Tuesday September 11 Ag News

New Blender Pump Opens up in Elgin

A new blender pump is now open in Elgin, Nebraska, at the Elgin One Stop & Sleepin Inn.  The grand opening of the blender pump will be held Tuesday, September 18 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm.  The new blender pump is located at 501 N 2nd Street in Elgin.  Discounts of $0.85 on E85 and $0.30 on E30 will be given during the grand opening.  These discounts are applied to vehicles only.  They will not be applied to fuel trailers.

This E85/blender pump is one of approximately 60 in Nebraska to offer a variety of renewable ethanol  fuel blends.  This station will offer unleaded, E10, E30, and E85.  To find a list of retailers that offer E85 and other mid-level ethanol blends visit the Nebraska Ethanol Board website at www.ne-ethanol.org or check the Nebraska Corn Board website at www.nebraskacorn.org.

Over 120,000 Nebraska motorists currently own a flexible fuel vehicle which can run on any blend of ethanol and gasoline, up to E85 and they don’t even know it.  To confirm if a vehicle is flex fuel, drivers can check their owner’s manual, their gas cap, look for the flex fuel emblem on their vehicle or visit the website www.ne-ethanol.org/e85.

“Gas prices keep increasing and flex fuel vehicle owners can save even more when fueling up with E85 and other mid-level ethanol blends at blender pumps,” said Kim Clark, director of biofuels development with the Nebraska Corn Board.  “Ethanol saves motorist money at the pump.  Last year, ethanol saved American households over $1,200”

“Consumer choice and ethanol fuel availability are a high priority with today’s gas prices,” said Todd Sneller, Nebraska Ethanol Board’s Administrator.  “When flex fuel drivers fill up on E85, they’re strengthening Nebraska’s economy, making our country more energy independent and going easier on the environment,” Sneller said.



FFVs in Nebraska increase by 20%

The number of Flex Fuel Vehicles in Nebraska has increased by over 20% from last year. There are now more than 143,000 registered FFVs in Nebraska.

Flex Fuels Vehicles can run on any blend of ethanol and gasoline up to E85-85% ethanol. Drivers can determine whether their vehicle is an FFV by checking for an FFV logo on the back of the vehicle.  Most flex fuel vehicles also have a yellow gas cap. Drivers can also check the U.S. Department of Energy’s website to identify all makes and models of flex fuel vehicles.

Drivers benefit from E85 and ethanol blends by saving money, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and supporting Nebraska’s economy.  Some Nebraska fuel stations are selling E85 at 68 cents per gallon under regular unleaded prices. And economic studies have found that ethanol lowers gas prices for everyone – even non-FFV drivers – by extending our gas supply.

“FFV drivers have an opportunity to make more fuel choices at the pump,” said Todd Sneller, Nebraska Ethanol Board administrator.  “These choices have the additional advantage of lower prices than gasoline”, he stated.

Flex Fuel Vehicle drivers will have an opportunity to save even more on fuel tomorrow. Two gas stations in Grand Island are offering discounts on ethanol fuels on September 12 from 11-am to 1 pm. The stations are Pump & Pantry, 1235 Allen Drive, and Aurora Cooperative A-Stop at 4155 E. Hwy 30 in Grand Island.

“More drivers are realizing the benefits of renewable fuels like ethanol by switching to FFVs,” said Sneller.  Drivers of flex fuel vehicles can find details about additional ethanol fuel promotions by checking the Nebraska Ethanol Board web site.



Speakers, Endorsers of Rally for Farm Bill Passage Announced

Members of the American Soybean Association (ASA) will be on hand at the "Farm Bill Now!" rally as legislative representatives, agricultural leaders and hundreds of farmers and ranchers come together in chorus on U.S. Capitol grounds Sept. 12 to encourage Congress to pass a new, comprehensive, five-year farm bill before current farm programs expire at the end of September.

