Thursday August 2 Ag News

Nebraska partners to fight antimicrobial resistance

The University of Nebraska–Lincoln will help lead a new national institute addressing antimicrobial resistance, an increasingly urgent global public health concern, the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities and the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges announced July 26.

The university is partnering with Iowa State University, the University of Nebraska Medical Center and the University of Iowa. The proposal was selected from among nine submitted by major universities throughout the nation.

Each year in the U.S., at least 2 million people are sickened from bacteria resistant to antibiotics, and 23,000 people die from those infections. Many more die from other conditions complicated by an antibiotic-resistant infection, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Infections from drug-resistant “superbugs” result in an estimated $20 billion a year in direct health care costs and up to $35 billion in lost productivity from hospitalizations and sick days.

“Antimicrobials are critically important tools for maintaining human, animal and crop health,” said Mike Boehm, University of Nebraska vice president and Harlan Vice Chancellor for the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

“This new institute will accelerate discoveries and engage producers in new and impactful ways that will enhance the stewardship and prolong the shelf life of these disease-prevention tools. The establishment of this institute is a big deal and we are excited about this next chapter of our partnership with our colleagues from Iowa, the industry and beyond.”

The institute will be jointly funded by the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and Iowa State at a combined $525,000 per year for three years ($1.575 million total). Rodney Moxley, Charles Bessey Professor of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at Nebraska, will play a leadership role.

The Institute for Antimicrobial Resistance Research and Education stems from recommendations by a joint AAVMC/APLU task force, which authored a 2015 report outlining an array of research and education initiatives to address antimicrobial resistance. The report recommended that veterinarians, physicians and other scientific experts work closely together to attain optimal health for people, animals and the environment. The institute will help coordinate and implement those recommendations at universities and veterinary medical colleges across the country.

The new institute will build upon an existing partnership. The universities involved began to address some of these same problems three years ago through the Antimicrobial Resistance Consortium, a research initiative that has involved Nebraska, UNMC, Iowa State, Iowa, the USDA Agricultural Research Service, the Mayo Clinic and a team of more than 100 researchers, educators, clinicians and extension personnel.

“Antimicrobial resistance touches each of us in our daily lives. This new institute provides a great resource for the entire country as we work to build strong, collaborative research and educational programs to mitigate this risk,” said Paul Plummer, associate professor of veterinary diagnostic and production animal medicine at Iowa State. Plummer directed the AMR Consortium and will serve as executive director of the institute, which will be housed at Iowa State.



Nebraska Extension trains first responders for livestock emergencies

On any given day, thousands of livestock such as cattle, swine, poultry and equine are in transit throughout Nebraska. When accidents happen involving these livestock, it makes the scene much more complex to manage. Nebraska Extension’s livestock emergency response plan training is educating first responders on how to deal with such accidents.

“Knowing how to assess the situation of the animals and how to properly handle the animals – for everyone’s safety is a key factor,” said Nebraska Extension Educator Rob Eirich.

 In 2017, there were 2,558 accidents involving animals, according to the Nebraska Department of Transportation. When livestock are involved in accidents it adds a layer of complexity. Animals may not be contained; they could be injured or trapped, or could even cause additional accidents or harm. The livestock emergency response plan training sets out to educate any first responders who may be involved with livestock accidents.

In June, extension and the Nebraska Department of Agriculture partnered to host the first livestock emergency response plan training in Grand Island for first responders, including the state patrol, fire departments, emergency medical technicians, sheriffs, county emergency planners, veterinarians and others. Over 30 people attended the training.

Livestock training is not common in traditional emergency response fields so those that respond to accidents often are unaware of how livestock will respond to stress. For example, most livestock are color blind, have no depth perception and see 330 degrees around them, all of which will affect how they react in certain situations. Bright floodlights and flashing lights could cause a response that could do more harm or damage.

According to Eirich, a key part of the training is helping first responders develop a plan before arriving at an accident where livestock are involved, so they are prepared and know how to approach the scene appropriately. The Grand Island training day was so well-received that Nebraska Extension is planning more for the future.

“The plan is to now use a core group from this first training to expand across the state with two more trainings currently in the process of planning,” said Eirich. “With the livestock industry strong and growing in Nebraska, the need for first responders to be trained in emergency planning with livestock will drive demand.”

