Kansas

Grain Sorghum

Leader Update 

SORGHUM LEADER UPDATE

February 6, 2009

Pancake Breakfast Scheduled for MARCH 19

After doing some date juggling, we have settled on March 19 for the Wake Up to Kansas legislative breakfast. We’ll start serving up pancakes and sausage to legislators and others at 6 a.m. on March 19. The breakfast will be held again in the basement of the Assumption Churchy. Let us know if you are planning on helping out—it’s a good chance to visit with your legislator. March 19 is also Kansas Agriculture Day at the Capitol.

Number of Ethanol Blender Pumps Growing in Kansas

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

Blender pumps can offer several blends of ethanol. The most common blends are E20, E30, E40 and E85. The “E” in the designation indicates that the fuel contains ethanol—and the number associated with it is the percentage of ethanol in that blend. For example, E20 is 20% ethanol, 80% gasoline. Any gas-powered engine can use E10, a 10 percent ethanol fuel blend.

In the past year, a large percentage of gasoline sold in Kansas contained 10 percent ethanol. Fuels with more than 10 percent ethanol should be used in flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs). State guidelines require blender pumps to be clearly labeled to make sure the buyer understands that ethanol blends above 10 percent ethanol are intended only for use in flexible fuel vehicles.

Ethanol blender pumps are located at the following Kansas locations:

--Topeka: Conoco, 1531 SW Wanamaker

--Coffeyville: Jump Start, 512 NW St.

--Hutchinson: Hutchinson Coop Cenex, 1200 W. 4th Ave.

--Garden City: U Pump It, 156 N. Campus Dr.

--Lawrence: Zarco 66, 9th & Iowa St.

--Ottawa: Zarco 66, 2518 East Logan St. (I-35 and Hwy 68)

--Dodge City: Dodge City Coop, 800 W. Trail St.

--Colwich: TJ’s Convenience Store, 104 W. Chicago Ave.

For more information on Kansas ethanol and a complete list of fuel stations that offer blender pumps as well as stations that have E85 pumps, visit the ethanol page at www.ksgrains.com.

National Sorghum Producers Washington DC Fly-In Is Next Week

The NSP Washington Fly-in is scheduled for Feb. 10-12. KGSPA President Greg Shelor and KGSPA Staff Sue Schulte will be participating in the annual event. The group, which includes leaders from several sorghum states, will participate in a briefing on Tuesday afternoon. On Wednesday and Thursday, the group will be in meetings with staff from NRCS, RMA, the Senate Ag Committee, FSA, and others in addition to visiting the offices of their congressional delegations.

1-13-09

Ag Statistics Releases 2008 Produciton Numbers

SORGHUM

US

472 million bushels up 2% from Nov.; down 5% from 2007

2008 Kansas

Production 214.5 (up from 2.4% from 2007; up 5.4% Nov. est of 203.5)

Yield 79

Harvested acres: 2.65

2007 Kansas

Production 209.4

Yield 58

Harvested Acres 2.5

 SORGHUM LEADER UPDATE

January 9, 2009

Kansas Legislature Begins Session Monday

The Kansas Legislature is back in session next week. State legislators have been talking a lot about how to deal with revenue shortfalls this session. Also expect a lot of energy discussion, especially around the coal plant issue. Governor Kathleen Sebelius will outline her vision of a Kansas energy plan in her state of the state address Monday night. According to media reports, Sebelius says the goal should be a comprehensive energy program that recognizes the historic importance of coal in producing electricity for Kansans while also raising the profile of wind, natural gas, biodiesel, ethanol and other sources of energy.

KGSPA is a member of the Kansas Ag Alliance, a coalition of ag groups that works together on legislative issues that impact agriculture. This group meets throughout the legislative session.

Commodity Classic Is Coming Up

The Commodity Classic is next month—February 26-28 in Grapevine, Texas. This is the first time grain sorghum has been a partner in the national commodity convention. Growers of corn, soybeans, wheat and sorghum will gather at this year’s commodity classic. Here is a list of sorghum-related meetings and events that will be held at the Classic. For a full agenda and more information, visit www.commodityclassic.com. The early registration deadline is January 14.

Wednesday, February 25

8:00 a.m. - Noon: NSP Technical Committee Meetings

1:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.: NSP/SICNA General Session

Thursday, February 26

8:00 a.m. – Noon: NSP/SICNA General Session

6:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.: NSP Board Meeting

Friday, February 27

6:30 a.m. - 8:45 a.m.: NSP Yield and Management Contest Awards Breakfast

9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.: Commodity Classic General Session

United Sorghum Checkoff Program Web Site

The USCP now has a web site online: www.sorghumcheckoff.com. Although they say this is a temporary web site, it is a good resource for those who want more information.

Dec. 23, 2008

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to you all! The KGSPA office will be closed on Christmas Day and on Friday, Dec. 26 for the holidays. We will also be closed next Thursday on New Year’s Day. We hope you all have a safe and Merry Christmas with your family and friends.

Garnett Ethanol Plant Is Offline

The East Kansas Agri Energy ethanol plant suffered an explosion on December 16. According to media reports, the plant remains shut down and plant personnel are working to determine the extent of damage.

Upcoming Farm Shows

The Topeka Farm Show will be January 6-8 at the Topeka Expocentre.

The Mid America Ag Network will host its first Garden City Farm Show January 13-15 at the Finney County Expo Building in Garden City.

No Till on the Plans will be January 27-28 at the Salina Bicentennial Center.