloud County placed first in the No-Till Non Irrigated division with a yield of 151.28 bushels per acre planting Pioneer 84G62. The yield was 94.78 bushels per acre higher than his county average. Ki Gamble, from Kiowa County, won the Conventional Till Irrigated division with 194.55 bushels per acre, which was 95.55 bushels higher than his county average. He planted Pioneer 84G62. Jerry Guenther, Wilson County placed second in the Mulch Till Non-Irrigated Division with a yield of 163.81 bushels per acre. That was 82.61 bushels higher than his county average. He planted Pioneer 84G62. Smith Brothers in Morton County placed second in the Conventional Till Non-Irrigated Division with a yield of 134.61 bushels per acre, beating the county average by 98.21 bushels. They planted Pioneer 85Y34. Willard Whitney of Pratt County placed third in the Reduced Till Irrigated Division with a yield of 170.05 bushels per acre, beating the county average by 84.05 bushels. He planted Dekalb DKS54-00.

The National Food Grade Division winners were both from Kansas as well. 3M Farms of Seward County won the Irrigated Food Grade division with a yield of 152.82 bushels per acre, beating the county average by 60.82 bushels. They planted NC+7W92. Robert Thomas of Stevens County was the non-irrigated winner with a yield of 78.72 bushels per acre beating his county average by 42.92 bushels. He planted Dekalb DKS44-41.

Sorghum and Corn Growers Urge Science Based Approach to BSE Case
We issued a news release and fact sheet on Christmas Eve, the day after the BSE case in Washington state was announced. With the livestock industry our number one customer, we believe it is important to work to protect our domestic and foreign beef markets. The news release is attached.

BSE Facts
· BSE is not known to spread from animal to animal according to the latest science. The most critical animal health control measure - a ruminant feed ban - has been in place since 1997. We have systems in place to quickly contain this disease and eliminate it.

· This is an animal health issue, not a human health issue. Current science indicates BSE is not found in muscle meat, rather it is only found in central nervous tissue such as the brain and spinal cord.

· The BSE agent is not found in meat like steaks and roasts. It is found in central nervous system tissue such as brain and spinal cord.

· All U.S. cattle are inspected by a USDA inspector or veterinarian before going to slaughter. Animals with any signs of neurological disorder are tested for BSE.

· BSE affects older cattle, typically over 30 months of age. The vast majority of the cattle going to market in the U.S. are less than 24 months old.

· The U.S. began a surveillance program for BSE in 1990 and was the first country without the disease within its borders to test cattle for the disease. The surveillance system targets all cattle with any signs of neurological disorder as well as those over 30 months of age and animals that are non-ambulatory.

· The U.S. banned imports of cattle and bovine products from countries with BSE beginning in 1989.

· The only way BSE spreads is through contaminated feed. The U.S. Food & Drug Administration in 1997 instituted a ban on feeding ruminant-derived meat and bone meal supplements to cattle. This is a firewall that prevents the spread of BSE to other animals if it were present in the U.S.

· The suspect animal was an adult Holstein cow. The animal was from a farm in Mabton, Washington, about 40 miles southeast of Yakima, which has been quarantined.

· The animal was slaughtered in a small, federally-inspected packing plant in Moses Lake, Washington, and all specific risk materials (such as spinal cord, brain, intestine) were rendered and not allowed into the human food chain.

· The animal was tested as part of USDA's BSE surveillance program. The presumptive positive was diagnosed using two tests, one of which was the immunohistochemistry test, which is recognized by World Animal Health Organization as the gold standard test for BSE. The brain samples were then flown to the Central Veterinary Lab at Weybridge, England.

· The animal was processed and, although there is no risk of infectivity in the meat, USDA will attempt to trace the product from this animal.

Friday, December 19, 2003

Merry Christmas!
It's hard to believe Christmas is just a few days away! We hope you have your cookies baked, tree decorated, presents wrapped and your letter sent off to Santa. Our office will be closed on Thursday, Christmas Day, and on Friday the 26th to give our staff members a chance to spend time with family for the holiday. We'll also be out of the office the afternoon of Tuesday, December 23, for an office Christmas party. We hope you have a safe and happy Christmas!

Commodity Classic-One of Our Best Ever
A little bad weather didn't keep well over 200 growers away from this year's Kansas Commodity Classic, and thankfully, only one speaker wasn't able to make it to the event. Kansas Senator Bob Dole was a big hit at the Classic luncheon, speaking to a near capacity crowd we were just short of filling the banquet hall that had been set for 250. It was a rare opportunity to hear our senior statesman talk about politics and agriculture and to share his political humor.

Ethanol Stakeholder Meeting Provides Forum
The Ethanol Stakeholders meeting on last Thursday drew over 45 people who have an interest in ethanol. The diverse group represented all levels of ethanol production: growers, grain buyers, the rail industry, ethanol plant developers, owners, operators, bankers and lenders, ethanol marketers, fuel retailers. Also on hand were representatives from the Department of Agriculture, Department of Commerce, and commodity groups. Robert White from our office gave a presentation on the status of the Kansas ethanol industry; Greg Krissek of ICM gave a national and worldwide ethanol overview and Gary Marshall of the Missouri Corn Growers Association spoke about efforts to expand the ethanol industry in his state. Jere White led a discussion of how the group should progress. It was the consensus that at this point, the stakeholder group should remain an informal entity that helps keep the lines of communication open between the different stakeholders on ethanol issues.

E85 Pump Now Open at Garnett
Kansas now boasts three public E85 fueling sites. The Petro Plus station at Garnett added the fuel for flexible fuel vehicles this week. This gives the KGSPA flexible fuel vehicles a convient refueling station, as well as many other flexible fuel vehicles in the area. We've been using E85 for over a decade in our vehicles, dating back to the early 90s when Jere White had a vehicle modified to operate on the fuel, which at that time was purchased directly from an ethanol plant. Now there are over 3 million flexible fuel vehicles on the road, and the E85 infrastructure continues to grow. Ford Motor Company, General Motors Corporation, Daimler Chrysler, Mercedes and Dodge all produce FFVs. E85 is also available in Topeka at the Topeka Travel Plaza located at 1235 Wanamaker Rd. and at Maize at the Maize Kwik Shop, 5340 N. Maize Road.

Roger Oplinger Presented with Plaque
Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission Chairman Jeff Casten presented a plaque to former sorghum commissioner Roger Oplinger at the Kansas Commodity Classic last week. Jeff thanked Roger for his years of service to the commission and the state's grain sorghum growers.

'Sen. Grassley Signals Votes Now There for Energy Bill'
Atop our Christmas wish list is passage of the Energy Bill with the Renewable Fuels Standard. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) is signaling that votes are there for Senate passage of the omnibus energy bill. Contacts advise that Grassley told a meeting of corn and soybean producers in Ames, Iowa, Tuesday night that two lawmakers who voted against cloture on the energy bill were now going to vote in favor. According to contacts, Grassley said that Sen. John Rockefeller (D-W.Va.) and Daniel Inouye (D-Hi.) were now going to vote for cloture.

The Senate last month failed to invoke cloture when lawmakers voted 57-40 in favor; 60 votes are needed to invoke cloture and move on to consideration of the bill. That 57-40 tally, however, reflected Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) switching his vote to allow for a call to reconsider the vote later. Three lawmakers did not vote -- Senators John Edwards (D-N.C.), John Kerry (D-Ma.) and Ernest Hollings (D-S.C.). The official count before Frist's switch was 58-39. If the two lawmakers in question are indeed switching their votes and no other lawmakers shift their votes from yes to no, it would appear the Senate would have the votes needed to act on the energy bill.

Governor Talks to Ag Groups
Sue Schulte attended an ag roundtable discussion called by Governor Kathleen Sebelius and Secretary of Agriculture Adrian Polansky. Several ag groups were on hand to talk about issues and priorities for their respective groups. Ethanol, the energy bill and a potential effort to eliminate mandatory labeling of fuel containing ethanol were discussed.

Friday, December 5, 2003

Value Added Conference/Kansas Commodity Classic Tuesday & Wednesday
We've been scampering around, wrapping up the loose ends for the VAC/Kansas Commodity Classic. We're looking forward to seeing you all at the meetings.

Kansas Commodity Classic Brings Many Meetings
The grain sorghum, wheat and corn associations and commissions have meetings scheduled Monday through Thursday. Here's an overview of who's meeting when:

· Kansas Wheat Commission/Kansas Association of Wheat Growers (KAWG) Joint Banquet is at the K-State Alumni Center at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, December 8

· Kansas Association of Wheat Growers Annual Meeting is at 7:30 a.m. on Tuesday, December 9 at the K-State Alumni Center

· Kansas Corn Commission meeting is at 8 am. at the Manhattan Holidome, Conference Room V

· Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association Annual Meeting is at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, December 9 at the Holidome Sunflower Room.
 

· Kansas Corn Growers Association Annual Meeting is at 7 a.m. on Wednesday, December 10 in the Holidome Sunflower Room.
 

· Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission will meet at 8 a.m. Thursday, December 11 at the Kansas Crop Improvement Association office in Manhattan.
 

· Kansas Ethanol Stakeholders meeting begins at 10 a.m. at the Holidome Regency A.

East Kansas Agri Energy Equity Drive Meeting Tuesday in Manhattan
Final equity drive meetings have been scheduled for the second week of December. EKAE will have an Open House at its office in Garnett from 2-7 p.m. on Monday, December 8. On Tuesday, December 9, EKAE will have a meeting and hospitality room beginning at 8 p.m. at the Manhattan Holidome in Conference V. To date the project has been successful in raising almost $10 million in commitments towards construction of the plant. As stated in the EKAE prospectus, the offering will close on January 24, 2004.

Another Circle K Meeting Coming Up
Jessica Caylor reminds growers that the next meeting to discus the purchase of the Circle K Ranch in Edwards County by the State of Kansas. We had an article in the leader update last month about this issue. The cities of Hays and Russell currently own the ranch and it is leased for agricultural production.

Promoting DDGS at KLA Convention
We were at the Kansas Livestock Association convention trade show on Thursday at Wichita. For this show, we customized our booth to promote DDGS (Dried Distillers Grains with Solids). This coproduct of the ethanol production process is a high nutrient feed valued by the livestock industry. With the growing ethanol industry in Kansas, it's important to develop a market for DDGS in Kansas. Kevin Lickteig from KGSC and Robert White from the association office manned the booth.

DDGS Quick Facts

WHAT IS DDGS?
 

· When ethanol plants make ethanol, they use only starch from corn and grain sorghum. The remaining nutrients - protein, fiber and oil - are the by-products used to create livestock feed called dried distillers grains with solubles-DDGS
 

· Currently, dry mill ethanol plants in the U.S. produce 5.5 million tons of DDGS annually. This number is expected to hit 7 million tons by the end of 2005.
 

· Kansas currently has five ethanol plants located in Atchison, Colwich, Russell, Garden City and Leoti, producing over 86 million gallons of ethanol. A new 30 million gallon plant near Oakley will begin production in January 2004.
 

· A third of the grain that goes into ethanol production comes out as DDGS

DDGS Qualities
 

· Rich in cereal and residual yeast proteins, energy, minerals and vitamins.
 

· Is an excellent digestible protein and energy source for beef cattle.
 

· Can comprise 20-30% of the ration DM.
 

· Can also be used in turkey and swine applications.
 

· Is a valuable feed for both feedlot and dairy cattle. In North America, over 80% of DDGS is used in ruminant diets. DDGS also is fed to poultry. Recent studies show excellent nutritional value of DDGS in swine diets, and its use is increasing in the pork industry.

· Each bushel of grain produces 2.7 gallons of ethanol; 18 pounds of DDGS and 18 pounds of carbon dioxide.

Free Seed for Membership Deal
We sent out the new Free Seed deal flyers with the KGSPA newsletter in November. Jessica will do a prospect mailing in January. Free seed sponsors are: Asgrow; Croplan Genetics; Dekalb; Fontanelle; Garst; Hoegemeyer; Kaystar; Midland Genetics; NC+; NK-Sorghum Partners; Pioneer; Triumph. The free seed form can be found on the KGSPA web site at www.ksgrains.com. If you'd like some forms for your recruiting efforts, call Jessica Baetz Caylor at our office at 800-489-2676.
 

Friday, November 21, 2003

Happy Thanksgiving
The KGSPA office will be closed on Thanksgiving Day and Friday, Nov. 28. We're thankful for our friendships with you, our good friends.

Energy Bill Passes House-But Stalls in the Senate
Tuesday in the HouseHouse: Congressmen Jerry Moran, Jim Ryun, Todd Tiahrt and Dennis Moore all voted in favor of the Energy Bill with the Renewable Fuels Standard on Tuesday. We were very pleased to have the support of the entire delegation. If you see your US Representative, be sure to thank him for this important vote! The Energy Bill is currently on the Senate Floor. Although, there may be an attempt at a filibuster, we are cautiously optimistic that the Senate will pass the Energy Bill before Thanksgiving.

Today in the Senate: The Senate failed to pass a cloture vote today that would have ended floor debate (filibuster). The vote was 57-40. 60 votes were needed to pass the cloture vote. Both of our Kansas Senators Pat Roberts and Sam Brownback voted for cloture, which was a vote in favor of moving the energy bill forward.

Energy Bill Conference Chairman Pete Domenici from New Mexico said he was disappointed that some farm state senators voted against closure. "We have worked harder for the farmers in America than anybody in history. The Democrats are leading a parade to kill the most important provision ever" for farmers. "If I were a farmer, I'd ask who threw it away? They're gonna know," Domenici said.

While we're disappointed the Senate was unable to pass the cloture vote, we remain cautiously optimistic that the Energy Bill can move through the Senate next week. We'll keep you updated!

The comprehensive energy bill includes the following ethanol-friendly provisions:
· Renewable Fuels Standard - doubles the minimum use of ethanol to 5 billion gallons per year by 2012.

· Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Credit (VEETC) - protects highway funding while preserving an important incentive for ethanol use.
 

· Modifies the Small Ethanol Producer Tax Credit to allow farmer-owned facilities to fully utilize the credit.
·
KS Technical Committee Working on 2004 EQIP
Jessica Baetz Caylor attended the Kansas Technical Committee Meeting for EQIP on Wednesday. The group is currently working on the 2004 EQIP program.



UPCOMING MEETINGS

KGSPA Conference Call-December 2
Just a reminder that the KGSPA Board will have a conference call at 7 a.m. December 2.

Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association Annual Meeting-Dec. 9
The KGSPA Annual Meeting will be held at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, December 9 at the Manhattan Holiday Inn Holidome. All KGSPA members are encouraged to attend to hear grain sorghum updates, discuss resolutions and elect board members from the southwest, north central and east central districts. The KGSPA board will hold their yearly reorganizational meeting following the annual meeting to elect officers.