Others included on the core livestock emergency response plan team include Kim Clark, Ashley Mueller and Megan Patent-Nygren with Nebraska Extension and Chelsea Kramer with the Nebraska Department of Agriculture.

For more information about livestock emergency response training, contact Nebraska Extension Educator Rob Eirich at 308-632-1230 or reirich2@unl.edu.



NEBRASKA 2018 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, decreased from 2017, according to USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Farm real estate value for 2018 averaged $2,850 per acre, down $50 per acre (2 percent) from last year.

Cropland value decreased slightly from last year to $4,540 per acre. Dryland cropland value averaged $3,550 per acre, unchanged from last year. Irrigated cropland value averaged $6,150 per acre, $30 below a year ago. Pastureland, at a record high $1,010 per acre, was $80 higher than the previous year.

Cash rents paid to landlords in 2018 for cropland were mixed from last year. Irrigated cropland rent averaged $238 per acre, unchanged from last year. Dryland cropland rent averaged $150 per acre, $1 higher than a year earlier. Pasture rented for cash averaged $22.50 per acre, $2 below the previous year.



Iowa Crop Values Report

The production of Iowa’s field and miscellaneous crops was valued at $14.0 billion in 2017, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Crop Values summary. This was a 4 percent decrease from 2016.

The value of corn for grain production totaled $8.47 billion, down 6 percent from the previous year, and production was down 5 percent. Iowa’s corn price averaged $3.25 per bushel, a decrease of $0.05 from the last marketing year.

Down 2 percent from 2016, the value of soybean production was $5.19 billion, and production was down 1 percent. Average prices decreased $0.09 from the previous year to $9.25 per bushel.

Value of production increased in 2017 from 2016 for oats, alfalfa hay, other hay, and all forage. Value of production decreased from the previous year for winter wheat.

Cash Rent
Cropland cash rent paid to Iowa landlords in 2018 averaged $231.00 per acre according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Non-irrigated cropland rent averaged $231.00 per acre, unchanged from last year. Pasture rented for cash averaged $54.00 per acre, unchanged from the previous year.

Farm Production Expenditures
Iowa farm production expenditures totaled $26.4 billion in 2017, according to the latest USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Farm Production Expenditures Annual Summary report. This was $55 million more than the 2016 total expenditures. Feed expense, which declined 16 percent to $4.40 billion, represented the largest single production expense in Iowa in 2017, accounting for 17 percent of the total. Livestock, Poultry, and Related purchases, which rose 14 percent to $4.31 billion, was the second largest expense, and accounted for 16 percent of total expenditures. Rent expense increased 2 percent to $3.64 billion, and accounted for 14 percent of the total. The largest percentage increases from last year were for Trucks and Autos (up 50 percent), Labor (up 18 percent), Livestock (up 14 percent), and Interest (up 12 percent).




2017 United States Total Farm Production Expenditure Highlights

Farm production expenditures in the United States are estimated at $359.8 billion for 2017, up from $346.9 billion in 2016. The 2017 total farm production expenditures are up 3.7 percent compared with 2016 total farm production expenditures. For the 17 line items, 13 showed an increase from previous year, while the rest showed a decrease.

The four largest expenditures at the United States level total $176.2 billion and account for 49.0 percent of total expenditures in 2017. These include feed, 15.3 percent, farm services, 12.2 percent, livestock, poultry, and related expenses, 11.7 percent, and labor, 9.8 percent.

In 2017, the United States total farm expenditure average per farm is $176,352, up 4.3 percent from $169,035 in 2016. On average, United States farm operations spent $27,056 on feed, $20,635 on livestock, poultry, and related expenses, $21,468 on farm services, and $17,204 on labor. For 2016, United States farms spent an average of $27,092 on feed, $20,319 on farm services, $19,491 on livestock, poultry, and related expenses, and $16,616 on labor.

Total fuel expense is $12.0 billion. Diesel, the largest sub component, is $7.6 billion, accounting for 63.3 percent. Diesel expenditures are up 2.7 percent from the previous year. Gasoline is $2.2 billion, up 4.8 percent. LP gas is $1.4 billion, up 22.4 percent. Other fuel is $780 million, up 21.9 percent.

The United States economic sales class contributing most to the 2017 United States total expenditures is the $1,000,000 - $4,999,999 class, with expenses of $114.9 billion, 31.9 percent of the United States total, up 1.7 percent from the 2016 level of $113.0 billion. The next highest is the $5,000,000 and over class with $84.2 billion, up from $80.6 billion in 2016.

