Iowa Corn 2010

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MITCHELL COUNTY PRESS-NEWS, Osage, IA, Wed., Jan. 26, 2011

Iowa Corn

A s alut e t o our loc al produc er s

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A special ag supplement SECTION C MS-18697

Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2011 VOL. 146 • NO. 4

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MITCHELL COUNTY PRESS-NEWS, Osage, IA, Wed., Jan. 26, 2011

MITCHELL COUNTY PRESS-NEWS, Osage, IA, Wed., Jan. 26, 2011

U.S. corn growers harvest third largest corn crop Despite less than ideal planting and growing conditions in 2010, U.S. Corn growers harvested the third largest corn crop on record, according to the Crop Production 2010 Summary released today by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) 2010 U.S. corn production totaled 12.4 billion bushels, down 5 percent from the record corn crop in 2009.

Corn yield in 2010 is estimated at 152.8 billion bushels, down 11.9 bushels from last year.

“Corn growers are resilient and have an amazing ability to overcome weather challenges to produce the third largest corn crop on record,” said Kevin Rempp a corn farmer from Montezuma and Treasurer of the Iowa Corn Promotion Board. “Even though this corn crop is below last year’s, corn farmers across the U.S. continue to produce more with less. In the past 10 years production has risen 20 percent while using 37 percent less land, according to facts from the USDA.”

The 2010 growing season in Iowa was marked by more than enough moisture and a wide range of temperatures. In spite of these challenges, Iowa corn farmers were able to produce 2.153 billion bushels with an average yield of 165 bushels per acre.

“Every year Iowa has the potential to produce more corn than any other area in the world,” said Rempp. “However, because corn production is dependent on weather, the reduction in numbers for Iowa is not entirely unexpected.”

Corn farmers are already finalizing plans for the 2011 planting season with the potential for more corn acres to be planted. With new seed technology they will continue to meet the needs for food, feed, fuel and fiber across the world. According to trend line predictions, by 2020, U.S. corn farmers are expected to harvest at least 17 billion bushels, this will go a long way in meeting the needs of a growing world population.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Corn in Iowa People from all walks of life contact the Iowa Corn Promotion Board and the Iowa Corn Growers Association office with questions about corn and its uses.

Here are some of the most common questions: How much corn does Iowa produce?

In 2009, Iowa corn farmers grew almost 2.3 billion bushels of corn on 12.4 million acres of land. In 2007 they harvested more than 2.5 billion bushels on a record breaking 13.9 million acres.

Why is corn Iowa’s leading crop?

Corn has been the dominant crop in Iowa for more than 150 years! A number of factors contribute to make corn Iowa’s number one crop: * Iowa has a growing season that is long enough and warm enough to suit corn production. * Iowa usually receives enough rain to support healthy corn production. * Iowa has deep, rich soils that suit corn’s needs. * Iowa also produces lots of livestock whose waste includes nutrients that are key to fertilizing fields for better corn production. * A wide variety of corn hybrids are available that do especially well in Iowa’s environment.

How big is an acre?

Officially, one acre is 4,840 square yards or 43,560 square feet. To imagine how big that is, think of a standard football field, which is almost the same size.

When is corn harvested?

In Iowa, some farmers might begin

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harvesting corn by mid-September, but most of the harvest is likely to take place in October. In a cool year, when the corn matures more slowly, much of Iowa’s crop isn’t harvested until November.

Harvest times can vary a good deal because different corn hybrids take different lengths of time to mature. Even

When corn is harvested, what hap pens to the cob and the husks?

Modern combines strip the husks off each ear and remove the kernels from the ears as part of the harvesting process.

The combine spreads the husks and cobs back onto the field as it moves but keeps the grain in a holding tank until it can be

Native Americans, then by early settlers and modern scientists, have resulted in bigger, fuller ears of corn and made corn one of the world’s three leading grain crops.

How many ears grow on a corn plant?

Different corn plants have different numbers of ears, but much of the field corn grown in Iowa is bred to develop just one large ear rather than several incomplete ears. This approach usually yields better total production.

How many kernels are there on an ear of corn?

The number of kernels per ear can vary from 500 to about 1,200, but a typical ear would have 800 kernels, according to corn experts.

What state produces the most corn?

Iowa has produced the largest corn crop of any state for each of the past 14 years. In an average year, Iowa produces more corn than most whole countries.

For example, Iowa grows three times as much corn as a country like Argentina.

How much corn is grown on one acre?

In 2007, Iowa corn growers harvested an average of 182 bushels per acre.

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How tall is a typical corn plant?

A typical corn plant can be anywhere from 5 feet to 12 feet tall. Under good growing conditions in Iowa, plants are commonly about 8 feet tall by midsummer. A healthy corn plant’s root system will reach about 6-1/2 feet into the ground!

when plants are physically mature, farmers might wait to harvest them until corn kernels have dried further so that the corn can be stored for longer periods of time.

unloaded into a truck. In the field, the cobs and husks are still valuable because they help maintain good soil fertility and structure, just as compost and mulch do in home gardens.

How big is a bushel?

A bushel began as a measure of volume, but the accepted standard for a bushel of corn is now measured in weight: 56 pounds. That’s for shelled corn (after the husks and cobs are removed). It is about the size of a large bag of dog food.

About the Corn Plant Where does corn come from?