KGSC Meeting-December 11
The Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission will meet at 8 a.m. Thursday, December 11 at the Kansas Crop Improvement Association office in Manhattan. This is the morning following the Kansas Commodity Classic.

Kansas Ethanol Stakeholders Meeting-Dec. 11
The Kansas Ethanol Stakeholder Meeting will begin at 10 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 11 at the Manhattan Holiday Inn Holidome.

Tuesday, Dec. 9 --- Value Added Conference
11:00 a.m.-Registration
Lunch on your own

1:00 p.m.-General Session--Managing Successful Cooperative Projects
Dr. Vincent Amanor-Boadu, Director of the KSU Value Added Business Development Program

3:00 p.m.-General Session--Global Food Industry and Consumer Issues
Dr. David Hughes, Imperial College, London

4:30 p.m.-KGSPA Annual Meeting

6:00-8:00 p.m. -"Taste of Kansas" Reception

Wednesday, Dec. 10 --- Kansas Commodity Classic
8:00 a.m.-Registration

9:00 a.m.-Opening Remarks--Kansas Secretary of Agriculture, Adrian Polansky

10:30 a.m.-Marketing Trends for Kansas Producers--Bill Hudson, ProExporter Network

11:00 a.m.-Fence Posts Talking to Each Other-Farm Family Dynamics--Ron Hanson, University of Nebraska

11:30 a.m.-Luncheon-Senator Bob Dole, Speaker

1:30 p.m. & 3 p.m.-Break-out Sessions-participants will choose two sessions

Marketing, Bill Hudson
You Can Buy the Farm but I Still Own It, Ron Hanson
Crop Insurance, Art Barnaby, KSU
Structuring a Farmer-Owned Business, Vincent Amanor-Boadu
Biotech Wheat --TBA
 

Friday, November 7, 2003

Congress Should Vote on Energy Bill Next Week
Good news on the Energy Bill with the Renewable Fuels Standard. House Majority Leader DeLay has tentatively scheduled a vote next Thursday for an energy conference report. Taking up the defense authorization bill, which includes a concurrent receipt proposal, would give House members a legislative accomplishment for veterans heading into Veterans Day next Tuesday. The House returns next week after Veterans Day for a series of suspension bills Wednesday with votes postponed until 6:30 p.m. In addition to the energy bill, a vote is expected Thursday on the FY04 Energy and Water appropriations conference report. House Speaker Hastert said today energy legislation and a Medicare prescription drug bill are top priorities before Congress ends the session. The Senate will be in session Monday through Friday.

EPA's IRED on Atrazine Is Great News for Growers
Kansas farmers received good news Friday when EPA announced it would not put additional restrictions on atrazine, a herbicide used on 2/3 of all sorghum and corn. Friday's announcement of the Interim Re-Registration Eligibility Decision (IRED) puts growers one step closer to a conclusion of the EPA Special Review of the triazine herbicides, which includes atrazine. EPA is expected to conclude the re-registration process in 2005-06 once they have completed a review of products with similar modes of action. Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association (KGSPA) have been involved in the special review through the Triazine Network, a coalition of growers seeking a science-based outcome to the EPA review./KGSPA Executive Director Jere White is Chairman of the Triazine Network. "The bottom line is that EPA has made a determination that it is safe to use atrazine in the way that we are using it on our farms. This decision is what we expected from EPA," White said. "For years, we have been insisting that EPA's decisions be based on good scientific evidence, and the science proved that atrazine is safe."

EPA said in a statement it "does not find any studies that would lead the agency to conclude that potential cancer risk is likely from exposure to atrazine." The decision also affirms the opinion of EPA's Science Advisory Panel (SAP) that "studies do not provide evidence to show that atrazine produces a consistent, reproducible effect on amphibian development." Included in the IRED is an agreement announced in January between EPA and Syngenta, the registrant of atrazine. Syngenta agreed to implement an innovative water monitoring program that requires monitoring of "raw" or untreated water in targeted watersheds. Exceeding levels of concern for atrazine in a watershed will trigger an intensive monitoring program in those watersheds, as well as best management practices designed and proven by years of research to limit runoff of atrazine into surface water.

Senator Bob Dole Will Speak at VAC/Kansas Commodity Classic
Former Kansas Senator Bob Dole will be the headline speaker at the 2003 Kansas Commodity Classic to be held Dec. 10 at the Manhattan Holiday Inn Holidome. The Kansas Commodity Classic is held in conjunction with the Value Added Conference, which will be hosted by the Kansas Department of Commerce Agricultural Marketing Division on Tuesday, Dec. 9. The Kansas Commodity Classic is the annual convention of the Kansas grain sorghum, wheat and corn growers associations and commissions.

Tuesday, December 9- Value Added Conference
11:00 a.m. - Registration
Lunch on your own
1:00 p.m. - General Session, Dr. Vincent Amanor-Boadu
3:00 p.m. - General Session, Dr. David Hughes
4:30 p.m. - KGSPA Annual Meeting
6:00-8:00 p.m. - "Taste of Kansas" Reception

Wednesday, December 10-Kansas Commodity Classic
8:00 a.m. - Registration
KSU Research Poster Display throughout the day
9:00 a.m. - Kansas Secretary of Agriculture, Adrian Polansky
Opening Remarks
10:30 a.m. - Bill HudsonProExporter Network
Marketing Trends for Kansas Producers
11:00 a.m.-Ron Hanson, University of Nebraska
Fence Posts Talking to Each Other-Farm Family Dynamics
11:30 a.m. - Luncheon-Senator Bob Dole, Speaker
1:30 p.m. & 3 p.m. - Break-out Sessions:
Marketing, Bill Hudson; You Can Buy the Farm but I Still Own It, Ron Hanson; Crop Insurance, Art Barnaby, KSU; Structuring a Farmer-Owned Business, Vincent Amanor-Boadu; Biotech Wheat

Circle K Ranch
Jessica Baetz attended a joint BAC meeting for the Upper and Lower Arkansas Basin Advisory Committees in Kinsley, Kansas. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the possible purchase of the King Ranch in Edwards County by the State of Kansas. The cities of Hays and Russell currently own the ranch and it is leased for agricultural production. Several local stakeholders attended the meeting to learn how the purchase process would work, if it is purchased, what the state plans to do with the land if it is purchased, and why the state is interested in purchasing the land. Representatives from the Department of Agriculture, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, and the Kansas Water Office, stated that they were very open to different possibilities for the use of the land and if purchased, would like to have a local advisory group to assist in land use planning. They did announce that because of Federal Government programs for land reimbursement, Wildlife and Parks would be the agency purchasing the property. Local people had the opportunity to express their views and ideas about how the land could be used and offered many solutions that left at least part of the land in production agriculture in the private sector. The next meeting is December 16, 2003, at the Edwards County Fairgrounds building in Kinsley, Kansas, at 2:00 p.m.

More Ethanol Events:
Mark your calendar for the Kansas Ethanol Stakeholder Meeting to be held Thursday, Dec. 11-the day after the Kansas Commodity Classic in Manhattan.

We recently participated in ethanol rallies at Stafford County, Holyrood and Ellsworth. Ellsworth County is the newest county to add E10 Unleaded!

E10 Unleaded is now available in 335 stations in 95 counties!

October 24, 2003

Grain Sorghum Producers Part of Intervention in NRDC Lawsuit
In August, the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) sued the EPA to stop the continued use of atrazine based on procedural challenges related to the Endangered species act. NGSP is among a group of farm organizations that have filed a request to intervene in that lawsuit. KGSPA Executive Director Jere White has been instrumental in the intervention, representing our growers through the Triazine Network.

Certain groups claim that atrazine has detrimental effects to wildlife at low levels. However, other scientists are not able to replicate those claims, which raises questions as to their scientific validity. On the other hand, the tests that the U.S. EPA has relied on are performed under scientifically rigorous protocols, have been peer-reviewed by other scientists, and have been accepted as valid for demonstrating atrazine's safety.

Jere has been participating in nearly weekly meetings working toward the Atrazine registration decision that will be finalized by EPA by October 31. Jere says it appears favorable that we will maintain all uses of atrazine.

Energy Bill Soon?
We should know soon if the Energy Bill conference committee can resolve contentious issues and move the bill to the House and Senate for a vote next week.

Sen. Pete Domenici, the bill's lead negotiator, scheduled a Tuesday vote among House and Senate negotiators. The negotiators will be asked to approve a compromise version of the bill and set the stage for a final vote in each chamber -- assuming Republicans end an impasse over tax incentives.

Thirty senators, including Kansas Senators Pat Roberts and Sam Brownback, signed onto a letter to conference committee leaders expressing support for a conference report that contains strong RFS language and the tax provisions.

In part, the letter said, "We write to reiterate that the Renewable Fuels Standard, the volumetric ethanol excise tax credits, and the biodiesel excise tax credit contained in the Senate energy bill are critically important to growth of the renewable fuels industry in our states, and to urge you to oppose any effort to weaken these important provisions or eliminate them from the final conference bill."

Openings for SE and NE Kansas KGSC Position
As we told you in the last Leader Update, District 9 Commissioner Dwayne DeTar, Coffeyville, announced that he will not be a candidate for reelection to the commission in this fall's election. Also, earlier this summer, Northeast Kansas Commissioner Stanley Schmitz announced his intentions to retire from the commission. If you know anyone who would be interested in filing as a candidate in either District 7 or District 9, please let KGSC Administrator Kevin Lickteig know. Kevin's number is 913-294-4314 or toll free: 866-457-6456. Internet links to information on the commodity commission elections are conveniently located at both the KGSPA and KGSC web sites that can be found at www.ksgrains.com

American Royal
Jessica Baetz and KGSPA Administrative Assistant Kristie Zentner have been working at the American Royal in Kansas City this week. We are part of the Royal's World of Agriculture educational area. We've participated in this event for several years and are able to reach thousands of school children and others who visit the Royal.

Governor Pumps Up Ethanol Fuel at Maize Event
Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius pumped fuel and talked about the value of ethanol at the Maize Kwik Shop Tuesday for the grand opening event for the E85 fueling site. E85 fuel, which is 85 percent ethanol for use in flexible fuel vehicles, is now available at two locations in Kansas. The store also sells E10 Unleaded fuel.

Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius told participants at the event that ethanol was important to the state's economy as well as rural communities and farmers. The governor signed a bill earlier this year that required state vehicles to use ethanol-blended fuels when possible. She said the state is also adding more flexible fuel vehicles to its fleet.

Kansas Secretary of Agriculture Adrian Polansky said the station was a step toward increasing much needed awareness and use of ethanol in Kansas. He said ethanol has a 35 to 50 percent market share in many nearby states like Nebraska, Iowa and Illinois. While the most recent figures available show that ethanol has less than 3 percent of the fuel market in Kansas, that figure should be higher now because of a substantial increase in the number of stations now carrying E10 unleaded fuel.

Jessica Baetz is now Jessica Baetz Caylor!
Our sincere congratulations and best wishes go out to KGSPA staff member Jessica and her new husband Gary. Jessica and Gary were married on Saturday, October 11 at Smith Center, Jessica's hometown. Gary is a native of Garnett. Gary's a great guy and we're glad to have him in our grain sorghum/corn family!

 
Friday, October 10, 2003

Opening for SE Kansas KGSC Position
District 9 Commissioner Dwayne DeTar, Coffeyville, has announced that he will not be a candidate for reelection to the commission in this fall's election. If you know anyone who would be interested in filing as a candidate in District 9, please let KGSC Administrator Kevin Lickteig know.

KGSC Gets Seats on US Grains Council Teams
The Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission will be well represented on three US Grains Council Advisory teams. Several Council members were recently advised of their appointment to the Advisory Teams following the Board of Directors meeting in Washington Sept. 16.

Jay Zimmerman, SC Kansas Commissioner was appointed to the Asia Programs Advisory Team.

Greg Graff, West Central KS Commissioner was appointed to the Rest of the World (ROW) Programs Advisory Team.

Kevin Lickteig, KGSC Administrator was appointed to the Membership and Communications Programs Advisory Team.

Kansas Ag Statistics Lowers Sorghum Production Estimate
Sorghum grain production is forecast at 133.3 million bushels, down 10 percent from last year. Yields are expected to average 43 bushels per acre, unchanged from last month but down 5 bushels from last year's yield. Acreage for harvest as grain is 3.10 million acres, down 100,000 acres from September 1. We're still hopeful our 2003 harvest will beat the predictions. What do you think?

Is the Energy Bill Stalled??
Headlines today indicated that the Energy Bill in the conference committee may not be completed until early 2004. That word coming out of Senate Energy Committee Chairman Pete Domenici's office. But don't give up hope! But many Washington observers think that the Senator's threats of a stall were made to get the House side of the committee move toward compromise. President Bush said again this week that he expects Congress to send him an energy bill he can sign this fall.

"There is the possibility if the House adjourns at the end of October that the conference may be pushed back until January," said Domenici's spokeswoman, Marnie Funk. However, a spokesman for House Energy and Commerce Chairman Billy Tauzin (R., La.) said House conferees see no reason for such a delay. "We still expect to complete our work next week," a Tauzin spokesman said.

What wasn't widely reported is that later on Thursday, Domenici's office issued a statement that he would like to hold a meeting to finish the bill next week and that he was "working toward that objective." The statement released by the Senate Energy Committee said Domenici still planned to try to convene all energy conferees for a final meeting and vote on a conference report the week of Oct. 13.

The most contentious energy bill issues include differences over electricity grid rules, ethanol language, MTBE provisions, energy tax credits, subsidies for an Alaskan natural gas pipeline, and drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR).

Maize E85/E10 Station Grand Opening Set for October 21
Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius will participate in the grand opening celebration of the E85 pump at the Maize Kwik Shop on October 21. The governor will be at the event at 1:30. KGSPA staff have been helping with publicizing the availability of ethanol fuel at this new location. The Kansas Corn Commission, along with ICM, Inc; and National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition provided funding to establish the E85 pump at the station.

Ag Innovation Center at KSU
The Kansas Department of Commerce, Agriculture Marketing Division, announced $1 million in funding from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA.) With the funding, the Kansas Department of Commerce will establish the Kansas Agricultural Innovation Center to assist Kansas farmers and ranchers with their value-added efforts. The funding award from the USDA was a culmination of successful planning by Commerce and its partners in the new center. The partnership includes lead elements from Kansas State University and Pittsburg State University, along with the 21st Century Producers, Inc.. With the guidance and support of leading farm and commodity organizations, this group will form the nucleus of the new Center. The Center's primary responsibility will be to provide vital, timely assistance to producer groups and organizations that wish to pursue value-added ventures based on Kansas agricultural products. The Center's focus will be to maximize the resources in the state to enable greater success and sustainability of value-added ventures, and to impact the broad base of Kansas agriculture by innovative application of existing knowledge and research.