In 2017, crop farms expenditures increased to $183.9 billion, up 3.9 percent, while livestock farms expenditures also increased to $175.9 billion, up 3.5 percent. The largest expenditures for crop farms are labor at $25.4 billon (13.8 percent), rent at $24.9 billion (13.5 percent of total), and farm services at $24.4 billion (13.3 percent). Combined crop inputs (chemicals, fertilizers, and seeds) are $51.8 billion, accounting for 28.2 percent of crop farms total expenses. The largest expenditures for livestock farms are feed at $53.4 billion (30.4 percent of total), livestock, poultry and related expenses at $40.1 billion (22.8 percent), and farm services at $19.4 billion (11.0 percent). Together, these line items account for 64.2 percent of livestock farms total expenses. The average total expenditure for a crop farm is $210,081 compared to $151,005 per livestock farm.

The Midwest region contributed the most to United States total expenditures with expenses of $109.1 billion (30.3 percent), up from $108.9 billion in 2016. Other regions, ranked by total expenditures, are the Plains at $93.7 billion (26.0 percent), West at $77.7 billion (21.6 percent), Atlantic at $43.1 billion (12.0 percent), and South at $36.2 billion (10.1 percent). The West increased $6.34 billion from 2016, which is the largest regional increase.

Combined total expenditures for the 15 estimate states is $238.3 billion in 2017 (66.22 percent of the United States total expenditures) and $228.0 billion in 2016 (65.7 percent). California contributed most to the 2017 United States total expenditures, with expenses of $37.4 billion, (10.4 percent). California expenditures are up 9.3 percent from the 2016 estimate of $34.2 billion. Iowa, the next leading state, has $26.4 billion in expenses, (7.3 percent). Other states with more than $20 billion in total expenditures are Texas with $25.9 billion and Nebraska with $22.6 billion.



Agricultural Land Values Highlights

The United States farm real estate value, a measurement of the value of all land and buildings on farms, averaged $3,140 per acre for 2018, up $60 per acre (1.9 percent) from 2017 values. Regional changes in the average value of farm real estate ranged from an 8.3 percent increase in the Southern Plains region to 1.4 percent decrease in the Northern Plains region. The highest farm real estate values were in the Corn Belt region at $6,430 per acre. The Mountain region had the lowest farm real estate value at $1,140 per acre.

The United States cropland value averaged $4,130 per acre, an increase of $40 per acre from the previous year. In the Southern Plains region, the average cropland value increased 4.7 percent from the previous year, while in the Lake region, cropland values decreased by 0.6 percent.

The United States pasture value increased by $40 per acre (3.0 percent) from 2017 values. The Southern Plains region had the highest increase from 2017 at 5.6 percent. The Pacific region remained unchanged at $1,650 per acre.



Cattle Krush App now free for Iowa Cattlemen’s Association Members

The Iowa Cattlemen’s Association (ICA) and Performance Livestock Analytics (PLA) have partnered to bring Iowa’s cattle producers the Cattle Krush service for free.

Cattle Krush, one of the software programs created by the award-winning PLA team, helps cattle producers predict and capture profit opportunities.

Beef producers’ profit is determined by the price of feeder calves, the cost of gain, and the price received for the fed cattle. But those three prices are changing minute by minute in today’s fast-paced world. PLA’s Cattle Krush integrates all of the data and puts it in the palm of your hand.

Producers can use Cattle Krush at the auction house when buying calves, and the app will calculate the profitability of the lot, based on the auction price, grain prices, and cattle futures markets. Then, once calves are purchased, cattle producers can use the “My Lots” feature. The app alerts users when profit opportunities appear, at which point the feeder can contact their broker to lock in the profit.

PLA’s CEO Dane Kuper explains, “Our Cattle Krush App puts the key data already custom analyzed to the farmer’s unique situation into an easy to understand format on a 4G high-speed smartphone or tablet. It’s in the farmer’s hand whether he or she’s in the pickup, at the sale barn, or in the field. A desktop computer sitting in the farm office just isn’t convenient or timely enough. To succeed today, it has to be my farm’s data and current prices in my local markets. Our pop-up alerts help farmers pull the trigger before the target disappears.”

