Thursday October 28 Ag News

 Ag land management webinar to focus on cash rents, farm programs, leasing

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s next Agricultural Land Management Quarterly webinar will offer updates on county-level cash rental rates, ARC and PLC coverage options and leasing considerations. It will be held at noon on Nov. 15.

Offered since 2019, the quarterly webinars address common management issues for Nebraska landowners, agricultural operators and related stakeholders interested in the latest insight on trends in real estate, managing agricultural land and solutions for addressing challenges in the upcoming growing season.

The webinar series is presented by the Center for Agricultural Profitability, housed in the Department of Agricultural Economics.

The November webinar will cover recent findings from the 2021 USDA-National Agricultural Statistics Service county-level cash rent survey and trends in farm programs influencing operations across the state. The presentation will also include a segment on landlord-tenant communication issues related to closing out 2021 leases and review leasing considerations for 2022. The webinar will conclude with an “Ask the Experts” session, offering participants the chance to get live answers to their land or leasing questions.

The webinar will be led by Jim Jansen and Allan Vyhnalek, who are both in the Department of Agricultural Economics. Jansen focuses on agricultural finance and land economics and directs the annual Nebraska Farm Real Estate Market Survey and Report. Vyhnalek is a farm succession and farmland management extension educator.

The webinar is free and will be recorded. Past recordings can be viewed the day after each session, along with recordings from the entire series.

Registration is free at https://cap.unl.edu/landmanagement.



The National Center for Appropriate Technology Leads Partnership to Train Beginning Farmers Across Northern Great Plains

The National Center for Appropriate Technology will lead a regional partnership to help more than 300 beginning farmers and ranchers across the Northern Great Plains explore the value, viability, and resilience of raising organic field crops.

NCAT will lead this $600,000 three-year Preparing a Resilient Future project alongside the Montana Organic Association, Northern Plains Sustainable Agriculture Society, Center for Rural Affairs, the Intertribal Agriculture Council, Nebraska Sustainable Agriculture Society, International Organic Inspectors Association, North Dakota State, and University of Wyoming

“The Preparing a Resilient Future project is unique in that it will help beginning farmers and ranchers fully explore the economic and productive viability of organic systems in the Northern Great Plains,” said NCAT Agricultural and Natural Resource Economist and Project Director Jeff Schahczenski. “NCAT has long-recognized that farmers and ranchers learn best from other farmers and ranchers.”

Unlike most programs focused on beginning farmers and ranchers, the new project targets medium to large-scale field crop and livestock operations. This project was selected in a national competition under the Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Development Program funded through the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

Researchers often assume that beginning organic farmers are smaller-scale operations because of the challenge of finding and acquiring affordable land and high cost of larger-scale machinery. Programs that help beginning farmers tend to focus on organic specialty crops like fruits, vegetables, tree nuts and flowers. Research has shown that only about 25 percent of Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Development programs train and educate beginning farmers to focus on commodity field crops such as, wheat, barley, lentils, chickpeas, dry peas and beans and oilseeds as well as beef livestock production.

Why Field Crops?
Interest in growing organic field crops is on the rise in the Northern Great Plains, and there appears to be good reason to think there would be markets for them.

Research shows that organic vegetable and specialty crop growers are meeting the national demand in the U.S. because there’s a net export of their products. At the same time, organically grown field crops are being imported into the U.S. at stable and sometimes increasing rates.

“Organic farming is not prescriptive,” said Jamie Ryan Lockman, Executive Director of the Montana Organic Association and Co-Project Director. “It is a system that requires diverse crops and diverse approaches subject to constant change. Montana is the number one organic wheat- and pulse-producing state in the country; it is uniquely positioned to provide education as well as opportunities to meet, learn, collaborate, mentor, do business, and more.”

Bringing in the Community
NCAT and the project collaborators will host intensive training sessions, one-on-one technical assistance, and on-farm workshops and tours. The training will be conducted in two-day “Organic Academy Road Show” sessions. Importantly, experienced organic farmers and ranchers are some of the lead trainers in this project.  

In addition to the farmers and ranchers taking part, the sessions will include other members of their agricultural communities, including civic leaders, county Extension agents and officials from USDA agencies such as the Farm Service Administration and the Natural Resources Conservation Service.

That outreach is vital as support for the beginning farmers and to introduce organic farming and ranching to the agricultural community in their area.

