Weekend Ag News Roundup - August 7

 U.S. Congressman Flood Discusses Beef Industry Priorities during Cuming County Roundtable

On Wednesday, U.S. Congressman Mike Flood visited Albers Feedlot in Wisner. Located in Cuming County, Albers Feedlot has a 100 year history that spans five generations.

"It was an honor to visit with Albers Feedlot and Nebraska Cattlemen in Wisner to get more perspective on the current market and how inflation is hurting the cattle industry. Together, we can beat the Biden Administration’s disastrous economic policy and regulatory overreach," said Congressman Flood.

"Thank you to Congressman Flood for listening to our priorities. We're a fifth generation family business that has been at the heart of the beef industry in Wisner for a century. It is important that our representation in Washington, D.C. strive to understand the citizens they represent. We are excited about working with Congressman Flood on priorities that will grow our rural communities and small businesses in Cuming County and beyond," said Todd Schroeder, Albers Feedlot

During the visit, Albers Feedlot leadership and Nebraska Cattlemen members briefed Congressman Flood on the effects of the Biden Administration's policies on the cattle industry, including the impact of inflation on their businesses and communities. Additionally, the Congressman received a briefing on the issues related to cattle markets, price discovery, and other industry priorities.

Beef is Nebraska's top industry. According to the Nebraska Department of Agriculture, Cuming County is the second largest county for beef production in Nebraska.



Grants help fund urban ag program at Northeast Community College

Grants from the National Science Foundation and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service will help with the startup costs of an urban agriculture degree program at Northeast Community College in Norfolk. The grants have a combined value of more than $700,000.

The urban farm plot will be located on a 10-acre strip on the east side of Victory Road just north of the Norfolk Regional Center. Dr. Trentee “Tee” Bush, horticulture instructor at Northeast, is the advisor and lead instructor for the program. She joined the Northeast faculty in August of 2019.

“When I first got here, former Dean Corinne Morris and I were trying to create a program that would unite the agriculture and horticulture departments a little more closely,” Bush said. “That conversation happened just previous to Covid, which was a really perfect time because we noticed worldwide, or at least across the US, people started gardening more and they started staying home and figuring out how they could solve their own food problems and their own aesthetic problems.”

Bush said the new associate of applied science degree is about half agriculture and half horticulture. Students will take horticulture classes such as horticulture science, plant propagation and nursery and green house management and agriculture offerings including soils, pest management, entomology, and advanced fertility. Electives may include classes in landscape design or other areas in which the student has a special interest.

The plot will include some educational applied research projects, and Northeast Ag Program Director Jill Heemstra said some are nearly ready to implement.

“We specifically looked at establishment of buffalo grass in different ways,” she said. “Whether it be seeds or plugs, how densely you plant the plugs, and just follow those practices so anyone interested in establishing a less intensive lawn can see how that process might play out.”

“And we are also looking at a composting facility,” Heemstra continued. “We will have waste from the college farm and manure from the feedlot. We are going to approach the cafeteria to see about compostable food waste and have demonstrations that help people see what kinds of things you should and shouldn’t put in these compost piles.”

“That site will change all the time and that is the intention of this place,” Bush added. “It’s not going to be something we design in year one, build in year two and then keep it exactly the same. It’s like somebody’s back yard. Every year we might move something. It’s meant to be a living space.”

Bush said one of the first activities planned for the site is planting fruit trees as a long-term investment.

“We have some permeable pavers we are going to be testing to see how people can park on permeable pavers. And we’re going to get some kind of high tech fun little toys that will be mobile. We will be able to pick them up and take them with us, including to area high schools.”

Heemstra said two of those high tech “toys” Bush mentioned are a Tertill automatic weeder and a FarmBot robotic raised bed system. Tertill uses height to identify plants from weeds. A FarmBot is an open hardware system that assists with planting, watering, soil testing and weeding.

Another Northeast staff member working with the urban agriculture program is Precision Ag Trainer Courtney Nelson. Nelson’s job ordinarily involves sharing Northeast programming with area high schools and at public venues, so she said she is learning new applications for her skills.

“One of the things we have been trying to get going again is a small tractor with an auto steer system on it,” Nelson said. “We’re trying to see how we can utilize that with the urban farm and with my other job, teaching high schoolers. We also have soil moisture sensors that go three feet into the ground and kick back to our phones or our computers, showing us how much moisture is in the soil. Right now we use those on the college farm in corn and soybean fields, but Tee is going to show us how we can scale that down and use it in smaller plots.”

