Pain at the Pump

By: Kim Clark, Director of Biofuels Development

We are all feeling the pain at the pump and reaching deeper into our pockets to pay for that tank of gas.

Over the last couple of weeks gas prices have jumped significantly and are over $4.00 per gallon. Ouch! If you have a mid-sized vehicle it may take 15 gallons to fill up and will cost you at least $60.

Is there a benefit to these high gas prices? Yes! Flex fuel vehicle drivers can fill up for a lot less when they use E85, a blend of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline. The price of E85 varies across Nebraska ranging anywhere from $0.60 less per gallon up to $1.30 per gallon-an average savings of $0.95 per gallon.

Even with reduced fuel mileage of E85, today’s gas prices make it economical to use in flex fuel vehicles. Let’s say the same mid-sized vehicle is flex fuel and fills up with E85. 15 gallons at $3.05 per gallon is a cost of $45.75. Wow what a savings! $14.25 on one fill up.

One in ten Nebraskans drives a flex fuel vehicle and can fill up with E0, E85 and anything in between. If you are one of the lucky owners of a flex fuel vehicle you have flexibility. Vehicle owners can determine if they are driving a flex fuel vehicle by:

      • Looking for the flex fuel emblem on the body of the vehicle

      • Checking the gas cap

      • Checking the owners manual  

      • Visit E85Vehicles.com

There are more than 80 locations across Nebraska that offer E85 and other ethanol fuel blends such as E20 and E30. There are several good websites that list station locations with E85 and other ethanol. E85Prices.com is one of the better sources that is most current. If you have a smartphone, you can download a flex fuel locator app, too.

Why use ethanol fuel? Ethanol fuel is a homegrown, locally produced fuel that reduced greenhouse gas emissions, creates jobs and tax revenues, provides energy independence, reduces dependence on imported oil, and much more.

Next time you pull up to the pump, fill your flex fuel vehicle with E85 and save money at the pump.

Podcast: World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates

In this podcast, Scott Merritt, executive director of the Nebraska Corn Growers Association, discusses USDA's newest World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates—better known as the WASDE report.

After last year's record drought—and record corn prices—it's no surprise to see the WASDE report projecting a larger corn crop and lower prices. Corn production for 2013-14 is projected at 14.1 billion bushels. That's up 3.4 billion from last year.

Listen for more!

Nebraska Corn Kernel podcasts are also available on iTunes! Click here to subscribe.

Wordless Wednesday

Photos courtesy of Ashley Zeisler and Jennifer Rees. Please continue to share your images with us at Facebook.com/NebraskCornBoard or tweet photos to @NECornBoard.

Agribusiness Virtual Roundtable–John Campbell

*The Business Leaders "Virtual Roundtable" discussion was gathered for the Spring 2013 CornsTalk publication. The responses of these business associates were consolidated for the publication, but you can find the full responses through this blog series.

John Campbell, Senior Vice President, AGP (Omaha)

How does Nebraska's strength in agriculture—and corn, livestock and ethanol specifically—influence your business/organization? How does the fact that you are located in Nebraska provide a competitive advantage or growth opportunities for you?
AGP has invested heavily in Nebraska due to our position in the growing Western grain region, rail access to export markets and irrigated crops.

What should Nebraska do to leverage its strength in agriculture to enhance economic vitality across the state—and position the state for long-term success in meeting global demand for food, feed and fuel?
Nebraska lost our pork production industry while neighboring states grew. The economic losses to the state were substantial. If Nebraska is to take full advantage of our crop production capacity we must also value add through a vibrant and growing livestock sector that includes pork and dairy operations.

What do you think Nebraska consumers—especially those in urban areas—need to better understand about Nebraska agriculture and your organization's relationship to agriculture?
The consumer is constantly being hit with misinformation about the food that they eat. Almost any food can be unhealthy if not consumed in moderation. The food agenda it being formed by people and organizations that are well meaning but miss the most important point. Our most pressing food health problem is not one kind of food or another. The biggest problem is overconsumption of total calories coupled with lack of exercise.

How important is it that Nebraska corn farmers continue to invest in the future of their industry through their checkoff?
The corn check-off provides a collective voice for corn farmers to communicate with consumers and others about what they do and how they do it. A shockingly high number of consumers think that all the corn growing in the fields of Nebraska is for corn on the cob. They do not know that corn goes to feed animals that in turn provide meat.

What concerns you most about the future of agriculture in Nebraska? And what will it take to address those concerns?
Nebraska’s ace-in-the-hole is our underground water resources. Nobody likes regulation but both water quantity and water quality will suffer – perhaps irreversibly if water is not responsibly managed by both the local water authorities and by the State.