Opportunities for Diversity
Over the past seven years, NCAT has helped nearly 900 military veteran farmers through its Armed to Farm training projects around the country.

In addition, NCAT and MOA have undertaken many training workshops that have included tribal members, who make up about 2 percent of all new beginning farmers in the Northern Great Plains.

That emphasis on diversity will be reflected in the Preparing a Resilient Future project, which will include at least 50 veteran, limited-resource, tribal, and socially disadvantaged participants.

“NCAT is a longtime, trusted resource for providing accessible training to farmers and ranchers,” said NCAT Executive Director Steve Thompson. “Now we have the opportunity to formally partner with several leading organic and sustainable agriculture organizations and tribal nations to deliver high-quality training to beginning farmers, ranchers, and their community support systems across the Northern Great Plains, creating a recipe for success.”

The Preparing a Resilient Future project will serve farmers and ranchers in Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming.



Iowa Cattle Industry Leadership Summit Returns December 15 & 16

Iowa cattle producers have an opportunity to weigh in on cattle industry topics of concern at the Iowa Cattle Industry Leadership Summit and Annual Meeting. This year’s event will be held December 15 through 16 at Prairie Meadows in Altoona, Iowa.  

Retired U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Peter Shinn will kick off the event on December 15. His presentation, “Agriculture & National Defense: Funding & Conflict Management,” stems from an extensive career in the U.S. Air Force and agriculture industry. Attendees will also have an opportunity to sit in on educational sessions, covering time sensitive topics such as carbon and tax reform. A full trade show and opportunities for networking will feature new products and solutions for cow-calf and feedlot producers. The program will conclude on December 16 with a closing session, and the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association and Iowa Beef Industry Council annual meetings.

Leadership Summit is the culmination of our formal policy development process. Members are encouraged to participate in policy committee meetings, which provide the opportunity to review expiring resolutions and introduce new policy priorities for the Association. Decisions made by members in the policy committee meetings will be presented to the board for ratification at the annual meeting. Based on feedback we’ve received over the past year, we expect policy discussions to center on price discovery and transparency, beef labeling regulations, and tax reform.

Wednesday, December 15, 2021
9:00 a.m. - Registration & Trade Show Opens  
10:00 a.m. - "Agriculture & National Defense: Funding & Conflict Management" - Lt. Col. Peter Shinn, USAF, Ret.  
11:00 a.m. - Special Recognitions  
11:30 a.m. - Lunch/ Awards & Trade Show Break  
12:30 p.m. - Trade Show Break  
12:45 p.m. - Education Breakout Sessions:
Profiting from Soil Health - There is so much to uncover related to carbon sequestration and markets, cover crops and soil fertility. This session will educate producers on what's surfacing and how to best utilize your resources from leading experts on carbon.  
Navigating the Tax Code - With potential tax changes on the horizon, this educational session will focus on how to best prepare and understand the tax code. Experts will identify useful tools for cattle producers looking to minimize tax impact or make steps toward passing the farm to the next generation.
1:45 p.m. - Business Issues Committee Meeting  
2:45 p.m. - Cattle Production Committee Meeting
3:45 p.m. - Beef Products Committee Meeting  
5:00 p.m. - Trade Show Break & Social Hour  
6:00 p.m. - Iowa Cattlemen's Banquet Dinner  
6:15 p.m. - Iowa Cattlemen's Foundation Introduction & Scholarship Awards - Youth Beef Team & Maynard Jayne Scholarships
6:45 p.m. - Iowa Cattlemen's Foundation Silent Auction Results
7:00 p.m. - Outstanding Cattlemen Recognition - Commercial Producer & Hall of Fame
7:30 p.m. - Young Cattlemen's Leadership Program Round Up Reception - Invitation Only
- Sponsored by Kent Nutrition Group

Thursday, December 16, 2021
7:30 a.m. - Closing Session & Breakfast  
8:30 a.m. - Iowa Cattlemen's Annual Meeting  
9:30 a.m. - Iowa Beef Industry Council Annual Meeting

To register for the Iowa Cattle Industry Leadership Summit, visit www.iacattlemen.org. Registration is highly encouraged, and early bird rates will be offered through Friday, December 3. Hotel accommodations can be made online by following the link and entering the delegate code and password listed below. To receive the group rate, you will need to make reservations prior to Sunday, November 14.



Meristem and Western Iowa Agronomy Announce Agreement

Meristem Crop Performance Group, LLC (www.meristemag.com) and Jennifer Uphoff of Western Iowa Agronomy today announced a new strategic supply agreement to serve farmers in Western Iowa.