Bush hopes the community makes use of the new urban farm on the Northeast campus.

“My vision is that this will be a fully public site as long as the public respects that,” she said. “We hope to have informal learning opportunities for Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts to be out there, 4-H, After Shock and other after school programs.”

“We also hope that we see some older generations taking advantage of it,” she continued. “There could be some physical therapy or geriatric memory care. We also hope to invite some federal and state agencies like the NRD (natural resources districts) and the NRCS (Natural Resources Conservation Service), and the Center for Rural Affairs to use this space as an outdoor teaching classroom to show off some of their applied research.”

And it would certainly not only be ag students at the College utilizing the plot.

“I could even see the choir students going outside,” Bush said. “I could see recreation or art students going out there and learning to use outdoor spaces. Imagine Early Childhood Education having a day with a bunch of preschool kids out there, learning how to teach in that space. I don’t want us to ever think of this space as ‘Urban Ag’s Space.’ I want us to think about it as Northeast Community College’s space and any major should be able to be out there.”

Bush encourages students of all ages to consider the urban agriculture program.

“Anybody who has made that shift to really being aware and involved in their own landscape, or if they have reached a stage in life where they are at home more and have a need to be in their outdoor space. I encourage them to explore this,” she said. “They don’t have to get the full degree. They can take a few classes.”

Students interested in learning more about the urban agriculture degree program at Northeast may check online at northeast.edu/degrees-and-programs/urban-agriculture/aas. They may also contact Bush at (402) 844-7388, trentee@northeast.edu.   



Webinar: Preconditioning to Prepare for Weaning Calves
Presented by the Center for Agricultural Profitability at the University of Nebraska
With: Randy Saner, Beef Educator, Nebraska Extension; Lindsay Waechter-Mead, Beef Educator, Nebraska Extension; and Travis Mulliniks, Associate Professor in Range Cow Production Systems, UNL.
Aug 11, 2022 12:00 PM

Given persistent drought conditions across much of Nebraska, cow-calf producers in the state may be considering early weaning of their calves. This webinar will present strategies for preconditioning those calves to help the weaning process go more smoothly, including feeding practices, vaccinations and other elements to consider prior to weaning.

Get more information and register at www.cap.unl.edu/webinars.



Nebraska Extension Provides In-field Training in August on Corn and Soybean Production

Nebraska Extension is providing in-field training opportunities during the Crop Management Diagnostic Clinics. Training includes the Tuesday, Aug. 23 Midwest Soybean Production Clinic and Thursday, Aug. 24 Midwest Corn Production Clinic.

The clinics offer the following:
    Hands-on, in-field training with CCA credits.
    Learn from the unbiased expertise of university specialists.
    Up-to-date, current, research-based information is presented.
    One-on-one attention, actual on-site plot demonstrations, and beneficial interaction with other participants. The small manageable groups promote interaction between presenters and participants.
    The training sessions consistently receive excellent reviews.
    Held at a site specifically developed for the training at the University of Nebraska Eastern Nebraska Research and Extension Center near Mead, Nebraska. (A short drive — 50 minutes from Eppley Airfield-Omaha or 35 minutes from the Lincoln Airport)
    Money-back guarantee if not completely satisfied with the training.

Corn clinic
Eight CCA credits have been approved for growers and other stakeholders attending this year's Crop Management Diagnostic Clinics in Mead.

Participants will see a growing season in one place at the training sessions. They will observe plots with crop growth and development at a range of vegetative/reproductive growth stages. Discount available if attending both soybean and corn sessions.
Aug. 23 Midwest Soybean Production Clinic

Topics include:
    Cultural practices
    Insect management in soybeans
    Soybean plant pathology
    Soil fertility
    IPM for successful weed management in soybean
    Soybean irrigation management
    Effects of planting decisions
    Cover crops

Eight total CCA credits have been approved (two crop management, one nutrient management, one soil and water, and four pest management).
Aug. 24 Midwest Corn Production Clinic
Topics include:
    Agronomy cultural practices
    Genetics/Production
    Insect damage in corn
    Plant pathology
    Soil fertility
    IPM for successful weed management in corn
    Irrigation management
    Effects of planting decisions
    Cover crops in corn

Eight total CCA credits have been approved (two crop management, one nutrient management, one soil and water, and four pest management).

