Hop in the cab with South Dakota Corn Utilization Council president Brian Smith, a farmer near Montrose as he talks about the advantages of no-till planting and the technologies he uses to increase his efficiencies as he grows the next supply of food, feed, fuel and fiber.
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After nearly a year of dormancy, debate on the next farm bill is alive and well once again in the halls of Congress. The Senate Ag Committee took action Tuesday morning and passed its version of the farm bill, the Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act of 2013, moving it onto the Senate floor.
The CBO score shows that the Senate bill would reduce federal spending by more than $24 billion over the next ten years. You can view a summary of the bill at: http://www.ag.senate.gov/issues/farm-bill
“There is still plenty of work left, but yesterday’s action on the farm bill is a significant step in the right direction as it continues to support crucial programs like crop insurance and risk management for farmers, while also making responsible cuts to federal spending with the elimination of direct payments,” said South Dakota Corn Executive Director Lisa Richardson. “With only a short-term extension in place, we hope this positive momentum will carry forward and bring our farmers the certainty they need with a long-term, common-sense farm bill.”
Action on the farm bill began today in the House Ag Committee. The House draft, the Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act of 2013 is expected to reduce spending by approximately $40 billion over the next 10 years. For more on the House version, visit: http://agriculture.house.gov/press-release/lucas-peterson-release-house-farm-bill-saves-nearly-40-billion
As farmers, the state National Resources Conservation Service and independent consultants continue to work together to protect natural resources while improving farm land potential, a gigantic backlog of wetland determinations remain in South Dakota.
(A quick background on this issue: In order for land owners to perform drainage activity, they must first have Wetland Determination done by an NRCS official in order to comply with the Federal Farm Program. This is called Conservation Compliance, which ensures that wetlands are protected and Farm Program eligibility remains.)
There has been a focus on ways to improve and expedite the Wetland Determination process from both the NRCS and commodity organizations during the past couple of years. Two examples would be the temporary NRCS hires and active independent consultants. While the number of processed determinations has increased, the demand continues to grow as farmers seek to improve their land with the numerous economic and environmental benefits that drainage can provide.
With the last update on the backlog from the NRCS in February, South Dakota’s total far outweighs that of other states with a whopping 3,175. Other totals from states in the Prairie Pothole Region include Minnesota with 1,889, North Dakota with 1,592 and Iowa with only 203.
A backlog update from the last South Dakota State Technical Committee meeting in March had shown 1,173 determinations were completed during the last four months prior to the meeting, but during that same time they had received an additional 1,174 applications. No doubt this inability to make progress on the backlog is frustrating for all parties involved and further attention to possible solutions is increasingly necessary.
“Farmers have a right to know what is happening with the process so they can follow the rules and do the right thing,” noted South Dakota Corn Growers Association president Mark Gross. “Some farmers have been stalemated from investing in their own land for over two years because of the lengthy backlog in which they have no control over. That’s a genuine problem and those folks deserve answers.”
Have you ever wondered how a corn planter precisely places millions of seeds into exactly the right spot? Learn that and more by watching Dell Rapids farmer, Bruce Burkhart explain the technology and mechanics of his corn planter and tractor in this “Adopt a Farmer” video.
Just as farmers continue to find ways to improve their efficiencies on the farm, ethanol plants are doing much of the same in their refineries. According to a new study from the University of Illinois – Chicago which surveyed over half of the United States ethanol plants, the results revealed an increase in yields and a decrease in energy and water usage over the past five years.
A newer product taking off in the ethanol industy is corn oil. The amount of corn oil being separated per bushel of corn has grown from .11 pounds per bushel in 2008 to .53 pounds per bushel in 2012. Corn oil has a number of uses, with the most notable being a popular feedstock for biodiesel as it has a low carbon intensity rating.
Even with that increase in corn oil extraction, the production of ethanol’s co-product distiller grains (high-protein livestock feed) remains nearly the same as plants seek to maximize their production of feed, fuel and now corn oil.
These improvements in efficiency are just another example of American innovation as hard-working folks find ways to further reduce ethanol’s carbon footprint and environmental impact. Ethanol now represents 10% of America’s fuel market and continues to create jobs, lessen greenhouse gas emissions, increase octane and save consumers money.
Corn Comments Podcast with Jim Woster.
Don’t forget folks, this coming Sunday is Mother’s Day. South Dakota Corn would like to wish a Happy Mother’s Day to all of the moms out there. In this week’s Corn Comments, Woster reflects on the important role that moms play in the family and the growing role that mothers now play on the farm.
Just a reminder, slots are filling up fast for the 22nd annual Corn Cob Open. Call the office today at 605-334-0100 to make sure you get your team signed up. There will be a morning and afternoon flight with a bountiful meal and great prizes to follow each round.
By the way, its always a great day to stand up for corn. Make sure you are a member of South Dakota’s most active commodity organization.
You can find South Dakota Corn everywhere. We’re talking to you—and each other—about the future of the industry that sustains us. And we have a lot to say. Be a part of the conversation.
Corn Comments Podcast
