CHS distributes $8.4M in Indiana
ST. PAUL, Minn. — CHS, Inc. owners in Indiana are sharing in an unprecedented $8.4 million disbursement as a result of the energy and grain-based foods company’s record fiscal 2008 earnings. It marks a fifth consecutive record return to owners by CHS and is the largest ever made by a U.S. cooperative, according to the company.
The distribution was made to 41 member cooperatives and individuals in Indiana. This is part of a total $231 million now being distributed in 48 states, which includes cash patronage, equity redemption and CHS preferred stock issued as equity redemption. In total, CHS expects to return an estimated $343 million to its owners in fiscal 2009.

CHS net income for its fiscal year ending Aug. 31, 2008, was $803 million. Distributions are being made to 1,200 member companies and 35,000 individuals nationwide. Patronage is based on business done with CHS during fiscal 2008, while equity redemptions and preferred stock distributions represent retirement of ownership in CHS earned in past years.

ISA testing biodiesel in Alaska
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Indiana Soybean Alliance (ISA) is taking 250 gallons of cold climate biodiesel, produced through a process developed by Purdue University researchers through soybean checkoff funding, to the Arctic Circle to document how it performs in some of the harshest winter conditions.

ISA is partnering with the University of Alaska-Fairbanks (UAF), the Alaska Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station (AFES) and Purdue to road-test Permaflo Biodiesel, a unique formulation made in a simple, novel process that significantly reduces the traditional problems of biodiesel performance in cold-weather conditions.
The entire trip will be documented by a film crew and real-time reports – with photos – will be posted on www.indianasoybean.com
during the trip. ISA has been funding the work on Permaflo Biodiesel for the last five years to help address the critical need for consistent product quality in the growing biodiesel industry. The fuel is capable of working at temperatures below -67 degrees Fahrenheit without gelling.

Researchers at UAF and AFES will be joined by ISA farmer-directors and Dr. Bernie Tao, agricultural engineering professor and the ISA Professor in Soybean Utilization at Purdue. The fuel will be tested in transportation and stationary power generation. In addition, ISA representatives and Tao will participate in a Biofuels Symposium hosted by UAF on March 9.

Illinois extension seeking input
URBANA, Ill. — Citizens seeking an opportunity to help shape University of Illinois extension programs in their community can participate in a public survey between March 1-31.

“We’re conducting a statewide survey to help determine the most important educational needs,” explained Dennis Campion, associate dean for extension and outreach in the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences. “The information will be used to prioritize and design printed and Web-based educational materials and programs that will be offered in a variety of ways.”

Programs will be delivered on-site, over the Internet, through video and teleconferencing and other ways, he noted. “This information will benefit all the citizens of our state as it will be used over the next five years to provide programs and services in our communities,” he said.

The survey seeks public input related to 10 broad issues. It can be accessed online, and paper copies are available at local extension offices. It only takes about 10-15 minutes to complete.
Those wishing to participate should contact their local extension or visit the survey’s website at http://TellUs.extension.uiuc.edu

Buhler net earnings increase

WINNIPEG, Manitoba — Net earnings increased 218.8 percent to $21.9 million ($0.88 per share on 25 million shares) compared with $6.9 million ($0.27 per share on 25 million shares) in 2007, according to information from Buhler Industries, Inc. The current year’s earnings include $7.2 million of debt forgiveness shown as net of $2.09 million in taxes.

Year-end revenue was up 31.9 percent, to $219 million, compared with $166.2 million in 2007. The stability of the Canadian dollar and increasing demand for high horsepower tractors in overseas markets had a positive impact on revenue, according to the company.

Also, net earnings for the year ending Sept. 30 were $22 million compared with $6.9 million the previous year. Gross profit was $43.9 million (20 percent of sales) for 2008, compared to $28.5 million (17.1 percent of sales) last year. The number of shares outstanding at year-end was 25 million.

CME expands incentives

CHICAGO, Ill. — CME Group announced it is expanding its international incentive programs to provide its global customer base with greater access to CME, CBOT and NYMEX products. The incentive programs will include a simplified fee structure and will be extended until Dec. 31, 2010.

The incentives will include CME and CBOT products effective Feb. 1. NYMEX products will be included April 1 for the International Incentive Program and the Asia-Pacific Incentive Program and later in 2009 for the Emerging Market Incentive Program.

Customers who participate in these incentive programs will be subject to minimum volume and application requirements. Additional details about the incentive programs can be found on the CME website at www.cmegroup.com

CME also announced four new Chicago petroleum products swap futures contracts on CME ClearPort, scheduled to begin trading Jan. 26. These contracts are listed with, and subject to, the rules and regulations of the New York Mercantile Exchange, Inc. The contracts will be listed for 36 consecutive months beginning with the February 2009 contract. They will be available for trading and clearing until the last business day of the contract month.

Indiana’s 36th winery opens
LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The state’s wine industry continues to expand with the opening of a new winery in west-central Indiana. Wildcat Creek Winery in Lafayette is owned by Rick and Kathy Black. Rick has been an amateur winemaker for many years, having earned more than 20 awards. One of his highest honors was the 2002 Indiana Amateur Wine Champion Award at the Indy International Wine Competition.

Located in a restored 1900s farmhouse just off of Interstate 65 in Tippecanoe County, the winery is selling four varieties of wine, with others to be released later this year. The winery offers free tastings, indoor and outdoor seating, winery tours, a gift shop, periodic food and wine pairing events and assistance in planning special occasions for its customers.

Current hours are Saturday 11 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sunday noon-5 p.m. Check the website at www.wildcatcreekwinery.com or call 765-838-3498 for spring and summer hours.