Early registration is recommended to reserve a seat and resource materials. If registering for one clinic, cost is $115 by Saturday, Aug. 20 and $140 after. A two-day discount is provided for those registering for both corn and soybean clinics; cost is $170 by Aug. 20 and $220 after.

Participants will meet at the August N. Christenson Research and Education Building at the University’s Eastern Nebraska Research and Extension Center near Mead, Nebraska.

Timeframes for each clinic are:
    Soybean Production Clinic — 8:25 a.m. to 5:10 p.m. with registration at 8 a.m.
    Corn Production Clinic — 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. with 7:30 a.m. registration.

Visit the website for additional information or to register https://enrec.unl.edu/crop, or contact Nebraska Extension CMDC Programs, 1071 County Road G, Ithaca, NE 68033, call (800) 529-8030, email Cheyenne Cromy or fax (402) 624-8010.



NEBRASKA 2022 FARM REAL ESTATE VALUE AND CASH RENT

Nebraska's farm real estate value, a measurement of the value of all land and buildings on farms, increased from 2021, according to USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Farm real estate value for 2022 averaged $3,750 per acre, up $650 per acre (up 21%) from last year.

Cropland value increased 21% from last year to $6,000 per acre. Dryland cropland value averaged $4,800 per acre, $810 higher than last year. Irrigated cropland value averaged $7,950 per acre, $1,420 above a year ago. Pastureland, at $1,240 per acre, was $160 higher than the previous year.

Cash rents paid to landlords in 2022 for cropland increased from last year. Irrigated cropland rent averaged $260.00 per acre, $16.00 above last year. Dryland cropland rent averaged $162.00 per acre, $10.00 higher than a year earlier. Pasture rented for cash averaged $26.00 per acre, $1.00 above the previous year.

County level averages of 2022 cash rents paid to landlords will be released on August 26, 2022 and will be available through NASS Quick Stats, located at http://quickstats.nass.usda.gov/.



IOWA 2022 FARM REAL ESTATE VALUE AND CASH RENT

Cropland cash rent paid to Iowa landlords in 2022 averaged $256.00 per acre according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Non-irrigated cropland rent averaged $256.00 per acre, $23.00 above last year. Irrigated cropland rent averaged $252.00 per acre, $23.00 above 2021. Pasture rented for cash averaged $59.50 per acre, $1.50 above the previous year.

Iowa's farm real estate value, a measurement of the value of all land and buildings on farms, averaged $9,400 per acre in 2022, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Land Values 2022 Summary. This was up 21 percent, $1,660 per acre higher than last year's value.

Cropland, at $9,350 per acre, was $1,540 higher than last year. Pasture, at $3,300 per acre, was $280 above last year.



U.S. Agricultural Land Values Highlights

The United States farm real estate value, a measurement of the value of all land and buildings on farms, averaged $3,800 per acre for 2022, up $420 per acre (12.4 percent) from 2021. The United States cropland value averaged $5,050 per acre, an increase of $630 per acre (14.3 percent) from the previous year. The United States pasture value averaged $1,650 per acre, an increase of $170 per acre (11.5 percent) from 2021.



IDALS: Funding Awarded for New Phase of Seed Corn Cover Crops Project

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig today announced the funding of the next-phase of a collaborative water quality and soil conservation project that seeks to increase the utilization of cover crops on seed corn production acres. Partnering with the Iowa Seed Association and their members as well as farmers and landowners, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship will provide the next phase of funding to expand the planting of cover crops. Cover crops usage is a proven conservation practice highlighted in the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy that helps to conserve soil and protect water quality.

“Improved soil health and better water quality are two excellent benefits of planting cover crops,” said Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig. “We’re seeing significant growth in cover crop usage statewide, and I’m really pleased that we can help fund the next phase of this successful initiative and expand our partnership to get even more acres covered.”

Seed corn production lends itself to an earlier harvest, thereby providing an even larger window for establishing cover crops in the late summer and fall after the acres are harvested. The next 3-year phase of this project, funded at $226,750, will also incorporate edge-of-field (EOF) practice outreach and installations within the statewide network of seed corn producers. More than 30,000 acres are enrolled in the program in 2022 and an estimated one-third of acres utilized for seed corn production in Iowa are now utilizing cover crops.