Cattle Krush, a $75/month value, is now available to Iowa Cattlemen’s Association members for free. “Our mission is to grow Iowa’s beef business through advocacy, leadership and education,” says ICA CEO Matt Deppe. “Our producers have told us, through surveys and listening sessions, that they want more information about cattle prices, marketing and profitability. Cattle Krush is going to fill that need and help our independent Iowa cattle producers improve their operations and profits.”

To take advantage of this offer, producers should visit http://www.performancelivestockanalytics.com/ and click on Cattle Krush, then enter the discount code “iacattle” at checkout. For questions about Cattle Krush, or PLA’s additional services, including Performance Beef, call (515) 337-2187.



This Week's Drought Summary
droughtmonitor.unl.edu

Early in the drought week, moderate precipitation fell along the East Coast with the heaviest rains falling in the eastern Carolinas and central Pennsylvania. Much-needed rains fell in a swath of area covering eastern Wyoming, much of Nebraska, Kansas and Oklahoma, eastern Colorado and the majority of New Mexico. The northern Plains, Midwest and South saw lighter precipitation amounts. Central and south Texas saw little to no precipitation during the week while the dry pattern continued for much of the West. For the month of July, preliminary statewide temperature data suggest much of the U.S. was warmer than average. The West, Southwest, South, and Northeast were among the warmest third of historical records which date back 124 years. Total precipitation amounts for the month of July were below average for much of the Midwest and Northwest. Also during the month of July, above average precipitation fell in the Mid-Atlantic States to Northeast, Southwest and parts of the High Plains.

Midwest
Generally, precipitation was below normal for much of the Midwest during the week. The only areas that received above-normal rains were eastern Missouri, central Illinois and western Indiana. There, a swath of light rains (one to three quarters of an inch) fell. However, the rains were only enough to contract drought in western Illinois. Elsewhere, D0 and D1 was expanded to cover the rapidly deteriorating conditions which were mostly concentrated in Missouri but also in southern Iowa and the southern tip of Illinois. Abnormal dryness remained in Wisconsin where 30-day precipitation was generally 25-50 percent of normal in some places. Average streamflows during the last 28 days in southeast Michigan were running at the 10-30 percentile level. Moderate drought was expanded in Michigan and parts of northern Ohio.

High Plains
A swath of light to moderate precipitation fell in an area roughly covering north and east Wyoming, east Colorado and much of Nebraska and Kansas. The heaviest precipitation fell in western Nebraska, Kansas and eastern Colorado where amounts of 2 inches were widespread. Despite the rains, long-term drought was hardly effected. There was a slight improvement in southeast Colorado, and D1 was removed in southwest Kansas where short term indicators have rebounded. Despite the monsoon season ramping up, dryness continued in west central Colorado where D3 was expanded. Moderate drought was expanded in southwest Wyoming where it remained dry during the period. There was also a slight expansion of D0 and D1 in North Dakota while D0 was contracted in southeast North Dakota into northeast South Dakota.

Looking Ahead
During the next five days, moderate to heavy precipitation is projected to fall along the East Coast with amounts generally totaling up to five inches. The heaviest rains are forecasted to fall in the Southern Appalachians and the Panhandle of Florida. Much of the South is forecasted to remain dry during the next five days but average temperatures are expected to remain near normal. Temperatures could be as much as 10-20 degrees F below normal for parts of the Midwest early in the period along with 1-2 inches of precipitation. Temperatures in this area are expected to rebound later in the period. The Southwest Monsoon is expected to continue, producing beneficial rains for New Mexico and parts of Arizona. The Climate Prediction Center expects the greatest odds of above normal temperatures in the Southern Rockies stretching into the High Plains and in the Northeast during the next 6-10 days. The greatest probability of below normal precipitation during this period is centered in the High Plains.



Soybean Farmers Return to DC to Drive Home Their Message:
We Need Long-Term Solutions to the Trade War

Returning to Washington just weeks after their July Board of Directors meeting, grower leaders from the American Soybean Association (ASA) met again with officials at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Members of Congress to consider options for offsetting the long-term damage from China’s retaliatory tariff on American soybeans.

John Heisdorffer, a soy grower from Keota, Iowa, and President of ASA said, “We know that President Trump is aware of how hard this is hitting agriculture and specifically soybeans. The recent announcement that the European Union has agreed to buy more U.S. soybeans is a welcome step. Given the scale of potential damage from the tariff, we need more market-opening measures if we are going to survive the long-term repercussions on soybean exports.”