Corn is descended from a plant called teosinte, which still grows in Mexico, and the first corn plants seem to have appeared in Mexico. The earliest known ears of corn were tiny - only a few inches long. Centuries of breeding, first by

Why are there silks on corn?

The silks on corn are essential for pollen from the tassels to fertilize the plant. Each silk will convey pollen to one site on a developing ear of corn, making it possible for that site to develop into a kernel of corn. If it’s too hot in the summer, the silks can dry out before all the sites on a corn cob are fertilized. As a result, there will be gaps on that ear of corn where no kernels developed because they weren’t fertilized.

How much ethanol do you get from a bushel of corn?

Many ethanol plants now produce 2.7 gallons of ethanol and about 18 pounds of animal feed from each bushel of corn.

Corn and ethanol production are now so efficient that it takes less energy to grow the crop and process it than the amount of energy in the ethanol itself. See the Ethanol Section for more info.

MITCHELL COUNTY PRESS-NEWS, Osage, IA, Wed., Jan. 26, 2011

MITCHELL COUNTY PRESS-NEWS, Osage, IA, Wed., Jan. 26, 2011

Iowa farmers support ethanol partnership with NASCAR The Iowa Corn Promotion Board and the Iowa Corn Growers Association in conjunction with the National Corn Growers Association are among the organizations backing American Ethanol, a partnership including Growth Energy and NASCAR. This new partnership, announced by NASCAR CEO Brian France, comes just weeks after NASCAR publicly stated that it would be taking its environmental commitment to the next level by fueling its races with Sunoco Green E15 - a fuel that includes 15 percent renewable American ethanol, which is produced from corn that is grown and harvested by American farmers, and then processed and produced at ethanol plants across the United States.

Led by Growth Energy, nearly 100 different entities - from individual ethanol plants to NCGA to biotech companies to the Iowa Corn Promotion Board and the Iowa Corn Growers Association- are rallying around NASCAR to communicate their corn-ethanol message, through the American Ethanol brand.

“This partnership is an opportunity to communicate to a whole new audience, about American corn-based ethanol,” said Dick Gallagher, Iowa Corn Promotion Board Chairman.

Gallagher

went on to say, “NASCAR is literally driving the positive ethanol story into thousands of households across the U.S. and we hope consumers will continue to drive with it to work and the grocery store, just like the pros do.”

“Today, America’s sport and America’s fuel have kicked-off one of the most exciting partnerships in the history of NASCAR,” said NASCAR Legend Rusty Wallace. “This is a great moment for our sport and a great moment for the hardworking men and women across the country who help make and produce this great fuel.”

“There is nothing more American than NASCAR, and there is no fuel more American than ethanol.

This is a perfect partnership,” said Tom Buis, CEO of Growth Energy. “We are so proud that the bounty which America’s farmers produce throughout the week will be used in NASCAR racing on Sunday.”

As an Official NASCAR Partner, American Ethanol will become a truly integrated industry player with activation to include exciting firsts for the sport: Starting with Daytona in 2011, NASCAR’s Green Flag will be branded to feature both American Ethanol and NASCAR Green; symbolizing

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NASCAR’s continued efforts toward environmental responsibility.

The driver with the fastest average speed on restarts per race will be presented with the American Ethanol Green Flag Restart Award American Ethanol branding on the Fuel Port of every car in each NASCAR national series Presenting sponsorship of the NASCAR Green Summit “NASCAR and American Ethanol are ideal partners,” said NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France.

“NASCAR is a great American sport in its third generation of family ownership, and ethanol is produced from the harvest of family-owned farms across our country’s heartland.

American Ethanol’s new partnership with NASCAR is much larger and more ambitious than a typical sports sponsorship. Here we have an entire industry looking to NASCAR to communicate its message that America is capable of producing its own renewable, greener fuel. The entire NASCAR industry will benefit from American Ethanol’s multi-faceted support of NASCAR, as well as from thousands of farmers and members of the ethanol supply chain now serving as new ambassadors for the sport.”

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The Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA) will be working with Iowa lawmakers during the 2011 Legislative Session to maintain funding for programs important to Iowa corn growers and to monitor any policy that could negatively affect farmers.

“This year we know that state budgets are going to be an issue,” said Mindy Larsen Poldberg, ICGA Director of Government Relations.

“Our goal will be to maintain funding for issues important to our corn growers and to protect our existing agricultural tax credits as well as maintain funding and support for programs such as the Renewable Fuels Standard.”

In late August, grassroots representatives from the Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA) reinstated expiring policies and adopted new issues at the ICGA’s annual policy confer-

ence in Des Moines. The grassroots delegation held key policy discussions on emerging state and federal issues such as carbon, climate change, and indirect land use.

The following issues will be key ICGA priorities in 2011:

taxes or credits. The ICGA expects budget discussions will be a major part of the 2011 legislative session and will be working on behalf of farms in Iowa on agricultural taxes.

* Support for Iowa’s Livestock Farmers - The ICGA is committed to a healthy Iowa livestock industry and works with other farm groups to make sure that legislation affecting livestock production is responsible, reasonable and science based.

Livestock is corn’s largest customer, and a healthy livestock industry is essential to the Iowa economy.