First-Half Beef Exports on $1 Billion/Month Pace; Pork Exports Below Last Year

U.S. beef exports remained on a red-hot pace in June, topping $1 billion for the fifth time this year (after twice reaching $1 billion in 2021), according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). Exports of U.S. pork remained below last year’s large totals in June, while lamb exports continued to trend higher.

Broad-based growth fuels torrid first-half pace for beef export volume and value
June beef exports totaled 130,638 metric tons (mt), down slightly from the record volume posted in May but up 16% year-over-year and the fourth largest on record. Export value was $1.05 billion in June, also down slightly from the May record but 31% above last year. For the first half of 2022, beef exports increased 6% from a year ago to 743,904 mt, valued at $6.19 billion (up 33%).

While beef export growth has been largely driven by major Asian markets such as South Korea, China/Hong Kong, Japan and Taiwan, exports are also trending higher to the ASEAN region, the Caribbean, Central America, Europe and the Middle East.

"The first-half performance for U.S. beef exports was nothing short of remarkable, especially considering the growing economic headwinds in many key markets and continued shipping and logistical challenges,” said USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom. "The rebound in the global foodservice sector has provided a tremendous lift in 2022, even though it is still far from a full recovery in many Asian and European destinations. We definitely see opportunities for further growth, though inflationary pressure and the stronger U.S. dollar continue to raise concerns about consumer spending power."

Pork exports lower overall, but surging to Mexico, Colombia and DR
Pork exports reached 219,131 mt in June, down 8% from a year ago, valued at $649.9 million (down 7%). First-half exports were 18% below last year at 1.29 million mt, valued at $3.62 billion (down 16%).

Exports to leading market Mexico are well ahead of last year’s record pace, and first-half shipments were also record-large to the Dominican Republic. Exports are on a record value pace for Colombia and export value is also trending higher to South Korea. While pork shipments to China/Hong Kong are down significantly from a year ago, variety meat exports have regained some momentum.

"The decline in first-half pork exports was not unexpected, given the recovery in China’s domestic production and its reduced need for imports,” Halstrom said. "The good news is China’s hog price is up about 40% since mid-June and we are seeing some rebound in China’s demand for pork variety meat. Meanwhile pork shipments to Mexico remain on a record-shattering pace and demand has also strengthened in recent months in markets such as Korea, Colombia and the Caribbean. In these key destinations, the gains U.S. pork has made in the processing and retail sectors are being complemented by stronger sales in foodservice."

Outstanding first half for U.S. lamb exports
June exports of U.S. lamb increased 56% from a year ago to 1,688 mt, while export value soared 84% to just under $3 million. First-half exports increased 48% from a year ago to 10,056 mt, while value jumped 70% to $15.4 million. Muscle cut exports increased 83% in volume (1,121 mt) and 86% in value ($6.8 million).

First-half exports to the Caribbean increased 95% in volume (545 mt) and 109% in value ($4.1 million). Demand for both muscle cuts and variety meat increased in leading market Mexico, with total exports reaching 9,154 mt (up 45% from a year ago) valued at $9.6 million (up 61%).



NMPF Commends Climate Provisions in Senate’s Inflation Reduction Act

The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) commended the inclusion of $20 billion in new funding for USDA conservation programs in the Inflation Reduction Act which passed the Senate today.

The funding, spearheaded by Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow, D-MI, will help dairy farmers advance their proactive sustainability leadership by enhancing farm bill conservation programs with an emphasis on key dairy areas of opportunity, including feed management. The new investments will provide important voluntary technical assistance to dairy farmers who undertake such stewardship practices, including targeted new funding that emphasizes critical farm practices that yield significant environmental benefits for dairy.

“Dairy farmers seize environmental sustainability opportunities whenever possible,” said Jim Mulhern, president and CEO of NMPF. “The funding increases in this package will better position dairy farmers to effectively implement the dairy sector’s Net Zero Initiative and fulfill its 2050 environmental stewardship goals. We are very grateful to Chairwoman Stabenow for her success and leadership in securing this meaningful new conservation investment, which will be a game-changer for dairy.”

Dairy farmers in 2020 committed in their Net Zero Initiative to become greenhouse gas neutral or better by 2050, while also maximizing water quality and optimizing water use around the country.

