Year in Review 2009

NCB Replies to Inaccuracies, Blame of Corn; Pizza Hut Changes Advertising: In February, the Nebraska Corn Board (NCB) submitted a letter to Feedstuffs following an editorial from Dennis Avery laying blame for the crash of flight 1549 in the Hudson River on corn harvesters. Then the NCB, along with the Nebraska Corn Growers Association (NeCGA) also sent a letter to Pizza Hut on the inaccuracies in advertising regarding high fructose corn syrup (HFCS). A similar letter was also forwarded to all Pizza Huts in the state. Following the letter to Pizza Hut, NCB received a faxed letter in reply, that stated that they would be ceasing all reference to HFCS in their advertising of THE NATURAL^TM.

Corn Farmers Coalition Looks to Inform Policymakers: The Nebraska Corn Board, alongside nine other state corn organizations and the National Corn Growers Association, have formed the Corn Farmers Coalition as a way to inform policy makers on the major uses of corn, the sustainability of corn and the technologies that American farmers have been adopting in their production practices. Information, including the “The Corn Fact Book” can be found at www.cornfarmerscoalition.org.

Bosselman’s Opens Nebraska’s First Blenders Pump: Bosselman’s Pump and Pantry location #42 in Grand Island was the site of the dedication of the state’s first blenders pump. The Nebraska Corn Board and Corn Growers Association were present in April to thank Bosselman’s for their commitment to renewable fuels and to assist in pumping gas during the dedication. The blenders pump, which dispenses ethanol blends of e10 (for use in all vehicles) and e20, e30 and e85 for flex fuel vehicles is located at 1235 Allen Drive.

Nebraska Corn, Cattle Producers Make Joint Mission to WDC: Representatives of the Nebraska Corn Board and the Nebraska Cattlemen were in WDC in May to visit with their Congressional delegation on issues of priority and agreement. The third annual mission was an opportunity to highlight items of importance such as cap and trade, export promotion, navigable waters and the proposed budget. The group also had the opportunity to meet with USDA Chief Economist Dr. Joe Glauber, in which they discussed cost of the proposed cap and trade bill and supply and demand of grains.

NCB, NeCGA Launch “Sustaining Innovation” Campaign: The Nebraska Corn Board and the Nebraska Corn Growers Association (NeCGA) launched the “Sustaining Innovation” campaign in June. The campaign is aimed at promoting the many positive aspects of farming today. The information follows up on the successful national Corn Farmers Coalition (www.cornfarmerscoalition.org) campaign targeted toward the Washington DC area and partially sponsored by the NCB. The “Sustaining Innovation” campaign included radio and print advertising, along with truck billboards that are directed at more of the urban audience. More information on the campaign can be found at www.nebraskacorn.org; click on the “Sustaining Innovation” icon.

Thousands of Nebraskans Show Support for e15 Waiver: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) closed the comment period to increase the blend rate to 15% ethanol in late July. The Nebraska Corn Board was instrumental in coordinating the efforts of over 5,000 submitted comments to EPA in support of the waiver. The EPA then in December decided to wait until mid 2010 to make a final ruling. In addition, the NCB submitted comments on the proposed regulations that will govern the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS2) that was part of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007.

NCB, Corn States Team Up with Ethanol Industry on Blender Pump Campaign: The Nebraska Corn Board, along with the Kansas Corn Commission, Kentucky Corn Promotion Council, Missouri Corn Merchandising Council, South Dakota Corn Utilization Council, Iowa Corn Promotion Board, Ohio Corn Marketing Program, Illinois Corn Marketing Board, Corn Marketing Program of Michigan and National Corn Growers Association have teamed up with the American Coalition for Ethanol and Renewable Fuels Association on a nationwide blender pump campaign. The campaign, titled BYOEthanol (Blend Your Own), is an unprecedented campaign aimed at installing 5,000 blender pumps over the next three years. Blender pumps allow owners of flex fuel vehicles to choose predetermined blends between e10 and e85. More information can be found at http://www.byoethanol.org/.

NCB Research Shows e85 Most Efficient: In a study conducted by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and funded by the Nebraska Corn Board, results show that e85 fuel is the most efficient on a BTU / mile basis. The study was completed on nine different automobiles and refutes the notion that mileage losses are equal to lower energy content of ethanol fuels. In essence, the study proves that motorists can travel further on less energy with ethanol than with petroleum fuels.

NCB Gets Wired with Social Media: The Nebraska Corn Board has moved into the social media avenue as a way to reach an ever expanding electronic population. In today’s busy lifestyle, social media is becoming the best way to gather and provide information, news and current updates. It’s important for farmers and agribusinesses alike to become involved in social media to dispel rumors/myths about agriculture and to share agriculture’s story to consumers. Follow NCB on Twitter at www.twitter.com/NECornBoard; become a Facebook fan of Nebraska Corn Board at www.facebook.com; read the blog at www.NebraskaCorn.blogspot.com; and join LinkedIn to become part of the NCB group at www.linkedin.com.

Nebraska to Produce Record Corn Crop, Yield: The National Agriculture Statistics Service (NASS) has estimated that Nebraska could produce a record corn crop of 1.584 billion bushels and also a record yield of 178 bushels per acre. The estimate would surpass the current record production of 1.48 billion bushels and yield of 166 bushels per acre. Nationally, NASS is also projecting a record yield of 163 bushels per acre that would surpass the previous record of 160 bushels per acre. Updated production figures will be released by NASS on January 12.

Nebraska Agriculture Unites to fight Checkoff Funds Transfer: The Nebraska agricultural community came together in early November to fight the initial budget proposal to transfer checkoff funds from corn and other state checkoffs to the general fund. The transfer was proposed to help alleviate the $334 million shortfall in the budget, but then the agriculture community came together and sent a unified message. The message was clear that checkoff dollars are to be used only for research, promotion, education and market development and should not be used as a general tax dollar. Ultimately the Appropriations Committee unanimously voted to not allow the transfer of the funds.

Nebraska Corn Checkoff Update is published for corn industry leaders and others in Nebraska. For more information, call: 1.800.NECORN1 (632-6761) or send an e-mail to NCB.Info@nebraska.gov. Additional information can be found at the Nebraska Corn Board’s website, www.nebraskacorn.org.

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