* Ethanol Infrastructure - Iowa’s Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Fund assists retailers in upgrading to E85, blender pumps or for biodiesel infrastructure. The ICGA is committed to maintain or expand the Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Fund. This program provides an opportunity for retailers to upgrade their infrastructure through cost-sharing grants of up to 70%. * Ethanol Tax Credits and Iowa Renewable Fuels Standard - 2010 was the second year in the implementation schedule for Iowa’s 25% Renewable Fuels Standard. The ICGA

* Budget and Agriculture Taxes With State government considering budget cuts, the ICGA will be working to maintain agricultural related

is committed to maintaining the long-term integrity of the program with a goal of 25% renewable fuels over the long term. If allowed to work, the 25% Iowa RFS will take Iowa to an average 25% renewable fuels use by 2019. * Commercial Nitrogen Application - Iowa farmers have made measurable progress in conservation and water quality. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) data, farmers’ use of nitrogen and phosphorus per bushel has been drastically reduced over the past 25 years. The ICGA is committed to allowing commercial nitrogen application based on sound science and agronomic practices and not through state regulations.

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ICGA to work with Iowa Legislature on policy

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MITCHELL COUNTY PRESS-NEWS, Osage, IA, Wed., Jan. 26, 2011

MITCHELL COUNTY PRESS-NEWS, Osage, IA, Wed., Jan. 26, 2011

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This history of corn:

The history of Corn Christopher Columbus and the explorers that followed him took corn back to Europe and introduced it to the world. Native American Indians taught European colonists to grow many varieties of the corn including yellow, red, blue, pink, and black kernels, often banded, spotted, or striped.

In the 1600s, early English settlers found the Indians of present-day northeastern United States growing a hard flint variety of corn that matured early.

Other English colonists

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who settled farther south found the Indians growing a soft-kernelled latematuring dent corn. As time went on, the new settlers to America began to depend on corn as one of the most important farm crops.

American farmers have always wanted to grow strong healthy corn plants that yield as much as possible. In the later 1800s scientists worked on the development of hybrid corn. This research led to better varieties of corn and higher yields.

An Iowan named Henry A. Wallace developed an early variety of hybrid corn based upon his own scientific research. In 1926, he organized a seed company that is still known today as the Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc.

The number of farmers that used hybrid corn continued to increase through out the 20th century. As more farmers used hybrid corn, more corn was produced. In 1933 the average yield was 33 bushels per acres. In 1997 the yield had increased to 127 bushels per acre.

Shelled corn goes from combine to wagon Corn is good for feeding hogs, cattle and other livestock, and many other products are made from corn too. In 1900, the main corn product was starch.

Today, thousands of uses for corn products have been discovered, and more uses are being found each day. Every part of the kernel and even the water in which it is processed are used.

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Officials from Absolute Energy, L.L.C. of St. Ansgar applauded a decision announced late last week by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to raise the amount of ethanol from E10 to E15 for all vehicles built in the last decade. Absolute Energy, L.L.C. officials say the move will create U.S. jobs, reduce carbon emissions and strengthen our national security.

The decision today to permit E15 for 2001-to-2006 model year vehicles follows an October decision by EPA to permit blends up to E15 in vehicles 2007 model year and newer. The EPA was responding to a regulatory petition, the Green Jobs Waiver, filed in March 2009 by Growth Energy, America’s leading coalition of ethanol supporters. Absolute

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lent of taking 1.35 million vehicles off the road. Increasing the domestic, renewable fuel supply would also displace some of the 7 billion gallons of oil that is imported every day into the United States from countries such as Venezuela, Saudi Arabia and Nigeria, at a cost of more than $300 billion annual-

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When Columbus “discovered” America, there was no corn on board the Nina, Pinta or Santa Maria. Before 1492, no one living in Europe ate corn cakes, corn bread or corn pudding. They didn’t know corn existed.

Up to this time, corn grew only in the Americas.

Scientists believe corn was originally cultivated by Indians in the highlands of Mexico thousands of years ago.

The Indians discovered that corn was good to eat and very nutritious.

Mural by Lowell Houser, The Development of Corn, Post Office, Ames, Iowa As Indian groups migrated north they brought corn with them.

American Indians were growing corn in many parts of North America long before the first arrival of European explorers and traders.

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ly to our economy.

“Today’s decision positions America to capitalize on the potential of ethanol to change our country’s energy future for the better,” said Rick Schwarck.

“When we make and use more ethanol in the United States, we create U.S. jobs, and improve the environment by

displacing conventional gasoline with a low-carbon fuel.

And it’s about time we start making jobs in our country instead of sending all our money overseas.”

The previous E10 standard which permits up to 10 percent ethanol blended into fuel - was set in the 1970s to help spur the growth of a domestic, renewable fuels industry in answer to America’s first major oil crisis, engineered by OPEC. Since then, the United States has remained addicted to foreign oil; two-thirds of the oil used in this country comes from overseas.

In March 2009, Growth Energy filed a petition with EPA to permit the raising of that regulatory cap on the ethanol blend from 10 percent to 15 percent to displace more foreign oil.

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MITCHELL COUNTY PRESS-NEWS, Osage, IA, Wed. Jan. 26, 2011

MITCHELL COUNTY PRESS-NEWS, Osage, IA, Wed., Jan. 26, 2011

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It begins with a kernel...