Any other comments or perspectives regarding Nebraska agriculture that you wish to share.
Biofuels have propelled a rural renaissance in Nebraska and allowed the State to thrive even through a deep and lasting National recession. It is critical that Nebraskans understand their connection not only to agriculture but agriculture’s connection to biofuels.

First week on the internship with US Grains Council

By Bryce Vaughn, U.S. Grains Council intern

I am happy to announce that I have completed my first week of my last internship of my college career at the U.S. Grains Council (USGC) in Washington D.C. I was assigned to work primarily for the Global Programs department which is directed under the leadership of Kim Karst.

During my first week I have had the opportunity to assist the team with completing the 2014 Unified Export Strategy (UES). The UES is the USGC’s strategy for the following year which is presented to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Foreign Agricultural Service. The UES proposal is submitted every year and provides the funding for the USGC to carry out their market development efforts. This is a major project for the office since the UES is due at the end of the month and the funding requested for the following year totals close to $15 million.

In addition to working on the UES, I have also been engaged in program coordination. In June, USGC staff and members will travel to Panama for the Latin America Co-Products conference. I have been assisting in the preparation of travel briefs for staff and consultants that will be traveling on behalf of the Council.

The main project for my internship will likely be working on two trade mission programs. A Taiwanese DDGS and corn team will travel to Minnesota, Illinois and Washington, and a Korean Biotech Team will travel to Washington, D.C. and Iowa. Both teams will travel to the U.S. in July, so this will give me the opportunity to participate in efforts from step one to the conclusion of their mission.

Interns chosen for Nebraska Corn Board programs

The Nebraska Corn Board is proud to select and support five college students as interns starting this summer.

Four of the five interns will be hosted by national cooperators of NCB: National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) in St. Louis, MO and Washington, D.C., the U.S. Grains Council (USGC) in Washington, D.C. and the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) in Denver, CO. The internship program in the NCB office in Lincoln is a year-long internship and has been engaging students for over 25 years.

“The cooperators of the Corn Board are very pleased with the college student interns that come out of Nebraska, which is why they are requested year after year,” said Don Hutchens, executive director for the Nebraska Corn Board. “Our board has observed the educational and career advantages that internships provide and consider internships as an investment into Nebraska’s agricultural future. Plus, it is great work experience for these Nebraska students.”

The NCB office in Lincoln welcomed Lauren Ibach of Sumner, Neb. for a year-long internship. Lauren will be a junior in agriculture education at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln. As part of her internship, she will oversee crop progress report placement, contribute to communication and outreach programs and help with education and promotion activities.

The National Corn Growers Association office in Washington, D.C. will host Kyle McGinn of Lincoln, Neb. as their summer intern supported by a partnership between NCB and NCGA. Kyle is a student in at the University of Nebraska-College of Law. He will be involved with a variety of agricultural issues related to environmental regulations, transportation, free trade agreements, biotechnology, ethanol and energy.

The National Corn Growers Association headquarters office in St. Louis, Mo. will host Casey Campbell of Santa Fe, New Mexico as their summer intern supported by a partnership between NCB and NCGA. Casey will be a junior in agricultural education at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln. She will be assisting with membership and communication programs, as well as participating in committee meetings.

The U.S. Grains Council will host Bryce Vaughn of Alliance, Neb. as their summer intern supported by a partnership between NCB and USGC. Bryce is a senior in agriculture economics with a focus in public policy and a minor in international studies at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln. He will be working with policy, assisting with international trade teams and helping to develop promotions and international relations.

The U.S. Meat Export Federation will host Michael Chao of Lincoln, Neb. as their summer intern supported by a partnership between NCB and USMEF.  Michael is a graduate student in meat science from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He will be assisting with beef and pork specific projects, as well as promotions and international relationship opportunities.

Interns were hosted for an Intern Orientation on May 3rd to go over their program and learn about the relationship between the Nebraska Corn Board and our cooperators. Mark Jagels, Jon Holzfaster and Alan Tiemann, board members, made the effort to share their roles on the national level with each of these cooperators, and to encourage the interns before starting their new endeavors.

Watch for updates from each intern this summer on the blog.

Life Through the Eyes of an Intern

Hello, My name is Lauren Ibach and this year I will be serving the Nebraska Corn Board as their Communications and Outreach Intern. I am from Sumner, Nebraska and I am a junior studying Agriculture Education at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. My family farm consists of a 450 head cow/calf operation, 35 head flock of sheep, and about  1,300 acres of irrigated crop land which is usually planted to corn or soybeans, this year though we have had to plant some fields to grass to help make up for the lack of pasture due to last year’s drought.  Some other activities I am involved in on campus are Alpha Chi Omega Sorority, Nebraska Agricultural Youth Council, Nebraska Human Resource Institute, and Alpha Zeta honors fraternity. Needless to say this upcoming school year is going to be very busy for me.