“We are asking, first, that Congress pass a new long-term farm bill that increases funding for export promotion under MAP and FMD. The Trade Promotion Program announced by USDA last month will supplement these much-needed efforts, and we hope to see this funding extended over a multi-year period so that activities can be coordinated with the Congressionally-mandated programs.”

In addition to asking Congress to pass the Farm Bill, ASA grower leaders urged the House Ways and Means Committee and Senate Finance Committee to support negotiation of new free trade agreements. ASA is asking that NAFTA be in place by the end of 2018, and that bilateral FTAs be initiated with Japan and other countries that offer increased markets for soy and livestock products. ASA also asked lawmakers to support funding to upgrade inland waterways infrastructure in order to maintain the U.S. competitive advantage.

“We need these tools,” said Heisdorffer. “The certainty and stability of our industry depends on, number one, getting these tariffs removed as quickly as possible and, number two, taking steps now to offset the damage done by this trade war by negotiating trade agreements and funding programs essential to opening new markets for our farm products.”

China imported 31% of U.S. production in 2017, equal to 60% of total U.S exports and nearly 1 in every 3 rows of harvested beans, which makes expanding existing and finding new markets crucial for the U.S. soybean industry.



South Dakota Feedlot Honored for Outstanding Environmental Stewardship

Moes Feedlot, in Watertown, S.D., has been selected as one of six regional honorees of the Environmental Stewardship Award Program (ESAP). The award, announced during the 2018 Cattle Industry Summer Business Meeting Aug. 1, 2018, recognizes the operation’s outstanding stewardship and conservation efforts. This year’s regional winners will compete for the national award, which will be announced during the Annual Cattle Industry Convention in New Orleans, La., in February 2019.

Established in 1991 by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association to recognize outstanding land stewards in the cattle industry, ESAP is generously sponsored by Corteva Agriscience, Agriculture Division of DowDuPont, McDonald’s, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the National Cattlemen’s Foundation.

“Cattlemen and women everywhere understand that the land, air and water resources in their care are the cornerstone of their success and they are only stewards of those resources for a short time,” said NCBA President Kevin Kester. “Each of us understands the importance of improving those resources and leaving them better for future generations. This year’s nominees are outstanding examples of what is possible for the beef industry and they serve as an inspiration for producers everywhere to continue improving their stewardship practices.”

Moes Feedlot got started in 1987, with 20 bred heifers in 1988. The operation got to the point where they were feeding 400 head on outside lots without much in the way of their own facilities, but changed when John Moes’ son, Bryan, returned to the operation. The Moes family knew that they needed a way to support future generations, so they installed a new monoslope facility in order to increase the capacity of the feedyard.

“We didn’t really have the availability to buy any land,” said Bryan, “so we started investing in the feedlot. In 2011 we did another expansion to have 1,999 head.”

With the feedlot expansion came the need to control any runoff. All of the facilities were carefully designed so water and nutrients are captured before they can reach sensitive wetlands and watersheds.

“It was very important for us to make sure that all of our runoff was contained and handled in a safe matter to the environment,” said Bryan. “So, everything is collected from the manure for rain runoff where nothing goes to our slews. That was very important for us to coexist with the water holes we have around us.”

Manure scraped from the pens is a valued asset and applying it to the fields has improved soil quality and crop yields while decreasing the use of commercial fertilizer.

“We’ve raised our organic matter from a two to a 6 ½,” said John. “With that, every percent of organic matter that you increase you get an extra inch of holding capacity. We’re keeping the water on the ground, and it’s going up to the atmosphere and coming back down on our area instead of running down the river.”

The Moes family is always on the lookout for new technology that can help them become better stewards of the land. Their feeding systems includes identification tags to allow for increased efficiency in sorting. They also use their tablets and smartphones to keep track of the feed wagon and monitor the health of the cattle—even when they’re away from home.

For more than a decade, John has worked with South Dakota State University (SDSU) on beef cattle reproduction projects. The research has helped them tighten up their breeding and calving seasons. “This family’s really willing to try new things,” said Stephanie Perkins, a lab technician at SDSU. “Every year when we finish with the study John wants to know the results right away. He’s very keen on knowing what the next step is and what he can do to better his operation.”