Masa Perhaps the oldest method of corn processing is the masa process developed in the Americas long before the time of Columbus. It involves boiling corn kernels in a lime solution, then soaking, washing, drying and grinding the corn into masa flour.

Masa flour is used to make tortillas, snack foods, taco shells, tostados and traditional foods.

Dry Milling for Grits, Corn meal, Corn Flour The most common dry milling process begins by cleaning the corn and tempering it to 20 percent moisture, then removing the oil-containing germ and most of the fiber. The remainder, mostly starch and protein, is dried, sifted and ground into many different sizes of grits, corn meal, and corn flour. The germ and fiber are processed to make crude corn oil, hominy feed, bran products, corn meal, and more grits, meals and flours. In addition to food uses, dry milled corn products have industrial applications in insulation, fiber board, plywood, particle board, as binders in various products, and in livestock feed and pet foods.

Grits are used in: Corn meal goes into: Corn cones/flour is

used in: Brewing beer Corn flakes Other breakfast cereals Snack foods Bakery mixes Cereals Corn bread Corn meal mixes Corn muffins Fritters Hush puppies Pancake mixes Snacks Spoon bread Baby foods Bakery mixes Breadings, coatings and batters Cereals Dusting for pizzas English muffins Fermentation processes Meat products Pancakes, muffins, doughnuts Wet Milling for Starch, Corn Sweeteners, Fermentation Products Wet milling (refining) involves soaking the corn, then grinding it and separating its components. Throughout the process, the corn flows in a stream of water (which gives the process its name). Most of the fiber and protein go into animal feed; the oil is a premium heart-healthy oil for humans. The starch, highly purified to remove other components, can be treated in different ways to modify its performance or to break it into simple sugars.

The resulting corn sweeteners can be fermented to transform them into yet more valuable products.

Wet milling one bushel of corn produces...

- 1.6 pounds of crude corn oil, plus - 13.5 pounds of corn gluten feed, plus - 2.6 pounds of corn gluten meal, plus - 31.5 pounds of starch.

The starch can be further modified to produce 33 pounds of corn sweeteners or 2.7 gallons of ethanol Ethanol, Livestock Feed, and CO2 Corn-based ethanol can be made through either a dry or a wet milling process. In either case, about a third of the grain ends up as livestock feed: distillers grains if it comes from the dry process or corn gluten feed and corn gluten meal if it comes from the wet process.

Ethanol plants also capture carbon dioxide from the process and sell it for use as dry ice or in carbonated beverages.

Industrial Starch Uses: Industrial Sweetener Uses: Industrial Fermentation Products: Paper, recycled paper Cardboard Textiles Glues and adhesives Batteries Bookbinding Cleaners, detergents Coatings on paper, wood and metal Color carrier for printing Crayons and Chalk Dyes Fireworks Industrial filters and water recovery

Lubricants Ore and oil refining Paints Plastics Rubber tires Surgical dressings Wallboard and wallpaper Acetic acid Charcoal briquettes Dyes and inks Enzymes Insecticides Laminated building materials Matches Metal plating Organic solvents Paper Plasticizing agents Rayon Shampoo Shoe polish Textiles Theatrical makeup Acetic and amino acids Blankets and bedding Carpet tile Cosmetics Electroplating and galvanizing Food packaging Disposable cold drink cups, plates and cutlery Industrial chemicals Leather tanning Mannitol Organic solvents Paper Plastics Plasticizers Soaps and cleaners Sports and active wear Textiles Food and Drug Starch Uses: Food and Drug Sweetener Uses: Food and Drug Fermentation Products: Aspirin Baby food Baked goods Baking powder Cake, cookie, dessert mixes Candies Cereals Coffee whitener Dried soups Drugs

Gravy mixes Instant breakfast foods Instant pudding mix Instant teae Salad dressings Spray cooking oil Powdered mixes Powdered sugar Precooked frozen foods Salt Seasoning mixes Yeast Alcoholic beverages and brewing Baby foods Bacon Baked goods Caramel color Carbonated and fruit beverages Canned fruits, fruit fillings Cereals Cheese spreads Chewing gum Condiments Confections, chocolate Drugs Food coloring Frosting and icing Frozen and dried eggs Hams Hot dogs, bologna Ice cream, sherbets, and frozen puddings Jams, jellies, preserves Marshmallows Peanut butter Pet food Pickles and relishes Sausage Snack foods (pretzels, potato chips, corn chips) Soups Spices Tomato sauces Vegetables Vinegar Worcestershire sauce Yeast Antibiotics Bakery products Citric acid Drugs Enzymes Food acids Pharmaceuticals Wine

Absolute Energy has been in operation since February 2008

St. Ansgar’s Absolute Energy has successful year

by David Namanny Press-News Editor It was nearly three years ago that Absolute Energy LLC, Mitchell County’s locally-owned ethanol plant north of St., Ansgar, produced it’s first gallon of ethanol.

Since then, it has been pumping out around 115 million gallons of ethanol annually, as well as producing millions of pounds of valuable byproducts which are also marketed across the country.

According to Absolute Energy Chairman, President and CEO Rick Schwarck, the plant has had a good year in 2010.

“We are profitable and just declared an approximate $7 million dividend

to 470 members, most of whom are local,” he said.

“We have had a very successful year not only financially but also in safety, cleanliness, environmental compliance and every other single category we benchmark.

We are very optimistic about our future.”