Under the new relationship, Jennifer Uphoff and her business, Western Iowa Agronomy, will carry the Meristem Crop Performance product line and become Meristem’s ally in helping Iowa farmers make the most of every dollar they spend on crop inputs.

“Jennifer Uphoff is known in Western Iowa for her thoughtful approach to providing practical, profitable solutions to the unique agronomic challenges in that area,” says Mitch Eviston, Meristem Founder and CEO, in announcing the agreement.  “We’re excited to be able to come alongside to help her serve her farmer-customers and also gain from her field experience and input as we add new products.”

Uphoff says she is building Western Iowa Agronomy to meet the specific needs of her farmer neighbors and she views adding the Meristem portfolio as an opportunity to help improve return on investment (ROI) for every farmer she serves.

“Meristem Crop Performance is specifically geared to helping growers gain a better ROI,” she says. “They are cutting out waste in the distribution system. Our alliance with them will enable us to help our growers make the most of every pass they make through the field – with high quality inputs at prices that help farmers make more money and keep more of what they earn.”

Western Iowa Agronomy will now offer Meristem’s product portfolio, including seed treatments under the brand RACEREADY™ and HOPPER THROTTLE, REVLINE™ plant growth regulators, TRUTRACK™ drift control, AQUADRAFT™ water conditioners and surfactants, UPSHIFT starter fertilizers and HOMESTRETCH™ nitrogen stabilizers, micronutrients, and foliar nutritionals. Of special interest is a line of biologicals Meristem is bringing to market, including EXCAVATOR, a new biological designed to break down tough crop residue.

Uphoff says her focus on helping her clients make the most of every acre they have, given the specific characteristics of their land and their goals, remains her key objective every day, and Meristem can be part of that solution.

“I’ve worked through the math and studied the product quality,” says says. “I’m very confident that Meristem’s product line will bring more opportunities for my farmer-customers.”

“We’ve set up Meristem to cut waste from the distribution channel while providing high-quality crop input additives to help American farmers reduce costs and increase yield, so they are more competitive in a global market,” says Eviston. “Now, with the help of Jennifer and Western Iowa Agronomy, we’ll be able to connect with more of the farmers who can benefit.”



2021 Ag Chemical Dealer Meetings to Provide Timely Updates

Updates on the latest crop production products and recommendations are the featured topics at two meetings sponsored by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach in Nevada on Dec. 8 and in Coralville on Dec. 15.

These meetings are an opportunity for ag input providers to meet with extension specialists to review current research, discuss new products and learn of new recommendations.

Topics for 2021 include a review of the growing season, corn rootworm management updates and three hands-on sessions that participants will rotate through. The hands-on sessions will feature a discussion on sprayer calibration, pesticide mixing order and pesticide incompatibility, and dry fertilizer applications.  

Early registration is $70 if received by midnight, Nov. 30 (Nevada) or Dec. 8 (Coralville). Late or on-site registration is $85. Visit www.aep.iastate.edu/acu for program details or to register online. For additional information contact an ISU Extension and Outreach field agronomist hosting the meeting.

Nevada – Dec. 8
    Meaghan Anderson, mjanders@iastate.edu, 319-331-0058.
    Angie Rieck-Hinz, amrieck@iastate.edu, 515-231-2830.
    Mike Witt, witt@iastate.edu, 641-747-2276.

Coralville – Dec. 15
    Rebecca Vittetoe, rka8@iastate.edu, 319-653-4811.
    Virgil Schmitt, vschmitt@iastate.edu, 563-263-5701.
    Clarabell Probasco, caknapp@iastate.edu, 641-664-2730.

Meetings are approved for Certified Crop Adviser credits (0.5 crop management, 1.0 nutrient management, and 4.0 pest management, which include the optional applicator training session). In addition, the meetings offer Iowa Commercial Pesticide Applicator recertification in categories 1A, 1B, 1C for calendar year 2021. Recertification is included in meeting registration. Attendance at the entire meeting is required for recertification.



Educational Webinar Series for Pork Industry on Livestock Mandatory Reporting - Materials Available Now

This week, the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) concluded it's three-part webinar series on Livestock Mandatory Reporting and other valuable USDA data and resources available to the Pork Industry.