"Our coalition represents a broad cross-section of agriculture and is extraordinarily varied in its policy priorities," said ASA President Steve Wellman, a soybean farmer from Syracuse, Neb. "ASA and its coalition partners may differ on many of the individual aspects in various titles of the farm bill, but more important than that is our commitment first and foremost to getting a bill done. We will work with farmers, with our partner organizations, and with our representatives in Washington to get this job finished in the interest of providing America’s farmers with the security and certainty they need."

The "Farm Bill Now!" rally, which will take place at Union Square in front of the Capitol Reflecting Pond, will feature members from the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives addressing the crowd, as well as leaders from a broad range of farm, conservation, energy, consumer and nutrition organizations.

Legislative members slated to speak at the rally include Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., chairwoman of the Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee; Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan.; Rep. Collin Peterson, D-Minn., ranking member of the Committee on Agriculture; and Rep. Kristi Noem, R-S.D.

National Farmers Union President Roger Johnson and American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman will serve as a master of ceremonies for the event.

Organizational speakers in addition to Wellman, Johnson and Stallman will include Fred Yoder, representative of 25x’25; Daren Coppock, president and CEO of Agricultural Retailers Association; Ambassador Tony P. Hall, executive director of Alliance to End Hunger; Jon Scholl, president of American Farmland Trust; Gene Schmidt, president of National Association of Conservation Districts; Bing Von Bergen, first vice president of National Association of Wheat Growers; an elected county official representing National Association of Counties; Sally Greenberg, executive director of National Consumers League; Garry Niemeyer, president of National Corn Growers Association; Ken Nobis, president of Michigan Milk Producers Association; and Robert Guenther, senior vice president of public policy.

The event has been endorsed by more than 80 organizations representing a broad range of associations and coalitions representing commodity crops, livestock, dairy, specialty crops, state and local governments, minor crops, energy and biobased product groups, farm cooperatives and financial groups.

For more information on efforts to raise awareness of the plight of the farm bill, please visit www.FarmBillNow.com.



NCGA Applauds EPA Extension of RFS Waiver Request Comment Period

The National Corn Growers Association applauds the Environmental Protection Agency's announcement, issued earlier today, that it will grant a 15-day extension of the comment period on the requests for a waiver of the Renewable Fuel Standard. This extension, which NCGA requested on August 30, will give farmers a chance to participate more fully in this important policy process and for a more accurate picture of the year's final corn supply to emerge.

"We are pleased to see the EPA take this important action to help ensure that the process outlined in the Renewable Fuel Standard moves forward in a thoughtful, analytical fashion," said NCGA President Garry Niemeyer. "This extension will allow our farmers, who are currently harvesting the crop, to participate more fully and for a more accurate assessment of the final corn supply to emerge."

Originally scheduled to close at the end of September, the comment period will now remain open until October 11, 2012. During a previous comment period in 2008 for a partial waiver of the RFS, EPA received more than 15,000 submissions from throughout the country.



USDA Chief Vows Continued Support For Ethanol Mandate

U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack vowed Tuesday to continue supporting the U.S. ethanol industry, even as the Environmental Protection Agency weighs several state petitions to waive a production mandate for the corn-based alternative fuel.

"I have conveyed and will continue to convey to [EPA] Administrator [Lisa] Jackson and others at the EPA...my support for this industry," Vilsack told a gathering of ethanol producers.

The U.S. ethanol mandate, part of the federal Renewable Fuel Standard, requires refiners to blend about 13 billion gallons of corn-based ethanol into gasoline this year.

Livestock industry representatives have been the most vocal opponent of the mandate, complaining it makes animal feed more expensive by sucking corn out of the market.

A record-breaking drought this year has exacerbated the tight market for corn, pushing feed prices even higher.

The USDA cuts its corn production forecast for this year by more than 2 billion bushels in its latest supply and demand report.

One of the several governors to petition the EPA is Virginia's Bob McDonnell. He submitted it on Aug. 27, telling the agency: "Although the severe drought that our nation has experienced is an underlying factor in current economic conditions, the direct harm is caused by the [Renewable Fuel Standard] requirement to utilize ever-increasing amounts of corn and soybeans for transportation fuel, severely increasing the costs of producing food and further depleting already severely stressed grain supplies."