KGSPA worked with the Kansas Department of Commerce to receive funding to establish the center. The association will be represented on the board of the center. Original partners in the project will meet soon and form the board.

Statewide Economic Revitalization Plan Unveiled
Last week, Governor Kathleen Sebelius and Lt. Governor/Commerce Secretary John Moore made public the details of a Statewide Economic Revitalization Plan designed to stimulate and strengthen the Kansas economy. They unveiled the plan to an audience of approximately 500 business, education, and community leaders from throughout the state gathered in Wichita for the 2003 Kansas Prosperity Summit. Of interest to sorghum producers were the plans for energy policy and value added agriculture.

Energy Policy: Develop a balanced renewable energy plan for Kansas, which includes ethanol, biodiesel, biomass, wind, methane, oil and gas, energy efficiency, conservation, and utility or energy delivery. Concern was expressed that other states offer more attractive incentive programs to ethanol producers.

Value-Added Agriculture: Develop and expand the State's value-added focus to include agri-tourism, ag-based energy, dairy production and processing, plant and animal biosciences, rural entrepreneurial investments, and continued value-added processing.

October 24, 2003

Grain Sorghum Producers Part of Intervention in NRDC Lawsuit
In August, the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) sued the EPA to stop the continued use of atrazine based on procedural challenges related to the Endangered species act. NGSP is among a group of farm organizations that have filed a request to intervene in that lawsuit. KGSPA Executive Director Jere White has been instrumental in the intervention, representing our growers through the Triazine Network.

Certain groups claim that atrazine has detrimental effects to wildlife at low levels. However, other scientists are not able to replicate those claims, which raises questions as to their scientific validity. On the other hand, the tests that the U.S. EPA has relied on are performed under scientifically rigorous protocols, have been peer-reviewed by other scientists, and have been accepted as valid for demonstrating atrazine's safety.

Jere has been participating in nearly weekly meetings working toward the Atrazine registration decision that will be finalized by EPA by October 31. Jere says it appears favorable that we will maintain all uses of atrazine.

Energy Bill Soon?
We should know soon if the Energy Bill conference committee can resolve contentious issues and move the bill to the House and Senate for a vote next week.

Sen. Pete Domenici, the bill's lead negotiator, scheduled a Tuesday vote among House and Senate negotiators. The negotiators will be asked to approve a compromise version of the bill and set the stage for a final vote in each chamber -- assuming Republicans end an impasse over tax incentives.

Thirty senators, including Kansas Senators Pat Roberts and Sam Brownback, signed onto a letter to conference committee leaders expressing support for a conference report that contains strong RFS language and the tax provisions.

In part, the letter said, "We write to reiterate that the Renewable Fuels Standard, the volumetric ethanol excise tax credits, and the biodiesel excise tax credit contained in the Senate energy bill are critically important to growth of the renewable fuels industry in our states, and to urge you to oppose any effort to weaken these important provisions or eliminate them from the final conference bill."

Openings for SE and NE Kansas KGSC Position
As we told you in the last Leader Update, District 9 Commissioner Dwayne DeTar, Coffeyville, announced that he will not be a candidate for reelection to the commission in this fall's election. Also, earlier this summer, Northeast Kansas Commissioner Stanley Schmitz announced his intentions to retire from the commission. If you know anyone who would be interested in filing as a candidate in either District 7 or District 9, please let KGSC Administrator Kevin Lickteig know. Kevin's number is 913-294-4314 or toll free: 866-457-6456. Internet links to information on the commodity commission elections are conveniently located at both the KGSPA and KGSC web sites that can be found at www.ksgrains.com

American Royal
Jessica Baetz and KGSPA Administrative Assistant Kristie Zentner have been working at the American Royal in Kansas City this week. We are part of the Royal's World of Agriculture educational area. We've participated in this event for several years and are able to reach thousands of school children and others who visit the Royal.

Governor Pumps Up Ethanol Fuel at Maize Event
Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius pumped fuel and talked about the value of ethanol at the Maize Kwik Shop Tuesday for the grand opening event for the E85 fueling site. E85 fuel, which is 85 percent ethanol for use in flexible fuel vehicles, is now available at two locations in Kansas. The store also sells E10 Unleaded fuel.

Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius told participants at the event that ethanol was important to the state's economy as well as rural communities and farmers. The governor signed a bill earlier this year that required state vehicles to use ethanol-blended fuels when possible. She said the state is also adding more flexible fuel vehicles to its fleet.

Kansas Secretary of Agriculture Adrian Polansky said the station was a step toward increasing much needed awareness and use of ethanol in Kansas. He said ethanol has a 35 to 50 percent market share in many nearby states like Nebraska, Iowa and Illinois. While the most recent figures available show that ethanol has less than 3 percent of the fuel market in Kansas, that figure should be higher now because of a substantial increase in the number of stations now carrying E10 unleaded fuel.

Jessica Baetz is now Jessica Baetz Caylor!
Our sincere congratulations and best wishes go out to KGSPA staff member Jessica and her new husband Gary. Jessica and Gary were married on Saturday, October 11 at Smith Center, Jessica's hometown. Gary is a native of Garnett. Gary's a great guy and we're glad to have him in our grain sorghum/corn family!

 
Friday, October 10, 2003

Opening for SE Kansas KGSC Position
District 9 Commissioner Dwayne DeTar, Coffeyville, has announced that he will not be a candidate for reelection to the commission in this fall's election. If you know anyone who would be interested in filing as a candidate in District 9, please let KGSC Administrator Kevin Lickteig know.

KGSC Gets Seats on US Grains Council Teams
The Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission will be well represented on three US Grains Council Advisory teams. Several Council members were recently advised of their appointment to the Advisory Teams following the Board of Directors meeting in Washington Sept. 16.

Jay Zimmerman, SC Kansas Commissioner was appointed to the Asia Programs Advisory Team.

Greg Graff, West Central KS Commissioner was appointed to the Rest of the World (ROW) Programs Advisory Team.

Kevin Lickteig, KGSC Administrator was appointed to the Membership and Communications Programs Advisory Team.

Kansas Ag Statistics Lowers Sorghum Production Estimate
Sorghum grain production is forecast at 133.3 million bushels, down 10 percent from last year. Yields are expected to average 43 bushels per acre, unchanged from last month but down 5 bushels from last year's yield. Acreage for harvest as grain is 3.10 million acres, down 100,000 acres from September 1. We're still hopeful our 2003 harvest will beat the predictions. What do you think?

Is the Energy Bill Stalled??
Headlines today indicated that the Energy Bill in the conference committee may not be completed until early 2004. That word coming out of Senate Energy Committee Chairman Pete Domenici's office. But don't give up hope! But many Washington observers think that the Senator's threats of a stall were made to get the House side of the committee move toward compromise. President Bush said again this week that he expects Congress to send him an energy bill he can sign this fall.

"There is the possibility if the House adjourns at the end of October that the conference may be pushed back until January," said Domenici's spokeswoman, Marnie Funk. However, a spokesman for House Energy and Commerce Chairman Billy Tauzin (R., La.) said House conferees see no reason for such a delay. "We still expect to complete our work next week," a Tauzin spokesman said.

What wasn't widely reported is that later on Thursday, Domenici's office issued a statement that he would like to hold a meeting to finish the bill next week and that he was "working toward that objective." The statement released by the Senate Energy Committee said Domenici still planned to try to convene all energy conferees for a final meeting and vote on a conference report the week of Oct. 13.

The most contentious energy bill issues include differences over electricity grid rules, ethanol language, MTBE provisions, energy tax credits, subsidies for an Alaskan natural gas pipeline, and drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR).

Maize E85/E10 Station Grand Opening Set for October 21
Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius will participate in the grand opening celebration of the E85 pump at the Maize Kwik Shop on October 21. The governor will be at the event at 1:30. KGSPA staff have been helping with publicizing the availability of ethanol fuel at this new location. The Kansas Corn Commission, along with ICM, Inc; and National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition provided funding to establish the E85 pump at the station.

Ag Innovation Center at KSU
The Kansas Department of Commerce, Agriculture Marketing Division, announced $1 million in funding from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA.) With the funding, the Kansas Department of Commerce will establish the Kansas Agricultural Innovation Center to assist Kansas farmers and ranchers with their value-added efforts. The funding award from the USDA was a culmination of successful planning by Commerce and its partners in the new center. The partnership includes lead elements from Kansas State University and Pittsburg State University, along with the 21st Century Producers, Inc.. With the guidance and support of leading farm and commodity organizations, this group will form the nucleus of the new Center. The Center's primary responsibility will be to provide vital, timely assistance to producer groups and organizations that wish to pursue value-added ventures based on Kansas agricultural products. The Center's focus will be to maximize the resources in the state to enable greater success and sustainability of value-added ventures, and to impact the broad base of Kansas agriculture by innovative application of existing knowledge and research.

KGSPA worked with the Kansas Department of Commerce to receive funding to establish the center. The association will be represented on the board of the center. Original partners in the project will meet soon and form the board.

Statewide Economic Revitalization Plan Unveiled
Last week, Governor Kathleen Sebelius and Lt. Governor/Commerce Secretary John Moore made public the details of a Statewide Economic Revitalization Plan designed to stimulate and strengthen the Kansas economy. They unveiled the plan to an audience of approximately 500 business, education, and community leaders from throughout the state gathered in Wichita for the 2003 Kansas Prosperity Summit. Of interest to sorghum producers were the plans for energy policy and value added agriculture.

Energy Policy: Develop a balanced renewable energy plan for Kansas, which includes ethanol, biodiesel, biomass, wind, methane, oil and gas, energy efficiency, conservation, and utility or energy delivery. Concern was expressed that other states offer more attractive incentive programs to ethanol producers.

Value-Added Agriculture: Develop and expand the State's value-added focus to include agri-tourism, ag-based energy, dairy production and processing, plant and animal biosciences, rural entrepreneurial investments, and continued value-added processing.
 

Friday, September 26, 2003

Mr. Bindel Goes to Washington
Kansas grain sorghum producer Leo Bindel of Sabetha testified Wednesday at a hearing of the House Agriculture Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management chaired by Kansas Representative Jerry Moran. Bindel told the subcommittee that grain sorghum growers deserve a fair shake from the crop insurance program. Bindel testified on behalf of the National Sorghum Producers and its affiliate states. Leo was back at work at his Sabetha farm today and said he thought the hearing went well. "I really think they'll end up doing some things to improve crop insurance and help sorghum growers," he said. Bindel told the subcommittee that current crop insurance products discourage the planting of grain sorghum in areas where it makes sense to plant the crop. "A level crop insurance playing field is needed so that crop insurance will stop distorting planting decisions," Bindel said.

See the news release and copy of the testimony

Bill Greving Returns from Mexico Mission
Bill Greving returned from a US Grains Council Sorghum Mission to Mexico recently. He said it was a productive trip. One of the strengths of the group was its diversity, he said. Producers were on hand to answer questions about production, and others more familiar with food sorghum and marketing were able to field questions in those areas.

According to the US Grains Council, U.S. sorghum exports to Mexico remain strong but additional markets need to be found, reported Council members participating in the sorghum mission to Guadalajara, Mexico City and Veracruz, Sept. 7-13. Sorghum prices are anticipated to fall in Mexico when corn exports to the country become unrestricted under the North American Free Trade Agreement in 2008. As a result, the Council and its member organizations have been eyeing other potential markets for the grain, such as the Dominican Republic and the South American region. But for now, Mexico remains the largest market for U.S. sorghum.

On the Mexico mission, Council members and staff identified key issues related to sorghum exports to Mexico that need to be addressed, such as upgrading Mexican producers' knowledge of proper grain sampling and testing. Mexican producers and traders also expressed a desire for U.S. sorghum exports to be transported in larger train car units. Other Council members on the mission included Wayne Cleveland with the Texas Grain Sorghum Producers, Tim Snyder of the National Sorghum Producers and Ken Herz of the Nebraska Grain Sorghum Board. The team visited feed millers and met with poultry and swine industry representatives.

State Fair Grain Sorghum Best of Show Sorghum Winner
Jason Regier of Inman won the Best of Show Sorghum in Heads competition at the Kansas State Fair. KGSPA rewarded Regier with a 3-year association membership, $25 E10 Unleaded gift certificate and an engraved plaque.

E85 Now Available at Maize Kwik Shop!
The E-85 pump is finally on at the Kwik Shop at 53rd & Maize in Wichita, and we've heard that the station has sold over 2,000 gallons of E85 fuel in the first two weeks of operation. Greg Krissek was one of their first customers, and he filled up his Sebring at a price of $1.39/gallon. He even received an discount of 2 cents per gallon when he used his Dillon's Card.

Conference Committee Is Making Progress on Energy Bill
Republican conference managers hope to complete the writing of their discussion draft on the omnibus energy bill by the end of the week. It still looks good for the Renewable Fuels Standard, but there are a lot of sticking points, like Arctic oil drilling and the electricity title.

Ag Alliance Prepares for State Legislative Session
Jere White attended a meeting of the Kansas Ag Alliance yesterday in Manhattan. The Alliance is made up of several agricultural groups who work together on many issues while the Kansas Legislature is in session.

Few Kansas Counties Ask for Drought Disaster Designation--Yet
FYI--of the 105 Kansas counties, only 18 counties have applied for disaster designations and will be considered at the state FSA's October meeting. They are: Allen, Atchison, Coffey, Decatur, Doniphan, Finney, Geary, Graham, Grant, Leavenworth, Marshall, Riley, Rooks, Scott, Sheridan, Trego, Washington, Wyandotte. One county, Morton, has already sought and received disaster designation.

In 2002, 40 Kansas counties had requested and received federal disaster designations by mid-August-18 continguous counties were also included raising the number to 58.

How it works is that County FSA Committees make requests to the State FSA and when they are approved by the state FSA, the requests are approved by the Governor and forwarded on to USDA for consideration. This basically makes the counties eligible for low interest loans through USDA, which may not amount to that much. However, it does send a message to Washington about what parts of the country have been affected by drought.

According to media reports, one-third of all U.S. counties have received agricultural disaster designations from USDA so far this year--some of those areas received designations because of storms, hail or flooding. Several states have requested drought disaster designations for their counties, including Minnesota. Minnesota is seeking drought disaster declarations in at least 62 of the state's 87 counties after the state's corn yield projection dropped to 151 bushels per acre compared to 157 last year. At 151 bushels per acre, Minnesota will have the third highest yield in the Corn Belt. However, their soybean yield slipped to 37 bushels per acre. Kansas soybean yields are projected at 20 bushels per acre.
 

