SD Corn

National Ag Day in South Dakota is special one as we celebrate our state’s #1 industry. An industry employs 143,000 South Dakotans and produces $21 billion in annual economic activity. South Dakota is home to 46,000 producers on 31,500 farms. 98% of the farms in South Dakota are family owned and operated and each producer feeds an average of 155 people per year.

Why do we celebrate National Ag Day? Because our farmers and ranchers provide us with the safest, most abundant, highest quality, least expensive and best tasting food in the entire world. Americans spend less than 10% of their disposable income on food.

Our farmers don’t want to be thanked, but I would encourage you to do so anyways showing your appreciation for our food supply that you and I take for granted on a daily basis.

Start a conversation with someone who works in agriculture and ask questions to learn more about where our food comes from and why farmers do the things they do. A few simple questions could go a long way towards educating consumers about why American Agriculture is so great.

For planting, growing and harvesting.

For raising, feeding and producing.

For starting at sunrise and finishing at sunset.

For every missed vacation.

For loving every minute of it.

Thank a Farmer

Click here for 10 reasons to Thank a Farmer Today!

Stop out at any South Dakota Culver’s location today (Tuesday, March 15, 2011) for a FREE scoop of Fresh, Frozen Custard and the opportunity to learn more about how farmers produce the food we eat.

As controversy continues to swirl in the Middle East, oil prices continue to soar. High oil prices affect nearly all American motorists in a negative way and the time has come for additional domestic alternatives.  Biodiesel, ethanol, electric, hydrogen, natural gas and advanced biofuels are all part of the current and future plan but further actions are needed now to free ourselves from our countries continued reliance on imported oil.

Currently ethanol is the only readily available alternative to gasoline. There are a number of ongoing efforts to increase domestic ethanol usage including additional blender pumps, more flex fuel vehicles and the EPA approving E15 for vehicles 2001 and newer. But the national debt and misinformation from “big oil” have led congress down the same old beaten path of relying on foreign countries for our energy.

“Acknowledging that we have an addition to foreign oil is nothing new, but until we take the appropriate actions to become energy independent, America will continue to be held captive to OPEC’s oil prices,” said Gary Duffy, president of the South Dakota Corn Growers Association. “Folks need to get behind domestic, renewable sources of energy like ethanol as it is not only a cleaner burning alternative, but it also supports thousands of jobs and benefits rural economies.”

Currently ethanol fulfills around 10% of our countries fuel supply which reduced our dependence on foreign oil by 445 million barrels in 2010 while using only 3% of the worlds grain supply. It’s widely known that grain-based ethanol is not the complete long-term answer to achieve energy independence but it is continuing to pave the road by creating a market for cellulosic ethanol and other advanced biofuels that will continue to lessen our demand for oil.

“Right now we have a 90% gasoline mandate,” added Duffy. “Limiting our use of ethanol to consumers will only hinder the development of advanced biofuels in the long term.”

In spite of a couple misguided journalists during the past week, ethanol is not the cause of Egypt’s problems, but it could be the answer to ours.

Larry Kudlow’s recent National Review Online article blames American ethanol production for the current protests in Egypt as he feels corn is being grown instead of wheat for ethanol production, and it’s driving up global food prices. Mr. Kudlow may want to look beyond the Wall Street Journal for “facts” when reporting on America’s only readily available alternative fuel.  His article makes no mention of increasing oil prices, regional drought, market speculators, increased populations or even Egypt’s own corrupt government.

Kudlow’s article basically brings up the old and outdated Food vs. Fuel argument that has been put to bed time and time again. The jounal, Energy recently concluded that there is no connection between biofuel production and food prices. Also, one-third of the corn used for ethanol production will be used as livestock feed as American ethanol production will supply the world with 9 million metric tons of DDG’s this year.

If there’s one thing we can be certain of in these uncertain times in Egypt, it’s that America needs to be become more energy independent.

 “Our country has a serious addiction to foreign oil and ethanol is weaning us from that dependence,” said South Dakota Corn Utilization Council President, David Fremark. “We can no longer continue the status quo of continuing to rely on other countries for our energy.”