But Vilsack said Tuesday his support of the ethanol industry has not diminished and said he doesn't believe an EPA waiver would do much to reduce corn prices.

While its up to the EPA to decide on the waiver petitions, the USDA does have a role in that decision as a consultant.

"I don't want anyone to leave here today thinking there is any waiver on [USDA's] support for this industry," Vilsack told the ethanol producers.



U.S. Soybean Trade Relationships Grow in September

The United Soybean Board, along with its international marketing arm, the U.S. Soybean Export Council, will host customers from more than 20 countries in September.

"Face-to-face meetings mean a lot to businesses throughout the world," says Marc Curtis, a soybean farmer from Leland, Miss., and a member of USB's international marketing program.

"This year, especially, it gets them out in the field to alleviate fears of not having a crop and also highlights our sustainability."

Teams from Europe, Asia, and South and Central America will visit a wide variety of stops in multiple states. They will tour farms, export facilities, modern livestock and poultry facilities and even the Chicago Board of Trade, learning more about U.S. agriculture and, specifically, U.S. soy.

"The end goal is to increase demand for soybeans," adds Curtis, who also serves as past chair of USB. "You increase demand by making foreign buyers more comfortable with the United States, the reliable supply we have and the quality of our product."

By focusing on the needs of the individual teams, USB and USSEC hope to continue to grow the personal relationships needed to sell U.S. soy globally and maintain soy's rank as one of the top U.S. agricultural exports.



Nitrogen Fertilizers Move in Opposite Directions

Nitrogen fertilizer prices continue to move in opposite directions, according to retail fertilizer prices tracked by DTN for the first week of September. The price of anhydrous is moving higher while urea and 10-34-0 continue to move lower.  The only fertilizer that was higher by any significant amount was anhydrous for the fifth straight week. With fall fertilizer application rapidly approaching in some locations, the nitrogen fertilizer was 6% higher compared to the first week of August and had an average price of $824 per ton.  Two other fertilizers were slightly higher compared to a month earlier. MAP had an average price of $669 per ton while UAN28 had a price of $387 per ton.

Leading the way lower once again, like it has many times in recent months, was urea. The nitrogen fertilizer was 6% lower and now has an average price of $608 per ton. Urea's price has now dropped $158 per ton since Memorial Day.  Also somewhat lower was 10-34-0. The starter fertilizer declined 5% compared to a month earlier. 10-34-0 had an average price of $631 per ton.  Prices of three other fertilizers were also lower, but just slightly. DAP had an average price of $630/ton, potash $622/ton and UAN32 $428/ton.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was at $0.66/lb.N, anhydrous $0.50/lb.N, UAN28 $0.69/lb.N and UAN32 $0.67/lb.N.

Two of the eight major fertilizers are still showing a price increase compared to one year earlier. Anhydrous is now 5% higher, while urea is 2% higher compared to last year.  Four fertilizers are actually lower in price compared to September 2011. UAN28 is 2% lower UAN32 is 3% lower, potash is 4% less expensive and MAP is 8% lower.  Two remaining fertilizers are now down double digits from a year ago. DAP is now down 10% while 10-34-0 is now 19% less expensive from a year earlier.



USDA May Add DDGS to Export Sales Report

After receiving numerous requests in recent years, the U.S. Department of Agriculture is considering adding distillers grains and pork to its Foreign Agricultural Services export sales report. 

Currently, 39 commodities are covered by the export sales reporting requirement mandate, including wheat, oil seeds, cotton, beef, etc. A proposed rule calls for all exporters of U.S. distillers grains and pork to provide information to FAS on a weekly basis, including quantity, destination and other information.

While the current systems includes a two-month delay for information on sales and shipments, information and distillers grains and pork would be available within two weeks. In a letter of support for the proposed rule, the National Corn Growers Association said the data would help "facilitate market transparency and allow our industry and our corn marketing partners with the ability to conduct accurate and timely analysis of U.S. market conditions."