Key wins for dairy among the climate-smart ag provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act include:
-    $8.45 billion in new funds for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, which provides important technical assistance to dairy farmers, targeted toward stewardship practices that can reduce greenhouse gas emissions;
-    $25 million annually for Conservation Innovation Trials, with new funding targeted toward initiatives that use feed and diet management to reduce the enteric methane emissions that can comprise roughly one-third of a dairy farm’s greenhouse gas footprint. NMPF is excited for this opportunity to amplify its focus on reducing enteric emissions; and
-    $6.75 billion in new funds for the Regional Conservation Partnership Program, which funds locally developed, targeted partnership projects, emphasizing initiatives that incentivize or target reduced methane emissions.

NMPF and the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives last year led a coalition of 12 agricultural and conservation organizations on a letter advocating for significant new funding for climate-smart agricultural practices while opposing tax policy proposals that could have undermined the transfer of family farms from one generation to the next. NMPF is pleased that those tax policy proposals are not included in this legislation and thanks the many members in both parties who advocated against them.

NMPF also looks forward to continuing to work with both Republicans and Democrats to enact climate and conservation policy into law. Last year, the Senate passed the Growing Climate Solutions Act, authored by Senator Mike Braun, R-IN, and Chairwoman Stabenow by a vote of 92-8. More recently, the House Agriculture Committee adopted the SUSTAINS Act authored by Ranking Member Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson, R-PA, by a voice vote. Last month, NMPF worked with Reps. Jim Baird, R-IN, and Jimmy Panetta, D-CA, to secure new funding for animal feed additive approvals in pending appropriations legislation.



USDA Publishes Organic Livestock and Poultry Standards Proposed Rule

Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) previewed the Organic Livestock and Poultry Standards (OLPS) proposed rule in the Federal Register. With this publication, USDA proposes requirements for organic poultry and livestock living conditions, care, transport, and slaughter.

This new proposed OLPS rule would change the USDA organic regulations to promote a fairer and more competitive market for organic livestock producers, by making sure that certified USDA livestock products are produced to the same consistent standard.

“This proposed Organic Livestock and Poultry Standards rule demonstrates USDA’s strong commitment to America’s organic producers,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “We encourage producers, processors, and consumers to submit written comments about the rule so that we can work together to create a fairer, more competitive, and transparent food system.”

“This rulemaking is an opportunity to ensure consumers’ expectations align with the enforced organic standards, building trust across the supply chain and leveling the playing field for producers,” said Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Jenny Lester Moffitt. “With this proposed rule, USDA is seeking to establish and clarify clear standards for organic livestock and poultry production.”

When finalized, USDA’s National Organic Program (NOP) will oversee the rule’s implementation. NOP develops and enforces clear standards to give farmers, ranchers, and businesses a level playing field. In partnership with USDA-accredited certifying agents, NOP’s oversight supports growth of the organic market, including farmers and businesses interested in transitioning to organic.

The written comment period will close at midnight 60 days from publication. NOP will also host a public webinar listening session on August 19, 2022, to hear oral comments on the proposed rule.

More information about the proposed Organic Livestock and Poultry Standards rule and how to make comments is available on the AMS website https://www.ams.usda.gov/rules-regulations/organic-livestock-and-poultry-standards.



USDA Extends Public Comment Period to August 23 and Posts Public Webinar for the Proposed Rule to Promote Transparency in Poultry Grower Contracting and Tournaments

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is extending the comment period for its proposed rule titled Transparency in Poultry Grower Contracting and Tournaments for an additional 15 days through August 23, 2022. The proposed rule published in the Federal Register June 8, 2022, with comments originally due on or before August 8, 2022. USDA is accepting comments at www.regulations.gov. We underscore that you may submit comments anonymously.

USDA is taking these steps to help ensure the integrity of the Federal rulemaking process and to ensure all parties have the opportunity to fully comment.

“There is fear throughout the meat and poultry industry as we saw earlier this year at two separate Congressional hearings where witnesses did not testify due to concerns of retaliation,” Vilsack said. “But it is still critical that we hear the full story, so we are highlighting the option for comments to be provided anonymously.”

Information regarding the proposed rule and commenting process is also now available in a recorded webinar, posted on the AMS website. The webinar provides information regarding the proposed rule to protect American poultry growers from abuses and enhance competitiveness in U.S. livestock and poultry markets. Information is included in the webinar to instruct anyone who wishes to comment but may want to do so anonymously.