The United States only uses 3% of the worlds grain supply for ethanol, but demands 25% of the world’s oil.  Last year, American ethanol production helped displace the need for 364 million barrels of imported oil.

American farmers should be commended for continuing to produce abundant supplies of food, feed, fuel and fiber that are meeting domestic and export demands while retaining a surplus year after year.

NASCAR, the most popular racing sport in the United States, burns a lot of fuel and starting in 2011 15% of that fuel will be ethanol. The move to the E15 blend is a part of NASCAR’s commitment to being an environmental leader. The American made ethanol will be produced from American grown corn, supporting the countries’ economy and environment.

“The transition to Sunoco Green E15 takes our long-term sustainability strategy to the next level. Sunoco Green E15 is good for racing, good for the environment and good for America. While fueling the same close, door-to-door racing that thrills our fans, American ethanol creates jobs in the United States, helps foster energy independence, and continues the greening of our sport,” said Brian France, chairman and CEO of NASCAR.

Burning ethanol would not only help the environment by reducing nasty greenhouse gas emissions, but will give their cars an extra boost because of its higher octane. NASCAR has been looking into burning ethanol for some time now and their tests have shown very positive results including additional horsepower.

Ethanol’s use in NASCAR makes a lot of sense with its loyal fan base being primarily made up of strong supporters towards American made products and nothing is more American than clean-burning, renewable, corn ethanol.

It’s pretty simple, American Made Racing using American Made Fuel being backed by the everyday Fans of America.

The United States hit a record rate of ethanol production when they averaged 761,000 barrels of ethanol per day this last November. The record is an increase of 93,000 barrels per day since November of 2008. Ethanol demand also reached a record high of 781,000 barrels per day.

The new ethanol record could be attributed to the record corn crop raised this last fall. With the increased corn yields, farmers are growing more with less. Thus proves that farmers are capable of both feeding and fueling America’s growing population.

While the production and demand of ethanol are on the rise, the demand for oil seems to be on a downward slope.

A report came out Sunday from KansasCity.com saying that the demand for oil in the United States is falling and has been for some time. Oil demand peaked in 2007 and has been declining ever since. Experts, including Oil Execs, say they don’t expect that demand to ever recover. The article suggested that alternative fuels, like ethanol, will grow enough to meet any future increase in demand for automotive fuel.

Ethanol, a home-grown, clean burning, renewable fuel is helping the United States lessen its dependence from foreign oil, especially oil imported from countries with a history of terrorist activity. Ethanol is providing good jobs across rural America, decreasing green house gas emissions, supporting local economies and lowering our trade deficit.

Ricardo Inc. made the ethanol community proud yesterday when it released its new Ethanol Direct Boost Injection engine at the Washington Auto Show. The engine is the first of its kind, using technology designed for diesel engines but taking advantage of the ethanol fuel properties.

 Ricardo put their engine in a one ton GMC pick-up as a test model for the auto show. The 3.2 V6 will be able to substitute any gas or diesel motor without losing performance or power.

“We think this could replace conventional engines, and could even replace diesels,” says Kent Niederhofer, president of Ricardo.

The optimum blend for the EDBI is between 30-50% ethanol, but can run on any blend of ethanol or regular gas. That fuel blend is becoming easier to find with the increase in ethanol blender pumps across the country.

The smaller 3.2 V6 EDBI engine will have an estimated cost of $4,500 more than that of the conventional gas, but will gain in efficiency. The one ton pick-up with a its normal engine averaged 12.7 miles per gallon with regular gas and 12.1 miles per gallon with ethanol. But when replaced with the EDBI engine, the vehicle got 15 miles per gallon on ethanol.

“People are likely to be amazed with the performance and fuel economy that can be delivered from a comparatively small displacement engine running on a renewable fuel such as ethanol,” said Rod Beazley, director of the Ricardo Inc.

Diesel Trucks usually cost around $8,000 more than conventional gas and the EDBI will weigh around 400-500 pounds less while maintaining the same torque and towing capabilities.

Advancements like the EDBI are solutions toward America lessening its dependence from foreign oil and strengthening its economy.