Posted By Ken December 29, 2010
With snow on the ground in all sorts of non-snow areas of the country, it’s time for another interesting use of corn, as fuel for specially equipped stoves, furnaces and boilers. Up in Michigan, this is nothing new for corn growers and corn consumers who use the versatile grain to help fight off the winter chill. Check out the Corn Marketing Program of Michigan for the complete scoop.
Corn heating units date back to as early as the beginning of the twentieth century. During hard economic times, farmers burned corn as a way to heat their homes. It became highly prevalent during the Great Depression because the market price of corn was very low and farmers did not have the money needed to buy fuel.
With the rising costs of fuel prices, corn heating units have become widely popular. Consumers are using this alternative heat to help lessen America’s dependence on foreign oil and as a way to lower their heating bills.
Consumers using corn heat are making history. Not only are they using a homegrown, renewable fuel, but they’re supporting their local economy.
Posted By Janice December 20, 2010
A few weeks ago NCGA participated in a press conference with nine other agricultural organizations on the importance of reforming the estate tax. While some may not realize the importance of the number of organizations getting together, believe us when we say getting 10 organizations that represent everything from cotton to beef to milk and don’t agree on a large variety of issues together for a common cause, it’s a huge feat.
The issue of estate taxes is a key issue NCGA has been working on that really doesn’t get much exposure. I can honestly say that I didn’t quite understand the magnitude of the situation until I really started reading and listening to what farmers from across the country had to say. One farmer in particular who stuck out in my mind mentioned his farm had been in his family since 1722. To put it in perspective, that’s 54 years before the Declaration of Independence was written! If soil could talk, just imagine what stories it could tell.
But the image that stuck in my head the most was of the one painted by this farmer who had tilled the land all his life. He wasn’t a young farmer by any means but he has the hopes of handing their farm to the next generation and the next. He even has hopes of throwing one heck of a bash in 2022 to celebrate 300 years. But he also mentioned that if the estate tax was not extended, the amount his family would have to pay would be devastating to their farm.
Without action by Congress before they adjourned, estate taxes would have been reinstated at the beginning of 2011 and farmers would see only a $1 million exemption and a top rate of 55 percent. A lot of Americans would see that number and think it was astronomical. But American farmers fear for the future. When you add in land value, machinery and buildings, $1 million adds up pretty quickly.
Last week, Congress passed and the President signed legislation that will reform the estate tax for two years at a $5 million exemption and reduce the maximum tax rate to no more than 35 percent. This allows our farmers let out sigh of relief and we thank Congress for their action.
We need to keep America’s farms in the family. And when 2022 rolls around, I hope to somehow score an invite to the shin-dig in North Carolina.
Posted By Ken December 16, 2010
(12/17 Update: Winners here.)
On Friday, the National Corn Growers Association will release the names of the winners of our annual National Corn Yield Contest. This is always an exciting time for the staff involved, who have been working hard to make sure all harvest reports are complete and match our guidelines and fielding many calls from the field. As always, the winners will be celebrated at Commodity Classic in March for their hard work.
The great story we cannot tell enough, however, is the importance of this contest as an educational tool for growers, to help them learn more about how to boost their yield. After all, the more bushels they can harvest from each acre, the better they are, and the better the nation is.
When the USDA reports that the average national yield trend is upward, that’s great news. But the winners in our contest routinely surpass that yield. Many, in fact, double it. Do not underestimate the potential of the American corn farmer.
So when folks complain that one particular use of corn is taking away from other uses, remember this: We are growing more corn per acre, and we are having plenty of corn carry over from one year to the next, sort of like a surplus. Thank technology from the seed to the field, but especially thank our farmers.
Posted By Mark December 6, 2010
According to the Oil and Gas Journal, all U.S. oil companies combined control less than 10% of the world’s oil reserves, and the world’s ten largest oil and natural gas companies are 100% owned by foreign governments.
Ponder that statistic for minute and then tell me our quest for more and better alternative sources of domestic energy is a bad idea. In the latest “Standing Out in the Field” blog they make a well reasoned response to critics who either have contrary agendas or simply have not done enough research.
The public debate over ethanol, and specifically the Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Exemption (VEETC), has been prominent in recent weeks so it seems a good time to look at why Congress passed this legislation originally and why it continues to be a sound decision.
An analysis by AUS Consultants shows the elimination of VEETC would result in consumers paying $3 billion more in higher gasoline costs, including $500 million in federal gas taxes, household income falling by $2.9 billion, and 120,600 more Americans having to file for unemployment. Another study shows the American ethanol industry has generated an estimated $33.4 billion in federal tax revenues and nearly $17 billion in state and local tax revenues since 1978 – a 5 to 1 return on investment of the VEETC.