Absolute Energy is a distillers grains and ethanol facility that has been in operation since February 2008. The 115 million gallons of ethanol the plant produced is shipped by rail to locations in Albany, NJ, Sewaren, NJ and Chicago, IL. The facility also processes approximately 41 million bushels of locally grown corn into about 697 million

pounds of distillers grains annually.

These distillers grains contain close to 195 million pounds of protein and 80 million pounds of corn oil which contributes greatly to the world’s food supply.

Absolute Energy LLC exports most of their distillers grains to help feed countries like China, Korea and Mexico.

During the fermentation process Absolute Energy LLC removes the lower value starch from the mash to produce 115 million gallons per year of ethanol fuel while simultaneously concentrating the high value protein and oil into their distillers grain. continued on page 6C

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A corn kernel is made up of four major components: starch, fiber, protein and oil.

Corn can be processed in different ways to tap into these components and use them in all kinds of products. A typical grocery store will contain 4,000 products that list corn ingredients on the label but many other products also depend on corn, from paper goods and cardboard packaging to all the meat, milk, eggs, poultry, and other protein products that come from cornfed animals.

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MITCHELL COUNTY PRESS-NEWS, Osage, IA, Wed., Jan. 26, 2011

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MITCHELL COUNTY PRESS-NEWS, Osage, IA, Wed., Jan. 26, 2011

Corn Production in Iowa and the U.S. * Iowa has led the nation in growing corn for 15 straight years now. * In 2009, Iowa farmers produced an estimated 2.2 billion bushels. * USDA estimates indicate the state’s corn crop in 2007 was worth $10.4 billion. * More than 52,800 farms in Iowa grow corn. * The Iowa corn crop in 2008 averaged 168 bushels per acre (an acre is about the size of a football field). * Around 40% of Iowa’s corn goes to livestock feed within the state, 24% to produce ethanol, 12% to food uses, and 24% leaves the state, most of it for livestock feed. * More than half (57%) of the total U.S. corn crop last year was fed to cows, pigs, chickens, turkey and other food animals. * The U.S. exports corn to approximately 60 nations. * The Wall Street Journal estimates that U.S. gas prices would be 15% higher if not for biofuels. * A kernel of corn is comprised of four major components: starch, fiber, protein, and oil. * A typical grocery store will contain 4,000 products listing corn as an ingredient. * The oldest method of corn processing is grinding corn into masa flour, used to make, among other things, tortillas, snack foods, taco shells, and tostados. * The earliest known ears of corn were only a few inches long.

Centuries of breeding by Native Americans, early settlers and modern scientists have made corn one of the world’s three leading grains crops.

MS-18695 MS-18695

11C

TWO VERY DIFFERENT CORN BREAD RECIPES

St. Ansgar’s Absolute Energy has good year continued from page 5C

With 45 employees, Absolute Energy also has a huge impact here in the local Iowa and Minnesota area - not to mention the local farmers who produce most the corn it uses.

In terms of the politics of ethanol and the latest renewable fuel blenders tax credits, Schwarck said they are important to the local industry.

“The tax credits are important to the consumer, as most of the tax credit is passed through to them and lowers their price at the pump by about 4.5 cents per gallon,” explained Schwark. “Since E10 costs less, more is consumed increasing market share and creating a larger market for

Johnson Chemicals Co. Before You go to the field see Bill & Mike Clark for all your planting needs

* Startup and construction cost is estimated at $150 million. * Absolute Energy has 470 investors, most are from Iowa and Minnesota.

rail lines, Canadian Northern and Iowa Central & Eastern. * On site storage includes enough for 24 million bushels of corn and 3 million gallons of ethanol.

* Building construction began Sept. 5, 2007 and was completed in Feb. 2008 * The 208-acre site is served by spurs from two

The 115 million gallon a year operation is on Stateline Road nine miles north of St. Ansgar in Mitchell County.

area corn growers.”

As has been the case since the local ethanol plant was just an idea, Schwarck is also looking at the bigger picture, especially the continuing conflicts

in the Middle East. “We are dreaming if we believe we can continue to count on that as a steady supply of fossil fuel.

Ethanol is a key to the solution.”

Old-Fashioned Basic Corn Bread This is a rather old- fashioned approach that produces a coarse, crumbly cornbread with a lot of corn flavor. In the past, it was often served topped with white or navy beans and a sprinkling of crisp bacon or fried out bits of ham. New research shows that corn-based foods using corn meal are a good dietary source of antioxidants.

3 tablespoons bacon fat 2 cups yellow corn meal 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/4 cup milk 1 egg 1 cup buttermilk Heat oven to 425 degrees. Put bacon fat in a cast-iron skillet, coating the sides and bottom.

Put in hot oven until fat sizzles. Meanwhile, mix together (do not sift) the corn meal, baking powder, salt and baking soda.

Stir the milk,egg and buttermilk together (do not beat it).Pour the milk mixture into the corn meal mixture and stir just until the corn meal is moistened. It will be lumpy. Remove skillet from oven and pour the bacon fat into the batter, stirring it in quickly. Immediately pour the batter back into the skillet, return to the oven, and bake 25 to 35 minutes.