Although no timeline is set for USDA approval, a "yes" or "no" determination will be made on comments submitted on or before Aug. 24, according to Peter Burr, branch chief with the import policies and export reporting division office of trade programs with FSA.



Gas Prices Higher as Summer Ends

(AP) -- With summer vacation all but a memory, U.S. motorists may actually be looking forward to autumn for some relief at the gas pump.

Average gasoline prices rose 1.5 cents overnight to $3.843 per gallon Tuesday, the biggest gain in two weeks. That's up 15 cents from a month ago and nearly 19 cents from a year ago.

Motorists in about eight states are paying at least $4 per gallon, according to AAA, Wright Express and the OilPrice Information Service. The lowest prices, ranging from $3.585 to $3.687 per gallon, are in Texas, parts of the South, the Rockies and South Carolina.

Gas prices hit a high for the year of $3.94 per gallon in late April and then began to fall due to weak demand and plentiful supply. But a series of pipeline and refinery issues have pushed prices up 10 percent since June 20.

The national average price has increased 3.2 percent so far this year, compared with the same time period in 2011, according to OPIS data. Just one state — Montana — has seen lower prices year to date, although by just 0.1 percentage point. In Arizona, year-to-date average prices are up a whopping 6.2 percent from a year ago.



MONSANTO TO INTRODUCE GENUITY® DROUGHTGARD™ HYBRIDS IN WESTERN GREAT PLAINS IN 2013

            For the 2013 season, Western Great Plains farmers will have a new tool to help manage drought conditions with the stewarded commercial introduction of Monsanto’s Genuity® DroughtGard™ Hybrids. The DroughtGard Hybrids system combines germplasm selected for its drought-tolerant characteristics, the drought-tolerant biotechnology trait and agronomic recommendations.

            The system is designed to help the corn plant so it can use less water when drought stress occurs. This improved hydro-efficiency creates the opportunity to conserve soil moisture and can help minimize yield loss from drought conditions. This season approximately 250 farmers participated in Monsanto’s Ground Breakers℠ large-scale, on-farm testing program by planting DroughtGard Hybrids on their farms to get first-hand experience with the new product.

            “Early results from our Ground Breakers trials this year are encouraging,” said Mark Edge, DroughtGard Hybrids marketing lead. “Harvest is just getting started in many areas throughout the Western Great Plains, and Ground Breakers farmers in Central Texas and Eastern Kansas are seeing an up to 6 bushel advantage over competitor hybrids. We believe DroughtGard Hybrids will become an important tool for farmers to help mitigate yield loss caused by drought stress.”

            Brad Farr, of Cambridge, Neb., tested DroughtGard Hybrids this season as part of Monsanto’s Ground Breakers program and says he looks forward to planting the product again next season.  “I think it will be very beneficial,” Farr said. “All the research they put in shows they are committed to the farmer and helping us get the most out of our acres.”

            The DroughtGard Hybrids introduction in 2013 will be led by Monsanto’s DEKALB® brand with limited availability in Monsanto’s other brands and licensees. The company is also planning DroughtGard Hybrids field trials across the corn-growing area next year. In 2014, DroughtGard Hybrids availability is expected to expand across Monsanto brands and licensees, providing farmers a stronger line of defense against drought.

            “DEKALB is very proud to lead the introduction of the new DroughtGard Hybrids system, giving farmers an additional tool to help protect the yield potential of their DEKALB corn products,” said Rick Myroup, brand marketing manager. “Drought tolerance has historically been a staple of our breeding program, and this product launch is the latest example of DEKALB bringing leading innovations to farmers.”

            Farmers who purchase DroughtGard Hybrids must sign a stewardship agreement committing to use the grain as on-farm feed or to sell the grain for domestic use due to pending import approvals in key export markets. While Monsanto anticipates all key regulatory approvals to be completed during 2013, the company will be working with farmers and the grain trade to assist in identifying domestic markets until all such approvals are received.