Friday, September 12, 2003

Sorghum Production Estimates Get Uglier
We hope they're wrong, but Ag Statistics released its September Crop Production Estimates on Thursday. Here are the highlights for grain sorghum:
 

Kansas grain sorghum yield is estimated at 43 bushels per acre, down from Aug. 1 prediction of 49 bushels per acre.

Kansas production: 137.6 million bushels down 17 percent from Aug. 1 prediction of 166.6 million bushels. Last year, we produced 135 million bushels.
 

This would make us the second largest sorghum producer in the US for the first time in several years--Texas is predicted to harvest 143.1 million bushels.
 

Total US Sorghum production 410.1 million bushels. Average US Yield: 51 bushels per acre.
·
Kansas Ranked 5th in Agricultural Exports
We got so caught up in the September production estimates, that we almost missed the second half of the report: Agricultural Exports. The next time someone tells you exports aren't important to Kansas, ask them to consider these facts:
 

Kansas rose to 5th place as an exporter of agricultural products during fiscal year (FY) 2002.
 

The total value of Kansas ag exports is over $3.0 billion.
 

Kansas accounted for 5.6 percent of the $53.3 billion U.S. agricultural exports in FY 2002.
· Kansas was ranked in 1st place for Wheat & Products ($695 million) and Feeds & Fodders ($520 million).
 

Kansas ranking 2nd nationally for Live Animals & Meat ($748 million), Hides & Skins ($323 million), and Animal Fats ($85 million).
 

Other top ten rankings for Kansas were Feed Grains & Products (5th place with $519.5 million); Sunflower Seed & Oil (3rd place with $25.0 million) and Soybeans & Products (10th place with $221.4 million).

KSU Announces Sorghum Improvement Center
We received a news release from KSU Wednesday announcing the creation of the KSU Center of Excellence for Sorghum Improvement. The news release is attached. It gives an overview of the purpose of the center and credits the major players-KSU, Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission; NGSP and KGSPA. George Ham gave an update on progress of the center at the KGSC meeting in late August.

Thanks for Helping at the State Fair!
Leo and Lois Bindel and Earl Roemer helped with Agriland at the Kansas State Fair's opening day last Friday. We really appreciate their help. It's important to have growers in Agriland to talk to the kids and adults who come through! The state fair wraps up on Sunday. If you're at the fair, feel free to stop by and help out. Agriland is located in the Pride of Kansas building.

Sorghum Mission Takes Bill Greving to Mexico
Bill Greving is in Mexico on a US Grains Council Sorghum Mission. We expect him back this weekend and hope to hear a full report on his trip.

Conference Committee Continues Work on Energy Bill
The push continues to pass an Energy Bill with the 5 billion gallon Renewable Fuels Standard. The House named the following Republican conferees from the Energy and Commerce Committee: Chairman Billy Tauzin (La.), Michael Bilirakis (Fla.), Joe Barton (Texas), Fred Upton (Mich.), Cliff Stearns (Fla.), Paul Gillmor (Ohio) and John Shimkus (Ill.). Five Democrats from the committee were also named: Dingell, Henry Waxman (Calif.), Ed Markey (Mass.), Rick Boucher (Va.) and Bobby Rush (Ill.). Senate energy conferees have been also been named. The Democrat conferees are: Bingaman, Baucus, Dorgan, Graham, Wyden and Johnson. The Republican conferees are: Domenici, Nickles, Craig, Campbell, Thomas, Grassley and Lott.

Republican leaders are accelerating comprehensive energy bill work by delegating most of the policymaking to the staff level and setting a goal for a final report emerging from conference by Oct. 1, and final House and Senate floor votes on the measure shortly afterwards, Senate energy committee staff director Alex Flint said. The RFS is a Tier One issue, but the issues of renewable fuel liability and the phase out of MTBE are still sticking points. Other sticky topics are differing ideas on the electricity title, and Arctic oil exploration.

Phillipsburg Looking at Ethanol Plant
Phillipsburg is now the location of a potential ethanol plant. They hosted their first meeting last Thursday, with many experts in attendance. BBI, ICM, Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission, National Sorghum Producers, Kansas Corn Commission and others fielded questions from the 200+ audience. The group's BBI feasibility study came back at the low-end of the excellent category. The main concern now is the four ethanol plants situated within 100 miles of Phillipsburg.

Construction of Western Plains Energy Plant Moving Ahead
Western Plains Energy LLC, which is building a plant at Campus, is doing a great job of keeping people informed of their progress. A visit to their web site reveals current pictures of the construction process. The pictures show that construction is moving along very well with many of the structures already built. You can see for yourself at http://westernplainsenergy.biz

Friday, August 29, 2003

Heat Dome Collapses Bringing Cool Air and Rain for Some
Cooler temperatures and rain may not turn around our sorghum crop, but it might make us feel a little better. The cool front that hit the state last night brought over 6 inches of rain to some areas near Garnett. For our part of the state, this rain was a welcome relief from nearly two months of near zero precipitation and did a lot to help the farm ponds and may have provided some limited help to some of the sorghum and soybean fields. We hope your weather outlook is improving as well. However, we know nearly all of our producers are suffering from the effects of the drought, which has enveloped the entire state. Help us help you by giving us an update on the crop conditions on your farm, and in your area. This is information we need to share with our Representatives and Senators. Call or e-mail Sue Schulte at 800-489-2676.

Drought Update
I know you don't need to look at a map to know you're in a drought. This week's Drought Monitor painted an ugly picture of Kansas-I've attached the drought map to the e-mail version of this leader update. Areas in central and south-central Kansas, and northeast Kansas are classified in Extreme Drought while the rest of the state is classified in Severe Drought. Here's what they have to say about weather situation in the plains:

The Plains: The above normal temperatures that have persisted in the Rockies and northern half of the High Plains since July pushed eastward and intensified, exacerbating abnormally dry conditions across much of the Plains. Although scattered showers and thunderstorms fell on central Kansas and eastern parts of Oklahoma, Nebraska, and Dakotas, they were generally under an inch, and were offset by highs in the 90's and 100's. Similar to the Midwest, crop and topsoil conditions have declined over the past 4 weeks. Percent of corn/soybeans rated very poor and poor has risen, particularly in Nebraska and Kansas, from 11/12 and 31/11 to 31/39 and 55/59, respectively, while Kansas sorghum went from 25% to 61%, according to the NASS/USDA. Additionally, percent of topsoil moisture rated very short (week ending Aug. 24) included Montana (75%), Kansas (64%), Oklahoma (48%), Nebraska (47%), and Colorado (43%). Streamflows continued to drop, with 38% (Kansas) and 28% (Nebraska) of USGS-monitored rivers in the lower tenth percentile for the 7-day period of August 20-26. Accordingly, a general 1-category drought increase was made to most of Kansas, eastern Colorado, northern and southern Oklahoma, central Nebraska and South Dakota, southwestern North Dakota, and eastern Montana.

Roberts Addresses Drought and RFS on Radio Program
Senator Pat Roberts was on WIBW's 6 a.m. Ag Issues program this morning. He said that he has seen the drought conditions across the state and said that he and Rep. Jerry Moran have discussed what should be done to help producers. He talked about last year's disaster assistance program and the fact that the Bush administration insisted that its cost be offset with spending reductions in the farm bill. He also mentioned that there are a lot of farmers who have not yet received payments from last year's disaster assistance program. He said that last year they were able to tap into the conservation program because it wasn't set yet. This year, there would be a much greater challenge to find any offsets in the farm bill, he said.

RFS--Roberts said that the Eastern blackout would make the Energy Bill a front burner issue when lawmakers return to Washington DC. He talked about some of the more contentious issues like the arctic oil exploration issue. He said he thought the conference committee would try to skirt the tough issues, and would be more focused to address electricity, and would include the Renewable Fuels Standard.

Spend a Day at the State Fair!
See the enclosed flyer that encourages your participation in Agriland at the Kansas State Fair! Our workdays are Friday, September 5 and Sunday, September 14-the first and last days of the fair.

Basin Advisory Committee Meetings
Enclosed is a news release and schedule of upcoming BAC meetings

E85 Station Update
E-85-85% percent ethanol fuel finally is becoming more available in Kansas. The Topeka Travel Plaza in Topeka was the only E85 fueling site for several years, but now, more fueling sites are opening.

Maize Kwik Shop: Pumps were installed last week and this Wichita area station will open after it completes testing and receives approval from Kansas Weights & Measures. A grand opening event will be held sometime during the State Fair.

Garnett E85: A fuel retailer in Garnett has installed an E85 tank and should be operating the week after Labor Day. The station will also offer E10 unleaded.

KSU Motor Pool: An E-85 tank will be delivered to the KSU Motor Pool on Monday to provide ethanol for their flexible fuel vehicles.

Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission Meets
The Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission elected officers at its meeting on Wednesday in Hays. Jeff Casten was reelected chairman and Greg Graff was reelected vice chairman. Bill Greving was elected to his first term as secretary/treasurer, replacing Stanley Schmitz who plans to retire from the commission.

Hays and Russell Field Days Well Attended
Kevin Lickteig reports the Hays Experiment Station field day on Tuesday was very well attended with around 100 people. The field day focused mainly on forage sorghum. The Russell, Ellis County field day on Wednesday focused on white milo and food grade sorghum and a tour of the US Energy Partners ethanol plant. Kevin said there were between 75 and 100 people at that event as well.

Environmental and Water Quality Meetings
Jessica Baetz attended the Kansas Environmental Conference, a two-day event at Wichita. She also attended a water quality field day at Eureka on Thursday. She said the event featured many common sense approaches that farmers could use to protect water quality.

Membership Offer Ends-for now
The current seed / chemical for membership program expires on August 31. A new program should be available to begin in October 2003.

Loos to Speak at Ag in the Classroom Annual Meeting
Trent Loos, a farmer who also is a radio commentator and print columnist will speak at the Kansas Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom Annual Meeting on November 17 at Manhattan. Loos is an entertaining speaker and a true advocate for family farmers. His columns appear in High Plains Journal.

Friday, August 15, 2003

USDA Predicts 23% Increase in Kansas Sorghum Production
In the spring, the growers were full of optimism as timely and plentiful rains signaled a possible end to a drought that had affected some parts of the state for over three years. Then at the end of June, the moisture ended, completely for many areas. As a result, our crop conditions are only slightly better than what they were last year. The USDA's August Crop Production Estimates also show that our crops are only slightly better than last year. The estimates peg the 2003 sorghum crop at 166.6 million bushels, up 31.6 million bushels from last year. Our average yield is forecast to be 49 bushels per acre, up from 45 bushels per acre last year. We're also predicted to harvest more sorghum acres this year at 3.4 million acres, up from 3 million acres last year.
Crop condition for the first week of August for Kansas sorghum is also just slightly better than last year. This year 50 percent of the sorghum crop is now rated fair to good, compared to 44 percent last year.

Here's a look at the Kansas sorghum yields for the past 10 years.

Year Yield
1994... 77
1995... 56
1996... 77
1997... 78
1998... 80
1999... 76
2000... 59
2001... 62
2002... 45
2003... 49 (projected)

Growers Return from NGSP Summer Meeting
Representing KGSC at the NGSP summer meeting at Lubbock were: Jeff Casten, Jay Zimmerman and Bill Greving. KGSC Administrator Kevin Lickteig also attended. Representing KGSPA were Leo Bindel and Jeff Filinger. KGSPA Executive Director Jere White also attended.

Kansans to Participate in USGC Sorghum Mission
Grain Sorghum Commissioner Bill Greving and Carrie Williams a buyer for AgMark LLC at Beloit will participate in the US Grains Council Sorghum Mission to Mexico on September 7 through 13.

KGSPA Board to Meet Tuesday
The KGSPA Board of Directors will meet at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the Best Western Hotel at McPherson. The meeting will be in Conference Room 106.

KGSC to Meet Aug. 27
The Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission will meet at the Hays KSU Extension Research facility beginning at 8 a.m., Wednesday, August 27. The meeting is set to coincide with the Hays Research Fall Field Day at the research facility on Tuesday, Aug. 26. Field Day registration begins at 3 p.m.; program at 3:30; meal at 5:00; field tours following the meal. Following the commission meeting on the 27th, those who are interested can participate in the Russell County Extension activities that include a tour of the Russell Ethanol plant and a tour of a white sorghum plot.

State Fair Just Around the Corner!
Jessica spent a day at the Kansas State Fair helping to prepare Agriland in the Pride of Kansas Building. Agriland is the huge, interactive educational exhibit at the state fair. We work with several other commodity groups on this successful project. Once again, we're hoping you will help us by working for a short time in Agriland. The kids (and adults) who go through Agriland really benefit from having real growers in the area to answer questions and give out information. Our workdays this year are Friday, September 5 and Sunday, September 14-the first and last days of the fair. We have some hotel rooms available for those who are interested in helping out. Just call Jessica Baetz at the KGSPA office and she'll give you more information-800-489-2676.

Conservation Security Program Could Start in 2004
Bruce Knight, chief of USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service, is hinting that the agency is about to release proposed rules for the long-awaited Conservation Security Program, reports Successful Farming. Knight was quoted as saying, "I am the most optimistic that I've been on CSP." The program, hailed by growers as an innovative program to reward good stewards of the land, was supposed to start last February. Knight says its progress has been hindered by a heavy workload at NRCS. It has also been a political football, with the House of Representatives trying to cut its funds. Still, Knight says, "We remain on a timeline that it's very reasonable to assume we could have CSP operational for 2004."

USGC Says Exports to Spain Could Increase
Unused export quotas to Spain and Portugal over the last three years means there is an opportunity to export over 600,000 metric tons of U.S. sorghum to the Iberian Peninsula. In recent weeks, the country has purchased at least 69,000 metric tons of U.S. sorghum, according to Gary McKinney, manager of international operations for the U.S. Grains Council.

Free Seed/Chemical Membership Deal Ends Aug. 31
KGPSA's Free Seed or Chemical membership offer ends on Aug. 31. Jessica is working on a similar incentive for new and renewing members for the next membership drive, which will begin in October.

Friday, August 1, 2003

Energy Bill with RFS Passes Senate
The Senate surprised us by passing its version of the Energy Bill last night 84-14. Prospects were looking bleak for passage of the energy bill before the Senate's summer recess, because a large number of amendments had been introduced that threatened to bog down the bill. Then last night, leaders agreed to vote on last year's bill. The bill passed easily and will now go on to a House/Senate conference committee that will negotiate differences between the House and Senate versions of the bill. We are in a much stronger position this year. Last year, only the Senate included RFS in the energy bill, and the bill fizzled in the conference committee. This year, both chambers included RFS and President Bush has made passage of the Energy Bill a priority. See attached news release.