Custard Corn Bread An Amish recipe from Indiana, this starts with some similar methods but produces a very different corn bread with a thin custard layer on top.Serve it with lots of butter.Corn is not only a good source of antioxidants - the process of milling corn into corn meal makes the antioxidants easier to digest.Some scientists argue that milled yellow corn products should be classed with other antioxidant foods like carrots, tomatoes and spinach.

2 tablespoons butter 1 1/3 cups corn meal 1/3 cup all-purpose flour 1/4 cup plus 1 teaspoon sugar 1 1/2 teaspoons salt 2 eggs 2 cups milk 1 cup buttermilk paprika Heat the oven to 400.Place butter in a 9- inch skillet and heat it as the oven warns but do not let it brown. Sift the corn meal, flour, sugar, and salt together in a large bowl. Add the eggs and break them up with a fork.

Stir in 1 cup of the milk and all the buttermilk and mix together with a spoon.

Pour the batter into the skillet on top of the melted butter. Do not mix it in. Pour the last cup of milk over the top of the batter. Do not stir it in. Sprinkle paprika on top (to taste). Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until golden. Cut into wedges and serve warm with plenty of butter.

Dealership for Mustang Landoll & Parker

For Sale or Rent

* Fall Strip-Till * Chemicals * Seeds * Plowdown P. & K. * Starter Fertilizer * 32% Nitrogen * Custom No-Till & Conventional Planting

• Landoll Tillage Equipment • IH 856D Tractor • 2pt. Hitch will fit IH 400-560 • Gas Engine - fits IH 300 • IHP 490 Disk • 2076 Skidloader

• Investors purchased nearly 9 times more ground than new farmers (25% vs. 3%) in 2010 • Out of state residents own 21% of Iowa farmland • The average Iowa land price in 2010 was $5,064 per acre (all-time high) • 54% of all Iowa farms are rented • 78% of Iowa’s land is owned by those 55 years and older • From Iowa State Extension Service (2009-10)

We are proud to work hand in hand with the Corn Producers in our area. Working together to produce the best possible corn crops.

1820 State Street Osage, Iowa

641-732-4246

About Absolute Energy, L.L.C.

Stacyville Farm Implement Repair, Inc. OPEN: Mon. - Fri. 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. • Sat. 7:30 a.m. - 12 Noon MS-18937

Stacyville, Iowa • (641) 710-2421

MS-19349

MS-18508

10C

MITCHELL COUNTY PRESS-NEWS, Osage, IA, Wed., Jan. 26, 2011

MITCHELL COUNTY PRESS-NEWS, Osage, IA, Wed., Jan. 26, 2011

National survey shows support of farmers and ethanol A nationwide survey conducted for the National Corn Growers Association has found broad public respect and trust for family farmers and support for corn as food, feed and fuel.

Ninety- five percent of those polled find farmers to be trusted messengers on issues such as agriculture, corn products and ethanol - and ethanol itself was supported or strongly supported as a good fuel alternative by 65 percent.

When it comes to uses for corn, support was broad.

Ninety-five percent support its use as food for people and 93 percent as livestock feed, while 67 percent support the use of corn as a sweetener and 65 percent, as noted, support corn ethanol. Other uses of corn, such as for fiber and packaging, were supported by 73 percent of those polled.

Respondents also spoke out about what they saw as the top benefits of corn-based ethanol.

Thirty-four percent mentioned reduced dependence on foreign oil, 19 percent mentioned the creation of new jobs and 16 percent liked it for its environmental benefits.

“Nationally, this survey is great news that corn resonates positively with consumers,” Textor of the NCGA says. “We want that momentum to continue right here in Iowa through our promotions and education that will continue to drive that message.”

The survey of 1,000 U.S. voters nationwide was conducted in mid-September 201o by David Binder Research and has a margin of error of 3.1 percent.

For more information on the survey, please visit NCGA Web site www.ncga.com.

Mitchell County producer: Organic corn a viable option

by Jim Cross Press-News Reporter In 1999, Mitchell County farmer Leland Minnis made the change to start growing organic corn.

“At the time, the price of organic corn was twice that of conventional corn,” said Minnis. “It was a nice incentive to switch.”

Before a farmer can become “certified” in organic crops, he must go three years without using chemicals on his fields.

Currently, Minnis has 200 acres certified as organic, although not all is planted corn.

“Once a crop is planted, I cultivate the ground three times,” continued on page 9C

• Yield Protection • Revenue Protection • Crop Hail Insurance LOCAL 641-732-4682 TOLL FREE 800-373-6081

Agribusiness

No one puts their money where our mouths are like American farmer.

We see the results of your hard work and committment three times a day. We depend on it. You can depend on the folks at Shelter to take the same pride in our performance as you do in yours. Call us today to find out how we can help. Seek Shelter Today!

MS-18507

Minnis modified this cultivator to included a 250-gallon LP tank used to kill foxtail weeds.

Solutions

Visit with our ag lending professionals about solutions for your individual financial needs!

Brad Smith Osage, IA 641-732-5108

North Country Equipment, LLC Northwood 641-324-1154 MS-18631

Jason Zander VP, Loan Officer

Osage 641-732-3719 MS-18515

John Molitor Community Bank President

www.firstcitizensnb.com 501 Main Street • Osage, IA 50461 641-732-3701

MS-18908

1531 Main St., Osage, Iowa

7C

8C

MITCHELL COUNTY PRESS-NEWS, Osage, IA, Wed., Jan. 26, 2011

MITCHELL COUNTY PRESS-NEWS, Osage, IA, Wed., Jan. 26, 2011

From the field to the table in Mitchell County

Organic corn farming in Mitchell County cont. from page 7C

by Jim Cross Press-News Reporter How many people are aware there are sweet corn fields right here in Mitchell County?