I started my internship with the Nebraska Corn Board on Monday May 13^th here at on the 4^th floor of the State Office Building. Before this summer I had spent all of my summer breaks working on my family’s farm and assisting my dad with jobs which usually meant I was doing chores and cleaning barns, so as you can imagine living in the big city instead of the country is going to take some getting used to. So far my biggest adjustment has been remembering to lock my car every time I get out of it and not forgetting the keys inside! I must admit this city living has some advantages though, for example I can get from place to place in 10 minutes now instead of having to plan an afternoon to go to town to shop or get groceries. Despite these advantages though I would still prefer to be a little further out of the city limits than I will be this summer but I guess my city house will have to do for a while.

Some activities I have been exposed to while at the office include reading blogs from various websites to help keep me informed about current agriculture happenings, video editing, washing the corn van, and answering the phone. I know answering the phone seems like one of my simpler tasks but I am yet to master the art of transferring calls. Hopefully I will get over my nerves soon. With the exception of my personal endeavors with the office phone I am fully enjoying my “office job” and am looking forward to the rest of my year working with the staff here at the Nebraska Corn Board and the corn producers of Nebraska.

Farm Bill….now?

By Kelly Brunkhorst, director of research

Déjà vu…but let’s hope that this time we have a different ending.

Tuesday, the Senate Agriculture Committee marked up and passed their version of a 2013 Farm Bill. The bill will now head to the full Senate for debate that is expected to happen in the next couple of weeks.

Like the National Corn Growers Association on their statement following passage, we are pleased to see action being taken on a new Farm Bill. Although it will be a long process, a critical first step has been accomplished and awaits full Senate action, while in the House Agriculture Committee, they working on their version of a new 5-year Farm Bill.

Providing farmers with certainty was one of our key points this past year as we pressed hard for a Farm Bill Now. You can catch past blogs here, here and here. Ultimately we were disappointed when the full House did not take action on a Farm Bill, even though it had passed the House Agriculture Committee and we settled on a last minute extension of the current Farm Bill.

Additionally, just as import as domestic demand is international demand and providing certainty, yet again, for our cooperators such as the U.S Grains Council and U.S. Meat Export Federation who utilize Foreign Market Development and Market Access Program funds was critical. Both FMD and MAP funding are part of the Farm Bill.

So as the House Agriculture Committee works through advancing their version of the Farm Bill, our hope is that will happen swiftly and then action can be taken on both bills in their respective Senate and House chambers. Then eventually through conference to work out differences in a bipartisan fashion…an action that we hope will be different than last year.

UPDATE:  Late into the evening on Wednesday, the House Agriculture Committee approved their version of new Farm Bill.  Our expectations are the full Senate will take action next week followed by the House in the early part of June.  

And through the entire process, your voice is important! Call your Representative and Senators and ask them to support a new five year Farm Bill that will provide you certainty on your operation.

Wordless Wednesday

Sunsets in Nebraska are one of a kind.

Rain isn't slowing this farmers planting progress.

Photos courtesy of @JayBehrends and @Rusty_Bill. Post your photos to Nebraska Corn Board or Tweet to @NECornBoard to share your planting progress with us!

2013 Crop Progress In Full Swing

Corn planting this spring continues to be well behind last year thanks to the unseasonably late snow and continual moisture. However, after last year it's hard to complain about the spring showers. As of now 43% of this year’s corn crop is in the ground compared to last year’s average of 89%. Thankfully due to technology advances farmers are able to plant more acres at a faster pace, so don't fret yet about getting the seeds in the ground. Corn planting was active during the early part of the week until a mid week rain slowed progress leaving only 4.7 days considered suitable for planting. Precipitation continues to be 25-50 percent above normal, and average temperatures were again lower than normal with lows below freezing in some areas. Hopefully as the spring progresses we will start to see more normal temperatures.

Soil temperatures as of Sunday were 55 degrees and higher throughout the state. These will continue to rise as the average daily temperatures increase. Statewide topsoil moisture levels rated 39% very short or short while subsoil moisture rated 82% very short or short. So despite the showers we are still running low on soil moisture and fighting to recover from last year. As of this week we have 2% of planted corn emerged which is well behind last year’s 52%. 

Here are some photos from this last week that were sent in by FFA chapters around the state. More photos are available at http://www.flickr.com/photos/necornboard/sets/72157633436384370/

This field was scheduled to be planted by now, but because of unseasonably cold weather and the precipitation, it will have to wait a few more days.

You can see some weeds are starting to emerge in this photo. A pre-emergence herbicide is set to be applied as well as fertilizer.