Illinois corn farmers back coupons for E85 fuel
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Illinois corn farmers and the American Lung Assoc. are teaming up to encourage drivers to use an ethanol blend to fuel their rental cars.
Enterprise Rent-A-Car customers renting flex fuel vehicles will get $10 coupons for the purchase of E85, a fuel comprised of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent conventional gasoline. Interested customers can call any of the Enterprise locations in Springfield, Quincy or Jacksonville to request a flex fuel vehicle and receive a coupon.
The coupons are a project of the Illinois Corn Marketing Board. The American Lung Assoc. of the Upper Midwest supports the program because E85 burns cleaner than traditional gasoline.
Purdue moves forward with planned wind farm
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (AP) — Purdue University’s plans to get into the wind business are moving forward as the university and its business partner seek state approval and a customer for the electricity the proposed wind farm would generate.

The Indianapolis Star reports the $200 million facility would be located on 6,000 acres about seven miles north of Lafayette. Purdue’s Energy Park would include sites for at least 60 commercial turbines and a welcome center to educate students and the public about renewable energy.

Purdue trustees have approved the wind energy park. The project now awaits state regulators’ approval.

Reinke offering National Pump Co. product line
DESHLER, Neb. — Reinke Manufacturing, Inc., a leading manufacturer of mechanized irrigation systems, announced the company has joined in a strategic relationship with National Pump Co., LLC, a trusted manufacturer of vertical turbine line shaft and submersible pumps, centrifugal pumps, high pressure booster pumps and pump station systems.

Reinke dealerships across the country will now be able to offer its customers National Pump’s full line of fully-integrated pumping stations. Reinke, headquartered in Deshler, has a dealer network of more than 170 dealerships spanning the United States, along with international distributors located in primary agriculture markets across the globe. National Pump is headquartered in Glendale, Ariz., delivering pumps and pump systems worldwide.

Black to provide JCB equipment from 3 locations
SAVANNAH, Ga. — JCB’s North American dealer network has expanded once again with the addition of Black JCB, a new division of Black Equipment Co. Black JCB will now provide new and used equipment sales and rentals to the materials handling and construction industries, along with 24-hour parts and service.

In addition to the company’s headquarters in Evansville, Ind., Black JCB also has locations in Hopkinsville and Paducah, Ky. To learn more, call 888-840-9737, visit www.BlackJCB.com or stop by its headquarters at 1050 N. Congress Avenue in Evansville.

Last chance for savings on Headline Advantage
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. — Growers using Headline fungicide for the upcoming growing season may apply for a $100 per gallon rebate on Headline fungicide purchases made by March 15.

Headline Advantage presents growers with the opportunity to qualify for a $100 per gallon rebate for Headline purchases from authorized BASF retailers made by the offer deadline. For more information on Headline Advantage, growers should visit www.headlineadvantage.com or contact an authorized BASF retailer.

CHS Foundation supports Farm Safety 4 Just Kids

URBANDALE, Iowa — CHS supports the nonprofit organization Farm Safety 4 Just Kids. The CHS Foundation is the major giving entity of CHS, an energy, grains and foods company with a stewardship focus of building vibrant communities.

As a silver sponsor, the CHS Foundation donated between $10,000-$24,999. Farm Safety 4 Just Kids was created in 1987 by Marilyn Adams after the death of her 11-year-old son. The organization works to raise awareness about the health and safety hazards that are an inherent part of the rural environment in which children live, work and play.

BASF signs herbicide licensing agreement with Kumiai

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. — Kumiai Chemical Industry Co., Ltd. and Ihara Chemical Industry Co., Ltd. have granted BASF the exclusive right to develop and commercialize solo herbicide products with pyroxasulfone for corn, soybeans, wheat and sunflower in the United States and Canada.

BASF anticipates introducing its first product with this technology under the brand name Zidua herbicide in the U.S. in 2012. BASF was also granted the right to develop premix formulations and continue to evaluate the herbicide active ingredient for additional crops, such as cotton, peanuts, and potatoes in the U.S. and Canada. Further details of the deal were not disclosed.

Public-private group seeks Tennessee fair future
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A public-private partnership is taking over running the 105-year-old Tennessee State Fair, hoping to find a long-term solution for where the festivities should be held.

Tennessee Agriculture Commissioner Julius Johnson, who is also a member of the Tennessee State Fair Assoc. board, said he wants to see the fair become a true statewide event while staying in Davidson County. Johnson told The Tennessean he plans to speak with Gov. Bill Haslam about the issue once the new administration has settled in.

“We want to work cooperatively with the mayor’s office and the governor’s office and come to a joint resolution,” Johnson said.

Legislation approved by the Nashville Metro Council on Feb. 1 requires the fair be held at the fairgrounds this year and in 2012. Nothing is guaranteed beyond that point.

Nashville Mayor Karl Dean announced in 2009 that the municipal government was dropping out of running the fair. Then, a group of fair supporters, including the Tennessee Farm Bureau, where Johnson worked for 37 years, formed a new association to produce the 2010 event.

Carlisle Valley honored as Performance Plus Dealer
VALLEY, Neb. — Valmont Irrigation has announced Carlisle Valley Irrigation of Carlisle, Ind., as a Valley Performance Plus Dealer for 2010. Carlisle Valley has earned this designation for excelling in the areas of sales, service and after-market parts.

Each dealership is scored based on departmental evaluations and annual customer satisfaction surveys, as well as the success of their own dealership growth plans. Focusing on best practices, Valley dealers strive to deliver the highest standards of service and product support to their mechanized irrigation customers.