The Moes family has also planted 25 acres of trees to serve as a windbreak and to provide habitat for wildlife. Their pastures are currently in a 10-year easement program, and they put a perpetual easement on 230 acres. Over the years they’ve cross-fenced pastures and installed pipelines and water tanks to help improve their rotational grazing system.

“When we do all this, we’re thinking of the next generation,” said Bryan. “We want to make this land as good—or better—than when we got it for them. So by making it as good or better for them they can keep growing and expanding, and keep this symbiotic relationship with the livestock and the wildlife.”



USDA Dairy Products June 2018 Production Highlights

Total cheese output (excluding cottage cheese) was 1.06 billion pounds, 1.8 percent above June 2017 but 1.9 percent below May 2018.  Italian type cheese production totaled 450 million pounds, 0.1 percent below June 2017 and 1.8 percent below May 2018. American type cheese production totaled 431 million pounds, 2.7 percent above June 2017 but 2.9 percent below May 2018.  Butter production was 143 million pounds, 3.1 percent above June 2017 but 14.7 percent below May 2018.

Dry milk products (comparisons in percentage with June 2017)
Nonfat dry milk, human - 148 million pounds, down 9.0 percent.
Skim milk powder - 58.9 million pounds, up 49.2 percent.

Whey products (comparisons in percentage with June 2017)
Dry whey, total - 87.4 million pounds, down 0.7 percent.
Lactose, human and animal - 91.3 million pounds, down 5.0 percent.
Whey protein concentrate, total - 39.9 million pounds, down 1.1 percent.

Frozen products (comparisons in percentage with June 2017)
Ice cream, regular (hard) - 71.3 million gallons, down 4.7 percent.
Ice cream, lowfat (total) - 45.5 million gallons, down 0.8 percent.
Sherbet (hard) - 3.46 million gallons, down 9.5 percent.
Frozen yogurt (total) - 5.43 million gallons, down 3.3 percent.



NCGA Welcomes Administration Support for High Octane Fuels

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Department of Transportation (DOT) today recognized the benefits of high octane fuels, such as mid-level ethanol blend, in their proposed SAFE Vehicles rule. The agencies specifically requested comments on how EPA, “could support the production and use of higher octane gasoline” to support compliance with vehicle fuel economy and greenhouse gas emissions standards.

As corn growers know, ethanol is a high octane fuel that provides a cost effective means for automakers to reduce GHG emissions and improve fuel economy when used with optimized engines. Analyzing fuels and vehicles as a system provides automakers with more flexibility and options to meet vehicle standards.

As an active member of the High Octane Low Carbon Alliance (HOLC), NCGA has advocated for the benefits of high octane fuels. The agencies’ proposed rule today acknowledges HOLC and information we provided on high octane fuels as this proposed rule was drafted.

Moving forward, NCGA will provide comments to EPA and DOT focused on the high octane portions of the proposed rule as part of the organization’s mission to create and increase opportunities for corn growers.



Growth Energy Welcomes ELEMENT as 100th Plant Member

Growth Energy, the nation’s top ethanol advocate, is proud to welcome ELEMENT, LLC as its newest member. The addition of the new Colwich, Kansas-based bio-refinery marks the 100th plant member for Growth Energy.

The Andersons, Inc. have partnered with ICM, a current Growth Energy member, to form ELEMENT, LLC, to build and operate a 70 million gallon per year facility that is expected to be the lowest environmental impact ethanol production facility in the United States. ELEMENT expects to commence production in the second quarter of 2019.

Growth Energy, The Andersons, and ICM issued the following statements:

“We are so proud to welcome ELEMENT as the hundredth member of the Growth Energy family,” said Emily Skor, CEO of Growth Energy. “ELEMENT is the result of an invaluable partnership between ICM and The Andersons, and we look forward to collaborating with these industry leaders to provide Americans with cleaner burning renewable biofuels at the pump.”

“We’re thrilled to team up with Growth Energy as ELEMENT builds the most technologically advanced and greenest dry mill ethanol plant in the world,” said Mike Irmen, President of The Andersons Ethanol Group. “Growth Energy has supported our industry for 10 years. We’re looking forward to tapping their knowledge and supporting the ethanol promotion effort.”

“ICM is extremely excited about working on this project. We are about a year away from launching the plant, but we look forward to working with Growth Energy as a strategic partner,” said Dave Vander Griend, CEO of ICM. “They are an excellent advocate for the industry and we are proud to be a part of their association.”