During the three webinars, USDA and industry representatives provided an overview of LMR live hog and wholesale pork reporting, introduced other USDA resources applicable to the hog and pork industries, and explored how this information can inform real-world marketing decisions at the farm and other points in the supply chain.

If you are interested in these topics but were unable to join these events live--or if you would like to revisit the information provided--the webinar recordings and presentation materials are now available on the AMS website: https://www.ams.usda.gov/event/pork-LMR-webinars.

You will also find the webinar recordings on the AMS YouTube channel:

Pork LMR Webinar Part I
This webinar--the first in a three part series hosted by the Agricultural Marketing Service in October 2021--provides a history of USDA Livestock Mandatory Reporting, or LMR, for the pork industry and introduces you to additional data/reports available through USDA, including the Swine Contract Library and the National Agricultural Statistics Service’s hogs and pigs reports. Presenters: Neil Dierks - National Pork Producers Council; Lakisha Aller - USDA Market News; Travis Averill - USDA National Agricultural Statistics Agency; and Jennifer Hopes - USDA Packers and Stockyards.

Pork LMR Webinar Part II
This webinar--the second in a three part series hosted by the Agricultural Marketing Service in October 2021. USDA Market News will introduce you to LMR swine reports and address how data is reviewed and aggregated. CME Group will explain how LMR information is used in the CME Lean Hog Index. Representatives from NPPC and Iowa State University will explore how to use LMR swine reports as a risk management tool. Presenters: Kirk Hatfield - USDA Market News; Anne Krema - CME Group; Dr. Lee Schulz - Iowa State University; and Scott Hays - National Pork Producer Council.

Pork LMR Webinar Part III
The final webinar in a three part series hosted by the Agricultural Marketing Service in October 2021, this webinar covers USDA Livestock Mandatory Reporting Wholesale Pork Reports, and the methodology of the USDA Pork Carcass Cutout. CME Group explains how LMR data is utilized in the Pork Cutout futures contract, and industry representatives share how wholesale pork reports are used for economic analysis and forecasting. Presenters: Dillan Hull - USDA Market News; Anne Krema - CME Group; Dr. Steve Meyer - Partners for Production Agriculture; and John Nalivka - Sterling Marketing, Inc.



ClearFlame Engine Technologies Secures $17 Million to Decarbonize Long-Haul Trucking and Other Diesel-Driven Industries

ClearFlame Engine Technologies, a startup dedicated to the development of net-zero engine technology, announced today that it has secured $17 million in Series A financing, which will enable commercialization of the company’s innovative engine technology for the long-haul trucking, agriculture and power generation sectors. The financing was led by Breakthrough Energy Ventures with participation from Mercuria, John Deere and Clean Energy Ventures.

The company’s unique engine technology enables low-carbon, renewable fuels such as ethanol to be easily integrated into existing diesel engine platforms, offering a lower-emission, lower-cost solution than diesel fuel. A ClearFlame-enabled engine meets the performance and efficiency requirements for diesel engines while significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions and particulate matter, helping to improve air quality and mitigate climate change.

“Our technology will enable the rapid decarbonization of diesel-dominated sectors, and this funding advances our path to commercialization with demonstration trucks on the road by the end of this year, in parallel with agricultural equipment and generator set deployments in 2022,” said BJ Johnson, ClearFlame CEO and cofounder. “Our investors share a common mission to support solutions that drive rapid carbon mitigation and ClearFlame’s technology is achieving that through a platform that can be deployed globally this decade.”

“While we’re excited about greater adoption of EVs and hydrogen-fueled mobility, we need different types of innovation to address hard to decarbonize industries,” said Carmichael Roberts, Breakthrough Energy Ventures. “ClearFlame’s engine modification technology makes it easy and economical to move away from fossil fuels, while keeping the efficiency and durability of the diesel engine – it’s a win-win.”

“As one of the world’s largest commodities traders, Mercuria was an early adopter of bringing environmental products, including ethanol, into its trading portfolio. Biofuel refining enables Mercuria to directly manage quality, supply and price risk. Mercuria’s strategic investment in ClearFlame’s technology complements its continued commitment to biofuels as part of the energy transition,” said Boris Bystrov, Mercuria. “We strongly believe ClearFlame is positioned to make decarbonization in heavy-duty industry cost-effective by using existing liquid fueling infrastructure as the catalyst, which can drive more rapid market adoption.”