Economist Donis Petersan notes a 100 million gallon-per-year ethanol plant results in:
- $70 million to the local economy during construction
- Expansion of the local economic base by $233 million each year
- 45 direct jobs, plus 101 indirect jobs throughout the area
- Household income raised by $7.9 million annually.
So until legislators are willing to apply the same yardstick to all fuel sources regarding incentives, including oil, the debate in Washington, DC should be decided in ethanol’s favor.
Posted By Mark December 3, 2010
Something momentous happened in Las Vegas yesterday and no dice or chips were involved. The National Corn Growers Association’s landmark partnership with NASCAR® and Growth Energy was announced and with it the arrival of ethanol on the NASCAR® stage.
This development during NASCAR’s annual awards program is extremely meaningful not only because of the size of the fan base and NASCAR’s marketing clout but because there is nothing like real world rubber meeting the road to counter ethanol naysayers.
Despite years of proven performance and use ethanol still takes the occasional cheap shot from critics like Big Oil who offer an alternative product or corn users who want access to cheap corn. Many of the myths and much of the misinformation they foster will get eclipsed by the raw performance that ethanol will bring to NASCAR®.
Led by Growth Energy, more than 100 different entities – from farmers and state corn grower boards to ethanol producers and biotech companies – are working with NASCAR to introduce a cleaner-burning fuel to America. E15 fuels like Sunoco Green E15, which is unleaded gasoline blended with 15% ethanol, will support jobs in America’s heartland.
In the words of one Corn Grower, “This alliance will shine a light on ethanol’s many benefits and do it on a large national stage. Ethanol has long been overshadowed by misinformation but NASCAR’s endorsement should blow the doors off of the critics.”
The transition partnership with American Ethanol takes NASCAR’s environmental commitment to the next level. American Ethanol, a renewable source of cleaner burning energy from the bounty of America’s farmers, helps create new green jobs and a renewed sense of pride for the American worker, while helping to achieve greater energy security for our country.
Starting with the 2011 season, American Ethanol will be an integral partner in NASCAR green efforts, linking millions of American farmers with the sport of NASCAR.
- By using American Ethanol, NASCAR will demonstrate ethanol’s superior performance not only to the NASCAR audience, but to the broader public as well.
- A 15% blend of ethanol uses 50% more homegrown fuel than the current E10 standard blend in the U.S. NASCAR is leading by example by utilizing Sunoco Green E15 race fuel, showing that American ethanol-blended fuel works.
- NASCAR is going green. And ethanol is the only commercially viable alternative to gasoline. We are honored to partner with NASCAR to show Americans that ethanol is clean, green and homegrown.
- For the first time ever, starting in 2011 in Daytona, the NASCAR Green Flag will be branded with American Ethanol, representing the continued efforts of NASCAR and its commitment to environmental responsibility.
- Also premiering in 2011, every lap of every NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, NASCAR Nationwide Series and NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race will be fueled by Sunoco Green E15 -– a fuel that includes 15% renewable American Ethanol, which is produced from corn grown and harvested on family farms across our country.
- NASCAR fans will see the same great racing they have come to expect, but powered with a new, greener fuel.
Posted By Mark December 1, 2010
In this season of thankfulness and joy why not make sure that family farmers and ranchers make it on your Christmas list. They don’t want much; just a little appreciation for all they do to put clothes on your back, fuel in your car and food on your plate to nourish your body.
It all starts with knowledge because once the average American understands the business of farming better and has a better handle on how essential this industry of independent entrepreneurs is to us all then the thankfulness comes naturally.
And that’s what the National Corn Growers Association’s Holiday Viral Email campaign is about. The idea is to take one small part of agriculture and connect the dots. In this case the focus is on showing the important role corn and distillers grains from ethanol production to raising all kinds of livestock and related products and converting it to critical protein to keep us healthy and vital.
Attached to this blog is the second email in the series which showcases beef. The first message featured a turkey and went out the week of Thanksgiving. Chicken, pork and dairy are yet to come. You can view them all at the link above.
The idea of a viral email is simple; it starts with one person sending it to 10 people and asking them to send it to their friends, family, and business associates via email, facebook etc… This seemingly simple concept can result in thousands of people getting a positive message about our largest and most important industry.
I would appreciate your help in disseminating this to the widest possible audience. The entire image is clickable and goes to a backgrounder online related to the importance protein.
It’s easy…..just go to What Does Protein Do. At the bottom of the page you will find all of the images. Pick one and cut and paste it into an email along with a message asking your friends to pass it on. Come back each week between now and Christmas and send another one. The turkey is fair game again if you haven’t already sent it and you get bonus points for sending to non-Aggies.
