By JODY E. POLLOK-NEWSOM
Corn Marketing Program of Michigan
Michigan Corn Growers Assoc. As this edition of Farm World goes to press, we remain in the midst of a busy meeting season. As the boards and staff of the Corn Marketing Program of Michigan (CMPM) and the Michigan Corn Growers Assoc. (MCGA) make their way to events throughout the state, I would like to take the time to share some important news for corn growers regarding our national policy meeting and the recent approval of E15 for older vehicles.
I would also like to remind readers that the deadlines for both Commodity Classic and the MCGA college scholarship are rapidly approaching, so be sure to take advantage of these opportunities today.
Michigan represented at key policy meeting
Michigan’s interests were well represented at the National Corn Growers Assoc. (NCGA) Policy and Priority Conference by three corn growers. CMPM President and NCGA board member Clark Gerstacker of Midland, MCGA President and CMPM board member Ed Breitmeyer of Buckley and MCGA Treasurer Scott Lonier of Lansing came together with grower representatives from across the country to draft, discuss and debate national corn priorities and policies for 2011.
Also in attendance at the meeting was Theresa Sisung, CMPM and MCGA communication and programs coordinator.
The precedence set at the 2011 NCGA Policy and Priority Conference will provide direction to the NCGA throughout the year and will affect the more than 35,000 corn grower-members from across the nation. Each state at the annual conference offered its 2012 priority areas, with the top priorities being ethanol, environmental regulations, farm policy, communications, transportation, trade and research.
While at the meeting, growers also discussed changes to the 2011 national policy book. Changes discussed will come before the full delegation during two sessions of Corn Congress, which will be held during Commodity Classic in Tampa, Fla. Corn Congress is comprised of 127 corn grower delegates from 28 states, with Michigan having four voting delegates.
New to this year’s Policy and Priority Meeting was a joint session between the NCGA and the U.S. Grains Council (USGC). The USGC is an organization that develops export markets for U.S. corn, barley, grain sorghum and related products.
As such, the two often have similar goals and priorities and the boards of directors for each organization felt it would be mutually beneficial for the organizations to come together to discuss the top issues facing corn growers in 2011.
This meeting will also help to increase communication between the two groups.
Commodity Classic deadline draws near
Michigan’s corn farmers are invited to the 15th annual Commodity Classic in Tampa March 3-5. Commodity Classic is the annual convention and trade show presented by the NCGA, the American Soybean Assoc., the National Sorghum Producers and the National Assoc. of Wheat Growers.
At the convention, corn, soybean, sorghum and wheat growers will be able to attend a variety of seminars on topics and issues relating to production and the industries as a whole. The educational sessions will cover everything from production issues to marketing matters, to cutting-edge advancements in on-farm technology, to new uses and new markets.
The sessions and keynote speakers will provide a wealth of information growers can use to positively impact the profitability of their operations. Highlights of the 2011 Commodity Classic will include:
•A trade show with more than 800 booths
•Policy sessions to set direction for the NCGA in 2011
•Educational and learning sessions covering agriculture’s hot topics
•Networking opportunities with other growers and the industry’s top leaders
•An exclusive evening of entertainment featuring the chart-topping Little River Band
Registrations received by Feb. 10 will receive a $25 reduction in the registration fee. For more information on this event or to register, visit www.commodityclassic.com
E15 receives extended EPA waiver approval
The CMPM and MCGA applauded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) recent announcement that approved the use of E15 (15 percent ethanol/85 percent gasoline) in older model cars from 2001-06. This decision follows the EPA’s approval of the use of E15 for 2007 and newer cars this past October.
The EPA’s extended approval of E15 means an additional 86 million vehicles on the road today are permitted to utilize E15 blends. Combined with the 43 million 2007 and newer vehicles approved for E15 in 2010, a total 54 percent of the U.S. car and light truck fleet can now drive on E15 fuel.
This approval of higher blends of ethanol will open up the United States’ fuel markets to allow for an increase in the consumption of American-made ethanol. Benefits of the addition of more American-made ethanol to the U.S. fuel market include:
•The creation of more than 136,000 new jobs across America and the injection of $24.4 billion into the American economy annually, according to a 2009 study.
•Reduction of foreign oil imports by an additional seven billion gallons of gasoline per year. By using E10 in much of its fuel today, the U.S. has already reduced its dependence on foreign oil by billions of gallons each year.
•The potential to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by an additional 20 million metric tons per year. That means E15 would reduce emissions equal to removing 10.5 million vehicles from the road.
Corn growers in Michigan can be proud of this victory and the role they play in reducing our GHG emissions and our dependence on foreign oil with a product that is domestically grown and processed in our own country and our own state. Michigan’s five ethanol plants contribute $594 million to the state’s economy annually and provide a growing market for corn grown by the state’s nearly 12,000 corn farmers.
The MCGA and CMPM are grateful for this extended E15 approval and the expanded market it will provide for American ethanol. In turn, this approval will create American jobs, increase our energy independence, improve our environment and strengthen our national security; benefits we can all enjoy.
For additional information on the safety of higher blends for older and newer vehicles, visit www.ncga.com/tested
MCGA scholarship deadline approaching Feb. 14
The deadline for the fifth annual MCGA Scholarship Program is quickly approaching. Scholarship applications must be postmarked no later than Feb. 14.
The MCGA will be awarding a minimum of two $1,000 scholarships. All members of the MCGA, including students, growers and associates, as well as children of members, are qualified between the ages of 17-25. Applicants must be enrolled as a full-time student at a post-secondary educational institution in order to be eligible.
Applications and more information can be obtained from the MCGA office by calling 517-668-CORN (2676) or online at www.micorn.org |