About 12 years ago, Mike Heimer started growing peas for Seneca Foods of Rochester.

“I had been growing the peas for about five years when the company stated they wanted to expand their sweet corn crop,” he said.

“The company was looking to expand its acres in southern Minnesota and northern Iowa, so they gave us a

call to see if we would like to grow sweet corn.”

Each year, Heimer has 80-90 acres of land contracted for growing sweet corn.

“With having a contract, there a few things you have to get used to,” said Heimer. “You don’t get to decide when you are going to plant.

“The cannery personnel decide when it is time to plant.”

He said the main reason was for the timing of the harvest.

“They have several sweet corn farms and they don’t want all the crops to be ready at the

Unverferth Seed Tenders

Schaben Sprayer

SPECIFICATIONS

SPECIFICATIONS • 275 & 375 Seed Units • Conveyor Unloads & Loads Tender • 6” & 8” Conveyors Available • Scale & Wireless Remote Options • Honda 11 HP Motor & Tarp Std. • Model 400-4 Box Tenders Also Avail.

same time,” he said.

There are approximately 1,000 acres of sweet corn located in Mitchell County.

“The company is only able to harvest about 80-90 acres per day,” said Heimer. “The closer it gets to harvest, someone from the cannery will come about once a week to check on the crop, then switch to every couple of days.

“They then decide the order of fields for harvesting.”

Heimer stated it was a good and bad situation when it came to the planting.

SCHABEN 6500/8500/8650 SPRAYERS • 1000-1650 gallon tanks • Booms: 60 ft. - 120 ft.

• Rayen Monitors • 7-Function Hydraulic Boom Control • Chemical inductors & Guidance Systems available • Various other configurations & Options Available

Join us for our CUSTOMER APPRECIATION DAY WEEK! Come & Meet New Owners Steve & Corky Follmuth Cookies & Refreshments ALL WEEK!!

Specials on Parts & Whole Goods All WEEK!!

Feb. 21st thru Feb. 25th

Gordy’s Repair & Implement, Ltd. MS-18981

641-710-2289

Stacyville, Iowa

www.gordysrepair.com

“It is good because we don’t get to plant until June,” he said. “By then, we are done with all of our other planting and it is a chance to get back into the planter again.

“The bad part is people wonder why I haven’t planted anything yet!”

Also, the company determines the time to plant based on ground temperatures.

“Unlike conventional farming, planting is also staggered among all the fields to ensure all will not be ready for harvest at the same time,” said Heimer.

Sweet corn is a 90day crop from planting to harvest.

“With last year’s excellent growing season, the crop was ready for harvest in 80 days,” said Heimer.

When it comes to herbicides and pesticides, there are certain restrictions when spraying these crops grown for human consumption.

“We are provided with a list of approved chemicals,” said Heimer.

Since the crop is planted later than conventional ones, weed control can be much easier to handle.

“Sometimes we may cultivate but we can generally take out the weeds with normal tillage or burn-down

he said. “With conventional corn growing, most farmers don’t cultivate. They use chemicals to take off the weeds.”

When the corn reaches approximately one-foot in height, Minnis cultivates with a “flame” cultivator.

This type of cultivator is a standard cultivator modified with burners and an LP tank.

“The cultivator shoots flames under the leaves on the cornstalks,” said Minnis. “It kills the foxtail plants but not the corn, which is much higher on the stalk.”

An individual from Albert Lea designed the flame-throwing burners.

Mike Heimer herbicides,” he said.

Planting sweet corn last can sometimes lead to being the first to harvest in the fall.

“The company comes in with its own equipment to complete the harvesting,” he said. “It takes a special head on the combine because the entire ear is taken off the stalk.”

The prices for his

9C

contracts are determined in February for the coming harvest.

“The prices are competitive, as with any market,” said Heimer.

Come this June in eastern Mitchell County, you’ll see Heimer out planting another crop of sweet corn for our dining room tables.

MS-18942

After Minnis completes the burn-off, he waits three-to-four days and then cultivates the dead foxtail.

“I generally cultivate three to four times a year,” he said.

Minnis plants approximately 50 acres of corn.

With the 250-gallon LP tank, he can get 15-20 acres cultivated at a time.

“You don’t want to miss the first chance to cultivate,” he said. “The weeds can get higher than the corn and then you can lose up to 25 bushels per acre trying to cultivate the weeds.”

In addition, Minnis also uses a rotator hoe instead of spraying.

“Most farmers don’t even use these any more.

They have been scrapped for the metal.”

As with most commodities, organic corn prices have taken a hit.

“Prices today are not as good as they were

when I first started,” said Minnis. “You combine the cost of LP with the current prices, it is getting hard for farmers to stay organic.”

Currently, organic corn

is selling for about $1 more a bushel than conventional corn.

When Minnis first started raising organic corn, prices were $5.50 a bushel for organic with conventional corn at $2.50 per bushel.

“I have seen it as high as $10.50 per bushel,” said Minnis.