US Grains Council Trade Team Visits Kansas
A trade team with grain buyers and growers from the countries of Egypt, Morocco, Cyprus, Tunisia and Algeria visited the USDA GIPSA (Grain Inspection, Stockers and Packers Administration) labs in Kansas City and then visited the Guetterman Brothers farms at Bucyrus on Thursday. The group also visited a dairy heifer feeding facility operated by Mackey Dairy near Bucyrus. KGSPA staffer Sue Schulte and Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission Administrator Kevin Lickteig escorted the group throughout day. Jere White had dinner with two members of the trade team in Kansas City on Thursday night. The two trade team members had hosted Jere on a US Grains Council trip last year.

KGSPA Scholarship Winner Selected
Chris Pachta, KSU agriculture major, has been selected by the scholarship committee to receive the $250 KGSPA scholarship. Chris is from Linn, KS. He has been working as a summer intern for ServiTech in Aurora, and during the school year is an assistant to Dr. Gerry Posler in the KSU Agronomy Department. Chris is no stranger to KGSPA. As the winner of the National Sorghum Foundation scholarship, Chris traveled to Washington, DC early this year for the President's Fly-In. He is working toward a dual major in agronomy and education. After graduation, he hopes to find a job near his family farm with future plans of taking over the farming operation either on his own or in partnership with a brother, after his parents retire. We'll be notifying Chris next week. Thanks to the members of the scholarship committee for their time in reviewing the applicants!

KGSC and KGSPA Meeting Dates Set
The KGSPA Board will meet Aug. 19 at McPherson. Details to follow next week.

The Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission will meet at the Hays KSU Extension Research facility beginning at 8 a.m., Wednesday, August 27. The meeting is set to coincide with the Hays Research Fall Field Day at the research facility on Tuesday, Aug. 26. Field Day registration begins at 3 p.m.; program at 3:30; meal at 5:00; field tours following the meal. More info later.

E85 Station Opening in Wichita Area
A new KwikShop opening in Maize will carry both E10 Unleaded and E85 (85% ethanol) fuel. The station's E85 pump was funded by cooperative effort between the National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition, Kansas Corn Commission and ICM, Inc., a Colwich-based ethanol plant developer.

US Grains Council
Grain Sorghum Commissioner Jay Zimmerman and KGSC Administrator Kevin Lickteig attended the US Grains Council meeting in Minneapolis last week. A Kansas grower, Terry Vinduska of Marion, was a candidate for a seat on the Council's board of directors, but unfortunately was not elected to the board. Terry, a member of the Kansas Corn Commission, has been active in the Grains Council for several years and would have brought plenty of experience, both from the corn and sorghum growers perspective, to the board.

Cargill Speaker's Remarks Anger Many At USGC Meeting
Speaking at the US Grains Council meeting, Gregory Page, President and Chief Operating Officer of Cargill, spoke out against the Renewable Fuels Standard and US farm programs, irritating many in the crowd. He said the farm program artificially inflates food costs, hurts our ability to trade on the world market and hurts poor people in developing countries.
Some excerpts:
"Higher prices are not a permanent path to higher farm income. Why? Because all farmers respond to higher prices. They bid up the cost of land and other capital inputs, so that one-day's higher price becomes the next day's higher cost."

"As price guarantees impact the fixed-cost structure for farming in the United States, another unintended consequence is that they risk making us less competitive against farmers in other countries. Will our farm economy, like that in Europe, become perpetually dependent on price and income supports to maintain a high-value land base? Or, will ways be found to restructure U.S. policies so that farm asset values will more closely reflect the market income that can be earned from farming in a global marketplace? If we don't get the answers to these questions right, we will be facing rural economic problems and even greater loss, if those land values ultimately deflate."

"Now Congress is debating an energy bill with a Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) that, basically, will require 2 billion bushels of corn - about 20 percent of the crop - to be converted to motor fuel use. This is turning food into fuel on a large scale. There are many intended consequences - greater energy independence, environmental gains and stronger prices for the U.S. corn earmarked for this mandate. Are there any unintended consequences? Most certainly. Because I have spent most of my Cargill career in our poultry, pork and beef businesses, the ones I worry about hit all of us through the livestock sector. What happens when we have a drought and a billion-bushel supply shortfall here at home? All corn markets would be pressured, but the largest market would be pressured the most. The U.S. livestock industry, which consumes more than half the corn crop, would face a radical cutback in U.S. animal numbers - like the 25 percent reduction in U.S. feed use we suffered in the early 1970s. That not only devastated the livestock industry; it also brought on export controls and limits that still hurt America's reputation as a reliable supplier. We do not want to face that again!"

A full copy of the speech is available at the US Grains Council site at www.grains.org.

State Fair Just Around the Corner!
Once again, we are participating in Agriland, the huge, interactive educational exhibit at the state fair. We work with several other commodity groups on this successful project. And once again, we're hoping you will help us by working for a short time in Agriland. The kids (and adults) who go through Agriland really benefit from having real growers in the area to answer questions and give out information. Our work days this year are Friday, September 5 and Sunday, September 12-the first and last days of the fair. We have some hotel rooms available for those who are interested in helping out. Just call Jessica Baetz at the KGSPA office and she'll give you more information-800-489-2676.

Friday, July 18, 2003

House Approves Sorghum Research Projects
On Monday, the House of Representatives passed the FY04 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies appropriation bill (H R 2673, Report 108-193). The vote was 347 to 64.

The bill includes funding for two new sorghum ARS projects; $300,000 for cold tolerance research at the Lubbock, Texas ARS lab and $400,000 for utilization research at the Manhattan, Kansas ARS lab to be shared with Nebraska, Wisconsin, Massachusetts, Georgia and Texas.

Brownback Announces Appropriations Funding that Includes Grain Sorghum
Sen. Sam Brownback, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee announced funding for Kansas projects included in the FY '04 Agriculture Appropriations Bill. "I am pleased to announce funding for important Kansas priorities through the Agriculture Appropriations bill," Brownback said. "This funding will be a big help to farmers and ranchers across Kansas." I want to thank Sen. Pat Roberts for his outstanding work as a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee." Brownback requested and advocated for the following appropriations and voted for the legislation in Thursday's mark-up in the full Senate Appropriations Committee. The bill next goes to the Senate floor.

Several components included in the bill could benefit grain sorghum growers including:
· Blackbird Damage Control Program, $225,000 - Kansas agricultural producers suffer substantial losses annually due to the winter migration of blackbirds and European starlings. The Kansas Wildlife Services Program-which is responsible for migratory bird damage-is the lowest funded of any such state agency in the western region. Indeed, farmers must currently pay 100 percent of the operational costs of any bird control efforts. The Kansas program operates as a subsidiary of the corresponding Nebraska program. This funding would establish a Kansas Wildlife Services State Office.

· Grain Sorghum Research, $139,000, KSU - This project is designed to increase the yield potential of sorghum by selecting genotypes that exhibit variability in the duration and/or rate of grain filling periods. Research has demonstrated that plants with longer grain fill duration periods produce grain with substantially higher seed weight and grain quality.

· Grain Sorghum Research, $646, 317

· Water Conservation Research, $79,000, Kansas State University (KSU) - This project is designed to study the High Plains (Ogallala) Aquifer in western Kansas and the central Great Plains and to disseminate technical and economic information on the efficient use of its water.

· Ogallala Aquifer Research, $950,000, KSU (and Texas A&M)

KGSPA Sends Letter Supporting White Sorghum in Food Aid
KGSPA, working with NGSP, sent a letter this week to Senator Sam Brownback asking him to include language in the FY 04 Agriculture Appropriations bill that would clarify that USDA should use white sorghum in its food aid programs. The wording could be offered as a amendment to the ag appropriations bill.

The letter states: "Currently, confusion exists about the difference between white sorghum, which can be used for human consumption and other sorghums, used primarily for purposes other than human consumption, in the USDA and USAID food aid programs. The following report language should clarify that USDA use white sorghum in its food aid program. Our issue is that we need the USDA, when offering a tender, to specify that white sorghum be used for the purpose of filling a food aid request. "The Committee expects USDA to use white sorghum, which is suitable for human consumption, for food aid; including the Public Law 480 Program." The sorghum industry has heard complaints from international buyers looking for white sorghum, especially African and Asian countries, that the sorghum they want, or think they are buying, is not what they are receiving. To ensure delivery of the appropriate grain, the term "white sorghum" must be specified, not just "sorghum." Here is where being more specific in terminology can actually reduce confusion in delivering the proper varieties of grain sorghum for food aid programs. Traditionally, white sorghum is used for food products rather than red sorghum. Grain sorghum originated in Africa and it is a major staple in the diets of millions of people. The white sorghums that the Africans and Asians are accustomed to eating are different than the sorghum that is prevalent in feeding beef and dairy cattle, poultry, hogs and used by the ethanol industry within the US. We are sure it is the intent of P.L. 480 program to send white sorghum to meet the food needs of people overseas that are suffering from hunger…"

Mid-Missouri Energy Makes Last Call
Mid-Missouri Energy, Inc. reports excellent progress that brings them closer to the reality of a farmer-owned ethanol plant at Malta Bend, Missouri. "We are very gratified to have reached over $20 million in equity for our project," said MME President Ryland Utlaut. "In February, we were a group of 15 farmers and now we represent nearly 700 producers who have invested." New investments or additional unit purchases by members can come in until July 29, but that will be it according to Utlaut. "This is the last extension. We cannot extend this offering beyond that date." For more information, visit the MME website at http://www.midmoenergy.com

District 7 Commission Race Needs Candidates
According to KGSC Administrator Kevin Lickteig, Stanley Schmitz, Region 7 representative on KGSC, has announced his plans to retire from the commission at the end of his term in 2004. If you know of anyone who is interested in filing as a candidate for the position, please contact Kevin or the KGSPA office and we can provide the information on filing. Filing deadline for the commodity commissions positions for District 7 (NE); District 8 (EC) and District 9 (SE) are November 30, 2003.

Appeals Court Upholds Ruling Declaring Beef Checkoff Unconstitutional
Last week, the Eight Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals ruled the beef checkoff unconstitutional and calls into question promotional efforts using such funds for sales campaigns such as "Beef, It's What's For Dinner." The 8th Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a 2002 ruling by U.S. District Judge Charles Kornmann of South Dakota that U.S. ranchers cannot be forced to pay a $1-per-head fee on cattle, saying the checkoff program violates the First Amendment rights of cattle ranchers. Three South Dakota ranchers and others sued the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Cattlemen's Beef Promotion and Research Board. They argued ads paid for through the mandatory program promote beef in general and not just U.S. beef. They said they should not be forced to pay for a marketing campaign with which they do not agree. The Agriculture Department argued the campaign is not subject to First Amendment scrutiny. Some opponents of the beef checkoff, like National Farmers Union have stated that they would support a voluntary checkoff system.

More Stations Add E10 Unleaded
Two more stations have added E10 Unleaded. R's Food and Fuel in Stafford, and Gee Oil Service in Saint John now offer E10 Unleaded. Both are in Stafford County. If you're looking for E10 Unleaded stations, check out the E10 Unleaded Directory on the KGSC and KGSPA web sites.

Thursday, July 3, 2003

Happy Independence Day!
We hope you have a great Independence Day weekend. The KGSPA office will be closed to celebrate the 4th on Friday.

June Acreage Report
Kansas Agricultural Statistics released its June Acreage Report this week, and it had some interesting news for sorghum producers. The acreage report tags the 2003 grain sorghum crop at 3.7 million acres, that's down slightly, just 3 percent from 2002. However, acreage intended for harvest as grain is at 3.4 million acres, and that is actually a 13 percent increase from last year. We are looking at higher production figures over last year for a couple of reasons. First, as Ag Statistics reported, it looks like we'll be harvesting more sorghum for grain. Second, our weather conditions in most parts of the state are much improved over last year. We're really hoping that we continue to get beneficial rains in Kansas. There are some areas that are missing the rains, but overall, we're in a lot better shape than we were last year. This week's crop progress report shows that sorghum is rated 5 percent excellent, 63 percent good, 31 percent fair and 1 percent poor. Compare that to the same time last year, when we were already 11 percent very poor to poor.

Appropriations Efforts Move Forward
Efforts to improve cold tolerance in grain sorghum and studies to improve end uses for the grain crop will get a boost in funding if recommendations passed this week by the House Appropriations Committee become law. The proposed fiscal year 2004 budget provides $300,000 in new funding for research at the ARS Plant Stress Laboratory at Lubbock, Texas, which would extend growing seasons for sorghum and provide increased profitability for sorghum producers by increasing cold tolerance through collaborative work in Texas, Kansas and Oregon. Additionally, House appropriators recommended $400,000 for work on new end uses for sorghum at the ARS Grain Marketing Research Laboratory at Manhattan, Kansas, which will be coordinated with related research in Nebraska, Wisconsin, Massachusetts, Georgia and Texas. NGSP worked closely with House Ag Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Henry Bonilla (R-TX), former Rep. Larry Combest (R-TX), and Reps., Jerry Moran (R-KS) and Todd Tiahrt (R-KS).

Ethanol Is Keeping California Gas Prices Down
Remember all the California politicians, and their doomsday forecast skyrocketing gas prices if ethanol replaced MTBE. It turns out, ethanol is actually helping keep gas prices lower as the state phases out MTBE. The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) this week highlighted the positive role ethanol plays in keeping down California gasoline prices as the state phases out the water-polluting gasoline additive MTBE. The RFA released California wholesale gasoline market information at a U.S. House Government Reform Subcommittee on Energy Policy, Natural Resources and Regulatory Affairs field hearing on "California Gasoline Markets: From MTBE to Ethanol," held by Congressman Doug Ose in Diamond Bar, California.

"Ethanol-blended gasoline has been consistently less expensive than MTBE-blended gasoline in the California spot (wholesale) market - that's a fact," said Bob Dinneen, RFA president. "Despite the facts, some try to place the blame for high gas prices on ethanol. That math just doesn't add up. Due to California's unique gasoline regulations and lack of adequate in-state refining capacity, California gas prices respond quickly and severely to any unexpected refinery outages. As in years past, we're seeing that scenario play out again this year. It is clear, however, that this recurring price volatility is completely unrelated to the switch to ethanol."
The California Energy Commission (CEC) studied February and March's price volatility and concluded: "This year's increase in gasoline and diesel prices is not unlike similar events that occurred in 1999 and 2001." They also found no evidence faulting ethanol blending, stating: "The early, voluntary phaseout of MTBE by most of California's petroleum industry and the transition to low volatility gasoline do not appear to have been primary causes of the recent high gasoline price divergence in California."

