SD Corn

U.S. Representative, Stephanie Herseth Sandlin, will be hosting the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack in Sioux Falls on Saturday, October 30 for a panel discussion and question and answer session discussing the biofuels industry and rural economy.

Vilsack will be highlighting the USDA’s new initiatives to install 10,000 new blender pumps and develop aviation biofuel.

Both Representative Herseth Sandlin and Secretary Vilsack have been long-time advocates of renewable energy and rural development.

“South Dakota annualy produces over one billion gallons of ethanol and this is an exciting opportunity to visit first hand with the United States Secretary of Agriculture,” said Gary Duffy, President of the South Dakota Corn Growers Association.

The event is open to the public and will take place on the Augustana College  campus in the Morrison Commons Building from 3:00-4:30PM. Parking access will be available at 30th and Grange Ave.

It has been 10 months since the EPA first delayed their decision on whether or not to move the minimum blend for non flex-fuel vehicles to E15 from E10. Twice, the EPA has delayed their decision because a lack of testing data. Finally, we may have some answers coming our way.

In a Congressional Hearing on Thursday, the Environmental Protection Agency’s Lisa Jackson said a decision on E15 for vehicles 2007 or newer should be announced by the middle of October. As for vehicles between 2001-2006, Jackson said that a decision should be made sometime in December.

“We are prepared to render our decisions within two weeks,” after getting the data, Jackson said.

There is no doubt that these potential moves would be a boost to the domestic ethanol industry, but failing to test vehicles prior to 2001 is an absolute failure by the EPA. Ricardo INC., an automotive engineering technology leader did its own study showing that E15 can be safely used in vehicles between the years of 1994-2000, which represent 25% of the vehicles on the road today.

While the ethanol industry will applaud any blend increase, there is concern that allowing only certain vehicle years will cause customer confusion at the pump. Besides confusion, the EPA is only delaying any potential growth of the clean energy economy in the United States.

“The EPA’s decision to bifurcate the E15 blend will likely confuse consumers and retailers, hindering additional ethanol sales,” said South Dakota Corn Growers Association President and Oldham, SD farmer, Gary Duffy. “Limiting E15 to only vehicles 2007 and newer drastically limits market penetration as those years represent such a small percentage of vehicles on the road today.”

Corn farmers from all across this great land will assemble this week in Washington D.C. for Corn Congress 2010 to discuss policy and meet with our nation’s leaders. Corn Congress not only allows the delegates to meet with representatives, but also delegates/farmers from other states that may share similar concerns.

“Coming to Washington is always an exciting time,” said, SDCGA President and Oldham, SD farmer, Gary Duffy. “There’s no better place to develop policy and talk about the issues and the legislation that affect corn growers back on the farm.”

A number of important topics including Farm Bill, CARB lawsuit and agriculture transportation will be discussed at Corn Congress, but the number one priority to be voiced by the South Dakota delegates will be ethanol. The ethanol industry has a number of concerns including the need for higher blends like E 15, mandatory flex-fuel vehicles and VEETC, which expires at the end of the year.

“You can sense the enthusiasm from our delegates, they understand the importance of the issues faced by farmers and know what needs to be done,” said Duffy. “Our delegates take pride in representing our states’ producers and appreciate the opportunity to spend time talking about their concerns directly with members of congress.”

11 Board directors from both the South Dakota Corn Growers Association and South Dakota Corn Utilization Council will be on Capitol Hill this week including Keith Alverson, Chad Blindauer, Jim Burg, Bill Chase, David Gillen, Brian Smith, Jim Thyen, Walt Bones, David Fremark, Mark Gross and Darrin Ihnen.

All of the South Dakota delegates will meet personally with Rep. Herseth-Sandlin, Sen. John Thune and Sen. Tim Johnson.

“South Dakota is blessed to have a close connection with their representatives,” said Duffy.  “They want to hear from farmers personally.”

A number of issues were addressed at the U.S. Ag Committee’s Farm Bill Hearing held on the Augustana Campus in Sioux Falls on Tuesday morning. South Dakota Corn Growers Association President, Gary Duffy, testified in front of the committee touching on a majority of the topics.

Crop Insurance

“Federal Crop Insurance is the greatest risk management tool producers have. No one knows what Mother Nature is going to do. Crop insurance is efficient and effective for all crops.”

Conservations Security Program

“The Conservation Security Program is a step in the right direction. South Dakota has the fifth highest enrollment in the program…Producers are very aggressive stewards of the land, and this program has awarded them for their efforts. “

Biotechnology

“Biotechnology holds great promise for farmers and consumers around the globe. Biotechnology benefits growing economies and the environment. South Dakota has the highest use of biotech traits in the nation at 96%. Biotechnology is a necessity with the worlds growing population…American Producers stand ready to meet this challenge. In order to meet the demands of a growing world, biotechnology is a necessity in order to provide food, fuel, feed and fiber.”

Ethanol

“Ethanol is the largest market for South Dakota corn. We need to extend VEETC immediately. We need E15, blender pumps…and vehicles with flexible fuel technology, now!”

Developing Rural Economies

Wind energy, cellulosic ethanol and broadband internet were discussed as additional ways to assist in the development of rural America. South Dakota is behind in wind energy compared to its neighboring states, but holds great potential.

Helping Young Farmers

It is widely noted that the average age of the American Farmer is 57. Both the panel and Ag Committee showed their concern and realize more needs to be done to address this issue. Ensuring that young people can strive and prosper in agriculture is vitally important to all rural communities across America.