Previously, ClearFlame has received $4 million in non-dilutive and grant funding from the Iowa, Minnesota, Kansas and Illinois Corn Growers Associations, the National Science Foundation, the Department of Energy, and others. The company completed its $3 million Series Seed financing in early 2020, led by Clean Energy Ventures.



RFA to COP26: Ethanol a Smart Choice Right Now for Decarbonization Goals

As leaders from around the world descend on Glasgow, Scotland for the 26th U.N. Climate Change Conference, also referred to as COP26, the Renewable Fuels Association reminds them that ethanol and other renewable fuels are available—today—to jumpstart global decarbonization efforts. A new one-page fact sheet released by RFA today spotlights recent research and data proving that ethanol is an immediate solution for cutting greenhouse gas emissions from transportation.

“Ethanol already cuts carbon emissions in half compared to gasoline; with smart policy measures, ethanol can do even more,” said RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “Ethanol can serve as a zero-emissions fuel for cars and trucks while also helping to decarbonize the aviation, marine, and stationary power generation sectors. That’s why our members have unanimously committed to achieving a net-zero carbon footprint by 2050 or sooner. We urge world leaders gathering for COP26 to take a closer look at ethanol and encourage them to include a prominent role for renewable liquid fuels in their national decarbonization plans.”

In a July letter to President Biden, RFA’s members pledged that ethanol will achieve a net-zero carbon footprint by mid-century, if not well before, as the supply chain adopts CCUS technologies; uses more renewable energy to power biorefineries; and expands carbon-efficient feedstock production practices.

At the same time, they noted it also requires simple action from Washington. To support the achievement of its goals, RFA encouraged the administration to move forward with several key policy initiatives: development of a national Clean Fuel Standard; deployment of more flex-fuel vehicles; and support for broad adoption of carbon capture, utilization, and sequestration technologies.

Ethanol producers from across the country, from California to New York, have signed onto this pledge, Cooper noted, and it is featured in an ad campaign currently running in select Morning Consult email newsletters.

Recent Research on Ethanol and Carbon Emissions:
-     In January, scientists affiliated with Harvard, MIT, and Tufts University published an analysis finding that corn starch ethanol produced in the United States reduces GHG emissions by 32 to 62 percent compared to gasoline, with a central best estimate of 46 percent.
-    In February, Life Cycle Associates released a report showing that the use of ethanol and other biofuels under the Renewable Fuel Standard has reduced GHG emissions by 980 million metric tons since 2008.
-    And in May, experts at the Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory published a study demonstrating that average corn ethanol reduces GHG emissions by 44 to 52 percent compared to gasoline, right in line with the findings from the January study.

For more information, visit EthanolRFA.org/pledge.



Growth Energy Welcomes Inclusion of $1 Billion for Biofuels Infrastructure

Today, Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor thanked President Biden and Congressional leaders for including $1 billion in biofuels infrastructure investments in his proposed Build Back Better budget reconciliation framework.

“President Biden’s proposal to invest $1 billion in biofuels infrastructure is a welcome acknowledgment from this administration that access to higher blends of biofuels at the pump makes a real difference in decarbonizing transportation,” said Skor. “Recent research shows that a nationwide E15 standard would reduce CO2 emissions by more than 17.62 million tons – the equivalent of taking 3.85 million cars off the road each year. Investing in fuel infrastructure that allows more American drivers to fill up on low-carbon biofuel blends, like E15, is crucial to helping our nation achieve our clean energy goals today.”



Statement from Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on President Biden’s Framework for the Build Back Better Act

Today, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack released the below statement following President Biden’s announcement of the framework for Build Back Better.

“To create millions of good-paying jobs, grow our economy, build American competitiveness, and secure our children’s future, we must invest in the human infrastructure of our nation: America’s working families. President Biden’s Build Back Better framework makes a remarkable and transformational investment in America’s working families by lowering costs and strengthening the middle-class.

“The Build Back Better framework is the largest effort in American history to combat the climate crisis, while spurring economic opportunity with innovation and good jobs here at home, better positioning us to compete globally. Agriculture can lead the way in the fight on climate with climate smart agriculture and forestry practices that sequester carbon, reduce emissions and create new and better market opportunities for producers. With significant investments in resources for farmers, ranchers, and forestland owners, this bill provides a host of new tools to deploy important conservation practices and the research essential to inform them. The Forest Service will gain long overdue and significant resources to aggressively manage our forests, reduce fire risks, and keep impacted communities safe.