Domenici Sure of Energy Bill Passage By August
In remarks at a recent media event, Senate Energy Chairman Pete Domenici predicted the Senate will complete debate on the energy bill prior to August. "Before the U.S. Senate goes on its August recess, we will have an energy bill," stated Domenici. Debate is scheduled to resume the last week of August. Some observers think a final Senate vote won't occur until September.

Daschle Sure of RFS
In a speech to more than 1200 participants at BBI International's 19th Annual Fuel Ethanol Workshop (FEW) held recently in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, U.S. Senate Democratic Leader Tom Daschle predicted the long fight to enact a renewable fuels standard (RFS) would end in victory during this Congress - with or without an energy bill.

"If it doesn't succeed with the energy bill, we will attach it to other bills. We will pursue it as stand-alone legislation. And, we will do the same with the critically important energy tax provisions-including the extension of the ethanol tax credits-recently passed by the Senate Finance Committee. I can tell you today, the RFS will pass through Congress. This is a bipartisan proposal whose time has come, and I promise to continue working closely with my colleagues and the President to see that my proposal becomes law at the earliest possible date. It is critical that we capitalize on its many dramatic benefits to agriculture, the rural economy, energy security, and the environment."

Pittsburg State University Students Hear About Grains and Beef
Sue Schulte gave a presentation to a technology class at Pittsburg State University last week. She talked to the class about ethanol, pesticides and biotechnology. The class was comprised of students with a wide variety of majors including communications, political science, technology, biology and education. Sue Holbert of the Kansas Beef Council also spoke to the class and focused on food safety and nutrition, and issues like BSE (Mad Cow) and FMD (Foot and Mouth Disease).

Crop Insurance Meeting
Sue Schulte and Kevin Lickteig attended a meeting hosted by Risk Management Agency administrator Ross Davidson in Topeka last week. Several agricultural groups from Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and Colorado were represented. The meeting covered a wide range of RMA programs from basic crop insurance to the livestock programs that are being developed. NGSP has been working closely with RMA to equalize price election and create new programs for grain sorghum.

More Stations Add E10 Unleaded
We just added another station to our ethanol directory. This one, in Rooks County, makes E-10 available at the retail level in 324 stations in 90 counties. If you include on-farm delivery, it is actually available in 91 counties. The new E10 station is Midland Marketing in Plainville.

Friday, June 20, 2003

Welcome Our New Employee-Kristie Zentner
When you call the office, you may hear a new voice. Our new administrative assistant, Kristie Zentner, began her job here on Monday and has been a great help already. She's a great addition to our staff! Did we can Sue Hardman? Sue H. is still with us. The addition of Kristie will allow Sue to focus more on her administrative duties.

Starane Receives Exemption for Use in Grain Sorghum
Kansas growers will now be able to use the herbicide Starane (fluroxypyr) to control kochia in grain sorghum, thanks to a Section 18 exemption granted late last week by the Environmental Protection Agency. EPA approved the request of the Kansas Department of Agriculture for the Section 18 emergency exemption. KGSPA wrote a letter in support of KDA's request. EPA is currently considering full registration of Starane for grain sorghum, and that registration is expected to be completed later this summer. The Section 18 exemption allows growers to use Starane to control kochia in grain sorghum during this year's growing season. KGSPA President Greg Shelor of Minneola was among a group of sorghum growers who met with EPA officials in Washington DC in January. Starane is a broadleaf herbicide currently registered for use in wheat and barley by Dow AgroSciences. The Section 18 exemption is effective from June 12, 2003 through July 30, 2003. KGSPA encourages growers and applicators to read and follow all label directions when applying Starane or any pesticide.

EPA Conducts SAP on Atrazine
KGSPA's Jere White and Bill Kubecka, representing NGSP, testified at an EPA Science Advisory Panel that looked at atrazine and amphibian studies. This relates to a study done by researcher Tyrone Hayes who claims that atrazine causes frogs to have both male and female sex organs. The validity of the studies has been seriously questioned. Thursday, the New York Times reported that EPA scientists said the Hayes studies had merit and had suggested EPA continue to study the effects of atrazine on frogs. However, the NY Times article was inaccurate and took comments of one scientist out of context and ignored the process of the SAP. The SAP was held to hear presentations on the issue, and the scientists on the panel will make a recommendation soon. Jere said the SAP went well for grower interests.

More Junk Science Aims at Atrazine
On June 18, University of Missouri-Columbia (UMC) researcher Shanna Swan published an online study suggesting that men in rural mid-Missouri had lower sperm counts and quality than men in urban areas. Swan attempts to place the blame solely on crop protection products (including alachlor, atrazine and diazinon) for her findings. While many study details are unavailable, we believe the study is significantly flawed. Swan makes an unsubstantiated hypothesis based on flawed research methodology. First, the number of study participants is remarkably low. Only 50 mid-Missouri men took part in the study. By the authors' admission, these results are based on small numbers. Second, differences in semen quality can be due to any number of factors completely unrelated to crop protection products including diet, exercise and stress. It's unclear if these and other factors known to cause sperm count fluctuations were taken into account. It is clear that 34 percent of the mid-Missouri men in the study had one or more risk factors identified by the study. Third, all of the men that participated in the study were partners of pregnant women. It's obvious that semen quality did not interfere with the participants' ability to reproduce. Many facts such as these were simply left out of the press release on study results.

Domenici Sure of Energy Bill Passage By August
Senate leaders have agreed to limit the number of amendments that will be considered for the omnibus energy bill (S 14) when it returns to the floor after the July Fourth recess, an indication the Senate may be able to take final action on the measure this summer. But prolonged debates are expected on issues such as the regulation of wholesale electricity markets, motor vehicle fuel efficiency and air pollution.

After more than a month in which other business repeatedly has bounced the energy bill from the floor - the Senate has resolved only two major outstanding issues: mandates and incentives to increase the use of ethanol fuel, and financial aid for the nuclear power industry. Senate leaders expect to spend the next few weeks paring down a list of 375 anticipated amendments to a more manageable number. "We're in great shape now. We can see daylight," said Pete V. Domenici, R-N.M., chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and the bill's sponsor. "We will have a whole week when we return and that ought to be enough."

SE KAWS Group Moves Ahead with Grants and Farm Bill Programs
Jessica Baetz attended a meeting of the Kansas Alliance of Wetlands and Streams (KAWS) in southeast Kansas. The group is partnering with farm bill programs and they've gotten some grant funding. If interested in this program or to get ideas on how your KAWS group can apply for grants, call Jessica.

More Stations Add E10 Unleaded
We've made additions to our on-line E10 Unleaded directory that can be found on our web sites at www.ksgrains.com. Here are the most recent E10 additions:
Farmway Coop - Card Only, 1200 180 Rd, Belleville
Hale Petroleum, 401 E. Oak Street, Columbus
Elkhart Coop--Rolla Station, Junction 565, Rolla
Mid-Kansas Coop, 321 E. Lincoln, Lindsborg
ADM Collingwood Grain, Inc. 300 North Road 20, Moscow
Rangeland Coop, 250 F. Street, Phillipsburg
ADM Collingwood Grain, Inc., Hwy 56, Kinsley

Bulk Pesticide and Fertilizer Storage and Handling Meetings
The Kansas Department of Agriculture has two remaining meetings to explain new and updated regulations affecting bulk pesticide and fertilizer storage and handling.

July meetings are:
July 15--8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Santa Fe Room, Dodge City Community College student union

July 16--7 p.m. to 9 p.m, Room 209, Neosho County Community College Student Union, Chanute

Agriland Planning
Jessica Baetz attended an Agriland planning meeting this week. If you have any ideas for Agriland at the Kansas State Fair, please give Jessica a call. As you know, Agriland is a large educational exhibit put together by several commodity groups in the Pride of Kansas Building. And here's some good news! The Pride of Kansas building is scheduled to get air conditioning by the 2004 fair!

KGSPA Conference Call Meeting Reminder
KGSPA board members-remember the conference call meeting, Tuesday, June 24 at 7 a.m. Packets have been mailed to board members.

Friday, June 6, 2003

Bindel Meets with Veneman, Roberts and Brownback
KGSPA board member Leo Bindel, Sabetha participated in a roundtable discussion of agricultural issues with US Secretary of Agriculture Ann Veneman and Senators Pat Roberts and Sam Brownback today at the Ag Hall of Fame in Bonner Springs. Secretary Veneman and the Senators were in Bonner Springs to announce incentives that would reward growers for management practices like no-till that promote carbon sequestration on their land. We are awaiting a report from Leo, and will let you know what was discussed soon!

USDA will consider greenhouse gas management practices when evaluating applications for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and the Forest Land Enhancement Program (FLEP). This will include financial incentives, technical assistance, demonstrations, pilot programs, education and capacity building, along with measurements to assess the success of these efforts.

Specifically, USDA will take actions that include recognizing and rewarding practices that reduce greenhouse gases within the EQIP ranking system and promoting carbon sequestration through the FLEP. Vegetative cover that sequesters carbon will be taken into account when land is enrolled in the CRP. This is good news for Kansas growers, many of whom already use no-till practices and many who participate in the CRP and EQIP programs.

BIG NEWS! Senate Passes RFS!! Now Let's Pass the Energy Bill
We're sure you've heard by now that the Senate passed the amendment that includes the Renewable Fuels Standard in the Senate Energy Bill. What does this mean? It means, we've still got a ways to go to get an Energy Bill with RFS. The Senate still has to pass the Energy Bill, and we're hoping that will happen before the July 4 recess. However, the Energy Bill has a lot of components and it's important that we encourage our Senators to work toward quick passage of the Bill. Senator Sam Brownback and Senator Pat Roberts both voted in favor of the RFS amendment.

EKAE Makes Announcement-About Halfway There
East Kansas Agri-Energy met with initial investors following its June 2 target date and announced that they had raised $7 million-about half of the goal of $14 to 18 million. The board established a new target date of September 1, 2003. EKAE would like to have the equity drive completed at that time so that construction of the plant can begin this year. EKAE reports that to date membership in the company is 61% farmer owned, and said it hopes to keep farmer participation at that level.

KGSPA Scholarship Is Available
The Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association will award one $250 scholarship to a junior or senior enrolled in the College of Agriculture at Kansas State University. Undergraduate students in the College of Agriculture at Kansas State University who will be enrolled as a junior or senior in the 2003-2004 school year are eligible for the scholarship. Preference will be given to children of Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association members. Applicants should have good academic standing, be good school and community citizens and have a strong desire to continue their education and pursue a career in agriculture. An application for the KGSPA Scholarship is available on-line at www.ksgrains.com/sorghum, or by calling 800-489-2676. The KGSPA Scholarship application is due no later than June 30, 2003. No late applications will be accepted.

E10 In Southwest Kansas Is Growing
We were at an E10 Unleaded with ethanol rally in Sublette at the Sublette Coop last Tuesday. E10 Unleaded is now available at two locations in Sublette---Coop and ADM-Collingwood.

Other SW Kansas stations are also adding E10 unleaded-most recent additions are Rolla and Moscow. Lindsborg, while not in SW Kansas, also has an E10 station.

It's County Fair Time!
For the past few years, we've entered an E85 vehicle with signage in several county fair parades across the state. If you'd like us to come to your county fair, please contact the office 800-489-2676. We haven't had much feedback yet. Please let us know soon!

Bulk Pesticide and Fertilizer Storage and Handling Meetings
The Kansas Department of Agriculture will conduct meetings in June and July to explain new and updated regulations affecting bulk pesticide and fertilizer storage and handling
The meetings will be in:
Colby, June 10--8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in the 4-H Building, Colby County Fairgrounds

Salina, June 11--8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Kansas Highway Patrol Training Academy

Dodge City, July 15--8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in the Santa Fe Room at the Dodge City Community College student union

Chanute, July 16--7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in room 209 of the Neosho County Community College student union

KGSPA Conference Call Meeting Reminder
KGSPA board members-remember the conference call meeting, Tuesday, June 24 at 7 a.m. Packets have been mailed to board members.

Friday, May 23, 2003

It's County Fair Time!
For the past few years, we've entered an E85 vehicle with signage in several county fair parades across the state. If you'd like us to come to your county fair, please contact the office 800-489-2676.

RFS In the Senate
Debate on the Renewable Fuels Standard on the Senate floor should begin after Memorial Day weekend. There are a lot of positives for RFS. It was offered as the first amendment to the Senate Energy Bill. This means the RFS has a high priority. RFS also has bipartisan backing. Will it be passed easily? Probably not. Ethanol opponents California Senator Dianne Feinstein, New York Senator Hillary Clinton and others are expected to offer several amendments to derail RFS. Our message to the Senate is to pass the RFS and to vote against all amendments that would weaken or eliminate RFS.

The House has already passed the RFS in its version of the Energy Bill. Once the Senate passes its version of the Energy Bill it will go to conference committee to hammer out the differences. In the House, Representatives Moran, Tiahrt and Ryun voted for the comprehensive energy bill with RFS. Third District Representative Dennis Moore voted against the bill. He said he supported the RFS provision in the House Energy Bill, but had misgivings about how the bill was to be funded. "This bill takes a balanced approach to meeting our nation's energy security needs. But, it fails to pay for any of these proposals, which have a cost of $18.8 billion," Rep. Moore said. Moore also pointed out that he is the only Kansas member of the House Biofuels Caucus. He serves as a co-chair on the caucus.

Monday's Crop Report-reporting period ended May 16:
Sorghum Planted: 15%, last week: 10%; last year 20%

Subsoil moisture:
This week--State 13% very short 29% short 50% adequate 8% surplus
Last week--State 16% very short 32% short 51% adequate 1% surplus

Problem areas:
This week--SW 55% very short 26% short 13% adequate 6% surplus
Last week--SW 67% very short 29% short 4% adequate 0% surplus

This week--WC 18% very short 50% short 31% adequate 1% surplus
Last week--WC 15% very short 63% short 22% adequate 0% surplus

This Week-NW 21% very short 46% short 33% adequate 0% surplus
Last Week-NW 27% very short 53% short 20% adequate 0% surplus

This Week-NC 16% very short 60% short 24% adequate 0% surplus
Last Week-NC 21% very short 44% short 35% adequate 0% surplus

High Plains Is Now Abengoa
About a year ago, High Plains Corporation was purchased by Abengoa. High Plains owned the ethanol plant in Colwich. As of April 15, High Plains changed its name to Abengoa Bioenergy Corporation. The corporate headquarters has moved from Wichita to St. Louis. The company announced a major research and development subsidiary that received a US Dept. of Energy Grant to fund half of a $35.4 million research project to develop new and improved biomass-derived process technologies. "We plan to create a technology to increase the energy efficiency of ethanol production, plus increase our output per bushel," the news release stated.