“We fully respect the ability for all parties to communicate and share their views—with each other, with third parties, and with USDA,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “However, it is paramount that all parties respect different viewpoints and guard against coercive actions that compromise the free flow of facts and viewpoints into important agency actions.”

“We take the public comment process seriously and want all members of the public to freely express their views on our proposed regulations. I am very interested in hearing from those with knowledge of any party prohibiting the free expression of views during the public comment process,” said Secretary Vilsack.

Separately from the comment process under the proposed rule, we underscore that complaints of undue or unreasonable prejudices or disadvantages or retaliation can be reported through the USDA-DOJ joint complaint portal: farmerfairness.gov. Reports filed through the portal will be received by the Packers and Stockyards Division (PSD) of the USDA and DOJ, which may refer violations to the USDA’s Office of the Inspector General as appropriate. Tips, complaints or concerns through the USDA-DOJ joint complaint portal can be made anonymously and, if contact information is provided, confidentiality will be protected to the fullest extent possible under the law.

Individuals may also report potential tips, complaints, and concerns to PSD via the PSD Hotline at 1-833-Dial PSD (1-833-342-5773) or directly to the USDA’s Office of the Inspector General or 202-690-1202.

About the proposed rule:
The Transparency in Poultry Grower Contracting and Tournaments rule proposes to require that live poultry dealers, including integrators, disclose key information to poultry growers regarding the financial returns the grower can expect from their business relationship with the dealer and information about inputs they receive, including a comparison of inputs received by other growers in the same tournament.



Johnson Named NPPC Director of Food Policy
 
Dr. Ashley Johnson is the National Pork Producers Council’s new director of food policy, focusing on in-plant and post-harvest issues. She began her duties Monday, working out of the Washington, D.C., public-policy office, and reporting to NPPC Science and Technology Legal Counsel Andrew Bailey.
 
Johnson comes to NPPC from Zoetis, where she was a technical service veterinarian for more than five years. Among many duties, she worked with the animal health company’s public affairs department to disseminate information to its pork team and customers on legislation and regulatory actions that could affect the pork industry.

Prior to that, Johnson was staff veterinarian for PFFJ (Pigs for Farmer John), where she was responsible for supporting herd health programs for the farrow-to-finish system, which had 60,000 sows in four states. (While she was there, PFFJ was owned by Hormel Foods, then sold to Smithfield Foods.) Additionally, Johnson had externships with Murphy-Brown, the swine production subsidiary of Smithfield Foods, and with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Johnson earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinarian Medicine and a bachelor’s degree in animal and veterinarian science from Clemson University. She did post-doctoral work with the North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, where she served as Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome area regional control coordinator for Johnston and Moore counties in North Carolina.



Growth Energy Testifies on Ozone Implementation Plans for Denver Metro Area

Today, Growth Energy Senior Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Chris Bliley testified before the Denver Regional Air Quality Council on the role higher blends of biofuels can play in reducing emissions of cars on the road today and improving air quality compared to regular gasoline.  

“We understand that the Denver Metro/North Front Range area faces air quality challenges specifically related to ozone precursor emissions and appreciate the Regional Air Quality Council’s deliberate and thoughtful approach to strategies to address these challenges,” said Bliley. “As the region eyes changes to their fuel and a move to reformulated gasoline, we offer several comments on the potential to use higher biofuel blends to help improve air quality, reduce consumer costs, and grow Colorado jobs.  

“As data continues to show, the use of higher biofuel blends such as E15 can help the Council’s efforts to improve air quality. In fact, the California Air Resources Board in conjunction with the University of California-Riverside just published results of a 20-vehicle study on the emissions of E15 with reformulated gasoline. The results show that E15 showed a “decreasing ozone forming potential trend”, “strong, statistically significant” reductions of particulates, as well as significant reductions of carbon monoxide. These are precisely the types of reductions that would help the region as it strives to get into attainment.”

Background
The Denver metro area continues to face air quality challenges and is considering changes to their state implementation plan (SIP) including a likely move to reformulated gasoline (RFG) to help get into attainment with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) national ambient air quality standards for ozone (Ozone NAAQS). If adopted as part of a revised SIP, reformulated gasoline provides vapor pressure parity allowing E15 to be sold year-round. Today, E15 is available at 46 fueling locations in Colorado.