“Rural America will benefit from meaningful investments to help pave the way in clean and renewable energy infrastructure and production and energy efficiency improvements that will foster new job and market opportunities. The new Rural Partnership Program will provide catalytic investments and much-needed technical assistance to rural and tribal communities and rural-serving organizations that are too often unable to access and leverage the federal resources they need to create opportunity and compete in a globalized world. These investments will put new tools in the toolbox for leveraging the additional funding toward water, housing, and clean energy essential to 21st century infrastructure, diversified rural economies, and prosperous communities. Investments in Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority-serving institutions will support underserved communities in modernizing research infrastructure.

“This framework is also transformative for working parents and kids. It will help children reach their full potential by investing in nutrition security year-round, during the school year and the summer months. It also includes funding to further improve the nutritional quality of meals served in school through grants and incentives. With the largest investment in childcare in the nation’s history, universal and free preschool for all 3- and 4-year-olds, and an extension of the expanded Child Tax Credit, families can worry less about the costs of raising a child. With the single largest and most comprehensive investment in affordable housing – including rural housing – in history, and the biggest expansion of affordable health care in a decade, families can focus on improving their health and economic well-being rather than struggling to get by.

“There is no question that President Biden’s Build Back Better framework is for the American people above all else. This is an extraordinary and historic moment for our nation that will transform the lives of millions and millions of Americans and touch every area of our country for decades to come.”



National Corn Growers Association Announces Winners of the Consider Corn Challenge III Contest

Today, the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) announced the Consider Corn Challenge III winners at the Advanced Biofuels Leadership Conference in San Francisco, California. The six winners were chosen because their technologies can improve a product or process, scale-up and produce biobased materials from field corn.

“We know we produce an affordable, abundant and sustainable crop that can be used for a variety of uses and applications, which is why we held the contest,” said NCGA Market Development Action Team (MDAT) Chair and Iowa farmer Bob Hemesath. “The value of corn as an industrial feedstock continues to improve thanks to advancements in technology, production and logistics efficiency. Corn is the perfect solution for biobased products, especially as society becomes increasingly interested in more sustainable products.”

The six winners of the Consider Corn Challenge III are the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Golden, Colorado, BioAstra Technologies from Quebec, Canada, Catalyxx of Chesterfield, Missouri, Danimer Scientific based in Bainbridge, Georgia, Låkril Technologies out of the University of Minnesota, and Sylvatex from San Francisco, California.

More about the winners’ submissions:

National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL):
    What: Acrylonitrile to Carbon Fiber
    Uses: Lightweight replacement for steel and aluminum in products like vehicles

BioAstra Technologies:
    What: Smart and recyclable formulations based on cellulose and PLA.
    Uses: Plastic bags, surgical masks, and Phase-Change Materials.

Catalyxx:
    What: Bio n-butanol and other longer chain linear alcohols from ethanol
    Uses: n-Butanol is used to make other chemicals (butyl acetate and butyl acrylates), valuable as a solvent or as an ingredient in formulated products such as cosmetics. The C4+ alcohol mix can be used for diesel and marine fuels.

Danimer Scientific:
    What: PHA from corn oil
    Uses: Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are biodegradable, biobased polymers that can be used for plastics

Låkril Technologies:
    What: Bio-acrylic acid made from lactic acid
    Uses: Bio-acrylic acid can be used for bio-polyacrylic acid (PAA) as super absorbers in hygiene products & diapers and for bio-acrylate polymers in paints and industrial coatings systems.

Sylvatex (SVX):
    What: Sustainable solutions made from biomass-derived oxygenates and free fatty acids useful as alternative diesel fuel or specialty chemicals for the production of cathodes used in lithium-ion batteries.    
    Uses: Off-road diesel, cathodes for battery production

Previous winners of the Consider Corn Challenge contests have scaled up to the next phase of development, received additional grant funding, entered into joint agreements and obtained registration for state biobased production incentives.

If all 15 winners of the Consider Corn Challenge I, II & III reached full commercialization with products available in the marketplace, the potential for additional corn demand could be approximately 3.4 billion bushels.

“This contest allows us to be more innovative in meeting the needs of our customers, who want more sustainable, biobased products,” Hemesath added. “Farmers have made great strides over the years to utilize the technology that allows them to grow more on less land using fewer resources per bushel. There is enough corn grown to be able to meet the needs for food, feed, fuel and new uses.”

The total prize pool was U.S. $150,000, split equally between winners.