Atrazine IRED Meeting
Jessica Baetz and Sue Schulte attended a briefing regarding the Atrazine Risk Reduction Program. Meeting participants learned details of the new IRED agreement between EPA and the registrants of atrazine. The IRED establishes a watershed-based monitoring system that is supported by KGSPA and the Triazine Network. Syngenta Crop Protection conducted the briefing and outlined what the IRED would mean to Kansas producers. Kansas has been a leader in water quality efforts to keep atrazine out of surface water. The program will be active in Kansas, but there won't be a significant change in how growers use the product.

Kansas Technical Committee
Jessica Baetz recently attended a Kansas Technical Committee meeting with NRCS and FSA. They are continuing to work out the details of the new programs in the new Farm Bill.

KS/NE Blue River Compact
Atrazine education projects and grants were the focus of the Kansas - Nebraska Blue River Compact Water Quality Committee. Jessica Baetz attended the meeting.

Education Efforts Reach Kids
The Kansas Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom reports that they will have given presentations at 29 schools by the end of this school year. "We have reached 180 new teachers with the Agri-Bags and new resources and over 9,500 students," Program Director Barbara Oplinger reports.

Basin Advisory Committee (BAC) Schedules

May 2003
27th Marais des Cygnes Basin Advisory Committee Meeting, 1:00 pm (Tour), 3:00 pm (Meeting), City Hall, Pleasanton

28th Cimarron Basin Advisory Committee Meeting, 6:30 pm, Chamber of Commerce, Liberal

29th Upper Arkansas Basin Advisory Committee Meeting, 1:00 pm, King Center, Jetmore

29th Walnut Basin Advisory Committee Meeting, 6:30 pm, Spears Restaurant, Augusta

30th Neosho Basin Advisory Committee Meeting, 3:30 pm, Coffey County Courthouse, Conference Room B, Burlington

June 2003
1st Missouri Basin Advisory Committee Meeting, 3:30 pm, Benedictine College, Atchison

2nd Solomon Basin Advisory Committee Meeting, 7:00 pm, American Legion Hall, Stockton

2nd Smoky Hill-Saline Basin Advisory Committee Meeting, 1:00 pm, City Hall, Hays

3rd Upper Republican Basin Advisory Committee Meeting, 1:00 pm, Atwood City Bldg., Atwood

3rd Verdigris Basin Advisory Committee Meeting, 1:00 pm, Neodesha Housing Authority, Neodesha

4th Lower Arkansas Basin Advisory Committee Meeting, 9:00 am, Activity Center, Kingman

5th Kansas Lower Republican Basin Advisory Committee Meeting, 10:00 am, Rural Water District Building, Olsburg

Friday, May 9, 2003

Actor's Alternative Fuels Convoy Uses E85
Our E-85 ethanol fueled Ford Explorer joined a cross-country convoy of alternative fuel vehicles while it passed through Kansas Wednesday and Thursday. We helped sponsor a dinner for the group and participated in a tour of the US Energy Partners ethanol plant at the convoy's overnight stop in Russell. We were able to get our message about the value of ethanol to the group led by actor Dennis Weaver. Weaver even drove the E85 Explorer to the ethanol plant. The technicians with the convoy calculated how much E85 each vehicle could use and when they stopped Thursday at the Topeka Travel Plaza's E85 pump, they put E85 in each vehicle including Weaver's hydrogen hybrid Toyata Prius. The group traveled on to Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City where they displayed the vehicles and set up information on alternative fuels. Weaver played the character Chester on Gunsmoke and starred in the television series McCloud.

Senate Will Consider RFS Soon
The fuels provisions in S. 791 were introduced Thursday as an amendment by Sen. Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) and Democratic Leader Tom Daschle (S.D.) to S. 14, the Senate energy bill. This will bring the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) under full consideration by the Senate. The House has already passed the Renewable Fuels Standard that implement a renewable fuels requirement of 5 billion gallons by 2015, which is a longer time period than we've been working for. The Senate RFS would be fully implemented by 2010. Debate on the energy bill should resume the week of May 19. Ethanol opponents are expected to offer amendments to weaken or completely do away with RFS.

Got Birds?
KGSPA is gathering information from growers who have experience crop losses due to blackbirds and starling damages. We're working with Kansas Farm Bureau in an effort to get increased funding for a Kansas Wildlife Service blackbird starling damage management program in Kansas. The additional funding would allow KWS to increase its services to better address blackbird/starling issues in the state. The program would help increase baiting of birds and provide assistance to grain producers, feedlots and dairies who have bird damage. If you have a story to tell about sorghum losses you've experienced due to blackbirds or starlings, contact Sue Schulte at KGSPA at 800-489-2676 as soon as possible.

Signing Ceremony for State E10 Bill
Jere White attended the governor's signing ceremony of HB2036 that requires the state to purchase bulk E10 unleaded fuel and biodiesel as long as they are no more than 10 cents higher in price than regular fuel. The law also requires state vehicles to choose E10 Unleaded if it's available and no more than 10 cents per gallon higher than regular unleaded. E10 normally costs only 2 or 3 cents more than regular unleaded and is available in 88 counties across Kansas.

Governor Signs HB2219
Governor Kathleen Sebelius signed HB2219, a bill supported by KGSPA and other ag organizations that will make changes to state water quality standards. The bill addresses some concerns expressed by EPA regarding the designation of primary and secondary recreational uses for water. Primary uses include activities like swimming, while secondary uses include activities like wading. The law shifts the state's approach to a risk-based system that will designate each stream segment for primary or secondary recreational uses depending on the number of people expected to participate in recreational activities in that stream segment. The bill also requires actual field reviews of stream segments to make sure the designations are appropriate.

East Kansas Agri-Energy Announces Target Date
East Kansas Agri-Energy LLC has announced a target date of June 2 to raise the necessary funds to move forward on their project. If the group meets its target date, it could be producing ethanol by the winter of 2004. The group is on its second round of meetings. EKAE is raising equity to build a 20 million gallon ethanol plant at Garnett in east central Kansas.

Western Plains Energy Plant Is Under Construction
Work has begun at Campus on the Western Plains Energy ethanol plant. The group hopes to have construction wrapped up by year's end and to be producing ethanol in early 2004. To follow the construction progress, visit their photo gallery on their web site at www.westernplainsenergy.biz

KGSPA Offers Scholarship
Enclosed is copy of the application for the KGSPA scholarship. The form can also be downloaded from the KGSPA web site at www.ksgrains.com/sorghum The association will award one $250 Scholarship to a junior or senior enrolled in the College of Agriculture at Kansas State University.
Eligibility requirements are:
· Any undergraduate student in the College of Agriculture at Kansas State University who will be enrolled as a junior or senior in the 2003-2004 school year.
· Preference will be given to children of Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association members.
· Applicant should have a good academic standing, be good school and community citizens and have a strong desire to continue their education and pursue a career in agriculture.
For more information, contact Jessica Baetz at the KGSPA office at 800-489-2676.

Paola Ag Day
KGSC Administrator Kevin Lickteig and KGSPA Communications Director were both presenters at the Paola Ag Day last Friday. Kevin, Sue and presenters from other ag groups spoke to over 300 third, fourth and fifth grade students.

Yield Contest Forms Are Available
It's never too early to be thinking about the National Grain Sorghum Yield and Management Contest. NGSP has the entry forms as well as rules posted on their web site at www.sorghumgrowers.com

NGSP Summer Meeting
Mark your calendars--the 2003 NGSP Summer Meeting has been scheduled for August 11-12.

Friday, April 25, 2003

Greg's Last Day
Monday was Greg Krissek's last day with us at KGSPA. He has accepted a position with ICM, the ethanol plant developer and will be relocating to Wichita. We enjoyed working with Greg and wish him the best in his new position with ICM.

Western Plains Energy Breaks Ground at Campus
Congressman Jerry Moran and KGSPA Executive Director Jere White were speakers at the Western Plains Energy LLC ethanol plant groundbreaking last Thursday. The event drew a crowd of about 200 people. WPE plans to be producing ethanol by early 2004, or possibly sooner. Check out their new web site at www.westernplainsenergy.biz

East Kansas Agri-Energy Plans Additional Equity Drive Meetings
Attached is a news release we sent out on behalf of East Kansas Agri-Energy LLC outlining the schedule of additional equity drive meetings. The group has given out 1,400 prospectus to potential investors in 10 states. The group is working toward a June 2 target date for completion of its equity drive.

Ethanol Growth
A few years ago, Kansas had four ethanol plants that used about 20 million bushels of grain to produce 50 million gallons of ethanol. Today, we have five ethanol plants that use about 30 million bushels of grain to produce 80 million gallons of ethanol. Next year, with the addition of WPE, we'll use over 40 million bushels of grain to produce 110 million gallons of ethanol. When EKAE comes on line, we'll use about 48 million bushels of grain to produce 130 million gallons of ethanol. That's growth!

Crop Progress
It's too early for Kansas Ag Statistics to begin tracking sorghum planting, but the weekly crop progress report that is released every Monday also gives information on soil moisture. Monday's report was based on conditions as of April 20. Thanks to some rains in many areas of the state, it's hard not to be just a little more optimistic. However, the crop report shows that we can certainly use any rain we can get. In northwest, northcentral, west central and southwest Kansas, Ag Statistics still had over 90 percent of the subsoil rated as short or very short. Statewide, 65 percent of our subsoil moisture is rated short or very short, compared to 75 percent last year. We hope the rain some of us of had since last week will improve our conditions.
As far as crops reported, statewide 66 percent of the wheat was jointed, compared to 48 percent last year; 27 percent of the corn was planted, compared to 24 percent last year.

Governor Signs HB2219
Governor Kathleen Sebelius signed HB2219, a bill supported by KGSPA and other ag organizations that will make changes to state water quality standards. The bill addresses some concerns expressed by EPA regarding the designation of primary and secondary recreational uses for water. Primary uses include activities like swimming, while secondary uses include activities like wading. The law shifts the state's approach to a risk-based system that will designate each stream segment for primary or secondary recreational uses depending on the number of people expected to participate in recreational activities in that stream segment. The bill also requires actual field reviews of stream segments to make sure the designations are appropriate.

Signing Ceremony for HB2036 Ethanol Bill is Friday, May 2
The Governor will have a signing ceremony for HB2036, the bill that requires state vehicles to use E10 Unleaded and biodiesel. The signing will be at 9:45 a.m. Friday, May 2 at the Governor's office in Topeka. If you are interested in attending, please let us know as soon as possible.

National Grain Sorghum Yield and Management Contest Entry Form Is Available
Sure, it's early in the planting season, but it's not too early to dream about the great yields on your sorghum fields. NGSP has the 2003 Sorghum Yield and Management Contest entry form available on their web site at www.sorghumgrowers.com. We'll also be linking to it from our web site: www.ksgrains.com/sorghum

KGSPA Grain Sorghum Scholarship Now Available
2003-2004 Scholarship Opportunity
The Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association will award one $250 Scholarship to a junior or senior enrolled in the College of Agriculture at Kansas State University.

Eligibility:

· Any undergraduate student in the College of Agriculture at Kansas State University who will be enrolled as a junior or senior in the 2003-2004 school year.

· Preference will be given to children of Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association members.

· Applicant should have a good academic standing, be good school and community citizens and have a strong desire to continue their education and pursue a career in agriculture.
If you know a student who might be eligible for this scholarship, the application is available on the KGSPA web site, or through the KGSPA office.

3I Show
Kevin Lickteig is manning the booth at the 3-I Show in Garden City this week. The exhibit is shared with the Kansas Corn Commission.

Earth Day in Parsons and Elsewhere
Jessica Baetz from our office was at Parsons last Wednesday for their annual Earth Day event that brings in around 500 students from a five county area. Jessica took one of our ethanol vehicles along to show off to the kids. Response to our program was great and plenty of kids came away from the day with a lot of knowledge about agriculture. One student told a reporter that the main thing he remembered was that cars can be powered with fuel made from crops grown on farms. That's getting the message across!

Jessica has also been busy sending information and teaching materials to schools across the state that are having Earth Day activities. We had planned to drive an ethanol vehicle in the Lawrence Earth Day Parade last Saturday. EPA's mascot was going to ride in our ethanol vehicle. Unfortunately, the parade was cancelled at the last minute because of rain.

US Grains Council Team from Mexico and Columbia to visit KSU's IGP
A team of grain merchandisers from Mexico and Columbia will participate in a Corn and Sorghum Procurement Short Course at the International Grains Program at KSU April 28 - May 2, 2003. The program will focus on the traditional grain procurement topics like grain grading, inspection, pricing and shipping and also will have two sessions related to Dried Distillers Grains, the coproduct of ethanol production.

April 11, 2003

WOW! House Passes Energy Bill With RFS
It sounds like a no brainer for the US House of Representatives to pass an Energy Bill with a Renewable Fuels Standard. But last year the House left RFS out of the Energy Bill. The RFS was included in this year's House version of the bill is great news and shows strong support for the measure. Key renewable fuels provisions in the House energy bill include:
· Removing the current oxygenate standard for reformulated gasoline;
· Enhancing air quality anti-backsliding provisions; and
· Reaching an RFS schedule of 5 billion gallons by 2015.

If that 2015 date looks a little odd, it's because the RFS was originally written to reach the 5 billion gallon mark by 2012. Efforts will continue to change the date to at least 2012 and perhaps as soon as 2010. Will we be making enough ethanol by then? By the end of this year, the ethanol industry should reach the 3 billion gallon per year mark, and with continuing expansion, we'll be at the 5 billion mark years before 2012 or 2010.

The Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee passed S. 791, the Reliable Fuels Act of 2003. The bill establishes a renewable fuels standard (RFS). The bill passed out of committee without the addition of over 20 damaging anti-renewable fuels amendments offered Tuesday by Sens. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) and Hillary Clinton (D-NY).

District Court Judge Makes Stream Designation Ruling
United States Senior District Judge Thomas VanBebber on last week ruled that EPA should issue regulations to set primary contact recreational use designations on Kansas stream segments unless and until the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) conducts a use attainability analysis, or actual review of the stream segment to determine whether the stream segment supports primary contact recreation. The ruling came to light just before a state Senate vote on the HB2219 conference committee report which was drafted to harmonize the state's existing water law with guidance received from EPA. HB2219 allows for various degrees of designations of primary and secondary contact recreational use according to what the specific stream segment will support. The Conference Committee report of HB 2219 is not in conflict with the VanBebber ruling. HB 2219 adopts EPA's recommendations for setting recreational use designations. As EPA moves forward with its regulation as required by the recent ruling, KDHE is required to move forward in conducting the stream segment reviews to assure the appropriate contact recreational use designations are applied. KDHE's review results will be submitted to EPA for adoption. The time frame established by current state law for conducting stream segment reviews by KDHE should work consistently with EPA's regulatory process.

Fertilizer and Pesticide Containment Hearings
We'll be at the upcoming public hearings on fertilizer and pesticide containment. On the 15th, KDA will hold a public hearing on bulk fertilizer containment regulations. We'll also attend the meeting on the 16th with stakeholders on the implementation of both pesticide and fertilizer containment regulations.
Senate and House Pass HB2219 Conference Committee Report
While the district court ruling mentioned above has implications for the process of designating stream segments, it did not have an adverse effect on the bill in the Senator or the House. Both chambers passed the bill with strong support.

State Will Use E10
In a victory for ethanol and biodiesel proponents, HB2036 has received approval from the House and Senate and will be sent to the Governor for her approval.
E10 Provisions:
All bulk motor-vehicle fuels purchased by any state agency . . . for use in state-owned motor vehicles shall be motor-vehicle fuels blends containing at least 10% ethanol. No state agency shall spend more than ten cents per gallon more on fuel blends containing at least 10% ethanol than the current price per gallon of regular fuel on bulk motor vehicle fuel purchases. Where available under current state purchasing agreements, individual motor-vehicle fuel purchases for state-owned motor vehicles shall be of motor-vehicle fuels blends containing at least 10% ethanol. Individual motor vehicle fuel purchases for state-owned motor vehicles shall not be more than ten cents per gallon more on fuel blends containing at least 10% ethanol than the current price per gallon of regular fuel.
Biodiesel Provisions:
Where available, and as long as the price is no greater than 10 cents more per gallon than the price of diesel fuel; a 2% or higher blend of biodiesel must be purchased for use in state-owned diesel powered vehicles and equipment.

Prospective Plantings Report Released
Ag Statistics released the 2003 Prospective Plantings report. Here are the results for Kansas:

Mexicans and Columbians to Participate on IGP Short Course
Grain buyers from Mexico and Columbia and US Grains Council representatives will be in Manhattan April 27 to May 3 for an International Grains short course on corn and sorghum procurement. If you are interested in attending the reception and dinner for the group the evening of Thursday, May 1, please call Kevin Lickteig at 913-294-4314.

Farm Bill Meetings
Farm bill meetings sponsored by Kansas Alliance for Wetlands and Streams (KAWS) will give a Kansas persective on conservation programs in the farm bill. The meetings kick off at 8:30 a.m. at each location. The first meeting was held today at Cimarron. The remaining meeting dates and locations: April 21 Lawrence--Douglas County fairgrounds; Tuesday, April 22 Chanute--Holiday Park Motel; Thursday, April 24 Salina-Saline County 4-H building; Friday, April 25 Colby--Community Center.

March 28, 2003

KCGA's George Wiens Passed Away Today
We received sad news this afternoon. Our dear friend and KCGA Board Member George Wiens passed away today at Colby. He had been ill. Services will be held on Tuesday. We know many of our grain sorghum leaders knew George and will miss him. Our prayers are with Verna and the Wiens family.

Clark Returns to KDOCH Ag Marketing Division
The new director of the Kansas Department of Commerce & Housing's Agriculture Marketing Division is Patty Clark. Clark served in the same capacity at the Agency from 1997 to 1999. Most recently, she was public policy director at Kansas Farm Bureau. Clark and her husband, Steve, are actively involved in farming and ranching in Chautauqua County. Lt. Governor John Moore, who also serves as secretary of the Kansas Department of Commerce & Housing (KDOC&H), announced the appointment today.

KANSAS LEGISLATURE:
KGSPA Testifies for SB191
KGSPA gave testimony Wednesday to the House appropriations on Senate Bill 191 which would require state fleet to use ethanol and biodiesel and the committee approved it and it is now on the House floor. The senate has already passed it in a house bill which will go to a conference committee.

KGSPA Watching Water Bill Amendments
Work continues on technical amendments to SB204, the water bill passed by the Kansas Legislature in 2001. The Senate committee as a whole adopted the amendments this week. A hearing was held Monday on the issue. The technical amendments stem from informal suggestions made by EPA that led the state to believe they need to make some changes to avoid having the state's regulations disapproved by the agency.

Legislature Nearing Break
Legislative conference committees will meet on Monday and Tuesday, and then the legislature will take a break until late April. Budgetary issues will probably not be resolved until after the break.

Agricultural Biotechnology Awareness Day
KGSPA was a sponsor of Kansas Agricultural Biotechnology Day on March 18. The event began after the pancake feed and drew a good crowd from the agricultural community as well as legislators. Following morning presentations, the group went to the Statehouse for a legislative lunch and a news conference. In a wrap up session, participants decided to ask the Kansas Agricultural Alliance to form a standing biotech committee. The committee was subsequently formed by the Ag Alliance, and Jere White was named chairman of the committee.

Pancakes, Sausage and More
Several of our sorghum leaders were in Topeka last week helping with our Wake Up to Kansas Agriculture legislative pancake feed. Pancake flippers included Greg Shelor, Freddie Walls, Leo Bindel and Ted Birtell. We had a good turnout in terms of legislators and staff who joined us for pancakes. Thanks to all who spent the morning with us!

Some Refining Execs Blame High California Gas Prices on Ethanol
This from Reuters News Service:
Oil execs say volatile gasoline prices due to ethanol
SAN ANTONIO - California's increasingly volatile gasoline market may be a glimpse of what other U.S. states will face if they switch to ethanol-blended gasoline to cut pollution, refining executives said. California is seen as a bellwether as it this year began to transition to the use of gasoline mixed with ethanol, an alcohol made from grain, to help cut smog-forming vehicle emissions . . . . Beyond the volatility seen now in U.S. gasoline prices due to swings in crude oil markets worldwide, ethanol prices will also be subject to the whims of the agricultural markets.

This from the Renewable Fuels Association:
Some analysts have suggested that the transition to summer grade ethanol blends for the first time in California is to blame for the current high California gasoline prices. We feel strongly that the facts do not support such a conclusion. In fact, ethanol-RFG is selling for 9 cents less per gallon than MTBE-RFG at Los Angeles distribution terminals ("wholesale" rack prices)
RFA pointed to the following factors that led to the California price hike:
1. Gasoline inventories were dangerously low, even before the switch to summer grade gasoline began--11.3 percent below 2002 levels.
2. High crude oil prices have been a disincentive for refiners to build inventories.
3. With gasoline inventories already low, several refineries temporarily shut down for regular maintenance and to prepare for producing summer grade gasoline. Refiners must also drain their tanks of winter grade gasoline before filling them with summer grade. This situation occurs regardless of which oxygenate-MTBE or ethanol--is being blended.

Liberal Farmer Appreciation Day
Greg Krissek spoke at the Liberal Farmer Appreciation Day event on Thursday. He gave an update on ethanol. He said they had a good turnout with about 55 people.

KGSPA Meets with Ag Secretary
Jere White and Greg Krissek met with Kansas Secretary of Agriculture Adrian Polanski earlier this week to discuss issues of interest for Kansas grain sorghum

On the Road
Last Week: Jessica Baetz helped with ethanol pump rallies in Quinter and Smith Center. Robert White was at an ethanol rally in Coffey County. Sue Hardman, Jere White and Greg Krissek were in Topeka for the Pancake Feed and Biotechnology Awareness Day. Greg Krissek manned a booth at the Kansas Ag Day celebration on Friday. This week: We were at ethanol rallies in Scott City on Tuesday, and will be in Hunter on Saturday. On Thursday, Greg Krissek spoke at the Liberal Chamber of Commerce Farmer Appreciation Day. Next week: We'll be at ethanol rallies in Salina and Hays.

Sen. Roberts Announces Disaster Program Change
by Roger Bernard, AgWeb

Sen. Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) today announced USDA will allow producers to use the Crop Revenue Coverage (CRC) price election when determining the payment cap on disaster payments.

In remarks to a Washington, DC, policy conference held by Sparks Companies, Inc., Roberts expressed thanks to the Office of Management and Budget, USDA Secretary Ann Veneman and Undersecretary J.B. Penn for making their decision on this issue.

"Their decision is in the best interests of our farmers and ranchers out there who have been stricken by this continued drought," Roberts noted. "USDA has come a long way to make disaster assistance farmer-friendly."

Roberts and Rep. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) have been pressing USDA to allow producers that purchased revenue insurance policies in 2001 and/or 2002 be allowed to use the revenue price elections already in place for those crop years when calculating disaster payments and eligibility for those payments.

Producers that purchased CRC or other revenue insurance products would be unfairly penalized on their overall disaster payment, Roberts said, unless this change was made. For example, the CRC price election for all crops is higher than the Multi-Peril Crop insurance (MPCI) price election. Specifically, the CRC price election is 52 cents/bu higher for corn, 41 cents/bu higher for sorghum, 45 cents higher for soybeans, and 19 cents/bu higher for wheat.

"If disaster payments caps were calculated using only the MPCI price election, while crop insurance payments were based on the higher CRC price elections, many producers that suffered complete crop losses while purchasing high levels of revenue insurance coverage would have ended up being locked out of disaster assistance because of the 95 percent cap," Roberts stressed "This cannot be allowed to happen."

Regarding implementation of the new farm bill, Roberts said, "I had warned the farm bill would not provide assistance when producers had no crop to harvest, and that is exactly what happened in the Plains states."

"Producers that had complete, or nearly complete, losses of their wheat, corn, sorghum, and soybean crops saw drops of up to 60 percent on their government assistance in the first year of this legislation," Roberts stated. "In fact, we recently had a report from our state FSA office in Kansas that between 20 percent and 25 percent of the loans through that agency are delinquent in Kansas."

"I hope that times will be better this year, but if we suffer another year like last, it is going to start raising serious questions on the long-term viability of this farm bill," Roberts stated. "I still hope that some will eventually figure out that it is revenue, and not price, that matters on the bottom line."

Additional changes to the crop insurance program would be examined this year. "We will probably have hearings, and that is a good thing," Senator Roberts said. "We need to conduct oversight on the changes we made to the program in 2000. We will listen closely to all recommendations, but I want to point out that for the 2002 crop, the program has provided nearly $4 billion in indemnities to producers. In 1998, nine percent of insured acreage was covered at a level of 70 percent or higher. In 2002, 53 percent of all acreage was covered at 70 percent or higher."

SORGHUM LEADER UPDATE

March 3, 2003
Annual Pancake Breakfast Is Tuesday!
We're looking forward to seeing you at the annual "Wake Up to Kansas Agriculture" legislative pancake feed. It will begin at 6 a.m. on Tuesday, March 18 at the Assumption Church just north of the Capitol in Topeka. KGSPA, Kansas Corn Growers Association and the Kansas Association of Wheat Growers are hosting the event. WIBW will broadcast their early morning show from the breakfast.

President's Fly-In
KGSPA President Greg Shelor and KGSPA staffer Sue Schulte spent much of this week in Washington DC for the NGSP State President's Fly-In. We had very productive meetings with USDA, EPA, staff for the house and senate ag committees and our representatives and senators. One of the main discussion points of discussion was crop insurance and how grain sorghum could receive more equitable coverage through that program. If you have any examples of problems you're seeing with crop insurance for sorghum especially in the areas of price election or T-yields, we'd like to see it so we can better illustrate the problems our Kansas growers are facing. We also talked to NRCS staff about how sorghum can fit into conservation programs like EQIP and the Conservation Security Program. See the attached news release for more details. It was a busy and productive two days for the participants as we hustled between meetings and congressional appointments. We felt like our group put grain sorghum on the radar screen for many of the officials we met with. Kudos go to NGSP and Mark Rokola for putting together meetings with high level officials in the agencies.

Renewable Fuels Rally Is Next Week in DC
National Corn Growers is sponsoring the Renewable Fuels Rally in Washington DC next week. NGSP is one of the participating organizations in the rally on March 18 and 19.

Key provisions of the RFS include:
* An RFS in which part of our nation's fuel supply, growing to 5 billion gallons by 2012, is provided by renewable, domestic fuels such as ethanol and biodiesel;
* Eliminating the federal reformulated gasoline (RFG) oxygen requirement;
* Phasing down the use of MTBE in the U.S. gasoline market over four years; and
* Enhancing the air quality gains of the reformulated gasoline program.

NGSP Foundation Scholarship Winner Attends Fly-In
KSU student Chris Pachta from Linn participated in the NGSP President's Fly-In as part of his scholarship award. It was his first trip to Washington DC and an excellent learning experience for Chris. Chris is majoring in ag education at this point in his college career. We enjoyed having Chris on the trip with us!

2002 County Estimates Are Out
Sumner County was the leading sorghum producer in 2002, according to the Sorghum County Estimates released by the Kansas Agricultural Statistics Service this week. Sumner County produced 6.56 million bushels. Sedgwick ranked second and Reno ranked third. At 135 million bushels, Kansas sorghum production was down 42 percent from 2001 thanks to the drought. Yields averaged 45 bushels per acre compared to 62 bushels per acre in 2001.

District             2001            2002
Northwest       14,572,000    3,623,000
West Central  37,693,000     7,990,000
Southwest      41,173,000   19,535,000
North Central  44,406,000    21,442,000
Central           30,941,000    24,907,000
South Central  23,350,000   28,425,000
Northeast        13,037,000     6,295,000
East Central    16,585,000     6,477,000
Southeast        17,793,000   16,306,000

Kansas Coalition for Carbon Management
Jessica recently attended a meeting of the Kansas Coalition for Carbon Management and said the group is making progress in finding a way to make carbon management an option for Kansas farmers. Attached is a sheet that came from the meeting.

New Mexico Grain Sorghum Producers Hear About Ethanol
Greg spoke about ethanol at the New Mexico GSP annual meeting at Clovis. He said they had a good interchange of ideas and information. While in the area, Greg also stopped in Lubbock and toured the ARS Stress Lab with NGSP's Jeff Dahlberg. He also spent some time talking with Texas GSP staff about ethanol.

Fertilizer Containment
Wednesday, Jere and Greg attended a Rules and Regulations Committee hearing regarding proposed fertilizer containment changes. Jere gave testimony at the hearing, which will be continued in April.

KGSPA staff also attended a House Ag Committee where EKAE gave a briefing on their fund raising drive to build an ethanol plant at Garnett.

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