Once a farmer switches from organic to nonorganic, he has to again wait the three years to be re-certified.

Minnis rotates two years of hay crops in a field before he will plant corn.

“There is great benefit from following alfalfa,” said Minnis. “It produces more nitrogen that soybeans plants.

“It can produce up to 100-pounds of nitrogen that you don’t have to buy for the corn crop.”

Minnis generally averages about 100 bushels of corn per acre.

“This past year’s crop averaged about 125 bushels per acre,” he said.

“Sometimes I can get more bushels per acre from organic corn crops over conventional corn crops.”

Minnis added most of the time it is less per acre, but the selling price more than makes up the difference.

“There have been several farmers who have stopped farming organic,” said Minnis.

“I am going to wait and see what happens.”

8C

MITCHELL COUNTY PRESS-NEWS, Osage, IA, Wed., Jan. 26, 2011

MITCHELL COUNTY PRESS-NEWS, Osage, IA, Wed., Jan. 26, 2011

From the field to the table in Mitchell County

Organic corn farming in Mitchell County cont. from page 7C

by Jim Cross Press-News Reporter How many people are aware there are sweet corn fields right here in Mitchell County?

About 12 years ago, Mike Heimer started growing peas for Seneca Foods of Rochester.

“I had been growing the peas for about five years when the company stated they wanted to expand their sweet corn crop,” he said.

“The company was looking to expand its acres in southern Minnesota and northern Iowa, so they gave us a

call to see if we would like to grow sweet corn.”

Each year, Heimer has 80-90 acres of land contracted for growing sweet corn.

“With having a contract, there a few things you have to get used to,” said Heimer. “You don’t get to decide when you are going to plant.

“The cannery personnel decide when it is time to plant.”

He said the main reason was for the timing of the harvest.

“They have several sweet corn farms and they don’t want all the crops to be ready at the

Unverferth Seed Tenders

Schaben Sprayer

SPECIFICATIONS

SPECIFICATIONS • 275 & 375 Seed Units • Conveyor Unloads & Loads Tender • 6” & 8” Conveyors Available • Scale & Wireless Remote Options • Honda 11 HP Motor & Tarp Std. • Model 400-4 Box Tenders Also Avail.

same time,” he said.

There are approximately 1,000 acres of sweet corn located in Mitchell County.

“The company is only able to harvest about 80-90 acres per day,” said Heimer. “The closer it gets to harvest, someone from the cannery will come about once a week to check on the crop, then switch to every couple of days.

“They then decide the order of fields for harvesting.”

Heimer stated it was a good and bad situation when it came to the planting.

SCHABEN 6500/8500/8650 SPRAYERS • 1000-1650 gallon tanks • Booms: 60 ft. - 120 ft.

• Rayen Monitors • 7-Function Hydraulic Boom Control • Chemical inductors & Guidance Systems available • Various other configurations & Options Available

Join us for our CUSTOMER APPRECIATION DAY WEEK! Come & Meet New Owners Steve & Corky Follmuth Cookies & Refreshments ALL WEEK!!

Specials on Parts & Whole Goods All WEEK!!

Feb. 21st thru Feb. 25th

Gordy’s Repair & Implement, Ltd. MS-18981

641-710-2289

Stacyville, Iowa

www.gordysrepair.com

“It is good because we don’t get to plant until June,” he said. “By then, we are done with all of our other planting and it is a chance to get back into the planter again.

“The bad part is people wonder why I haven’t planted anything yet!”

Also, the company determines the time to plant based on ground temperatures.

“Unlike conventional farming, planting is also staggered among all the fields to ensure all will not be ready for harvest at the same time,” said Heimer.

Sweet corn is a 90day crop from planting to harvest.

“With last year’s excellent growing season, the crop was ready for harvest in 80 days,” said Heimer.

When it comes to herbicides and pesticides, there are certain restrictions when spraying these crops grown for human consumption.

“We are provided with a list of approved chemicals,” said Heimer.

Since the crop is planted later than conventional ones, weed control can be much easier to handle.

“Sometimes we may cultivate but we can generally take out the weeds with normal tillage or burn-down

he said. “With conventional corn growing, most farmers don’t cultivate. They use chemicals to take off the weeds.”

When the corn reaches approximately one-foot in height, Minnis cultivates with a “flame” cultivator.

This type of cultivator is a standard cultivator modified with burners and an LP tank.

“The cultivator shoots flames under the leaves on the cornstalks,” said Minnis. “It kills the foxtail plants but not the corn, which is much higher on the stalk.”

An individual from Albert Lea designed the flame-throwing burners.

Mike Heimer herbicides,” he said.

Planting sweet corn last can sometimes lead to being the first to harvest in the fall.

“The company comes in with its own equipment to complete the harvesting,” he said. “It takes a special head on the combine because the entire ear is taken off the stalk.”

The prices for his

9C

contracts are determined in February for the coming harvest.

“The prices are competitive, as with any market,” said Heimer.

Come this June in eastern Mitchell County, you’ll see Heimer out planting another crop of sweet corn for our dining room tables.

MS-18942

After Minnis completes the burn-off, he waits three-to-four days and then cultivates the dead foxtail.

“I generally cultivate three to four times a year,” he said.

Minnis plants approximately 50 acres of corn.

With the 250-gallon LP tank, he can get 15-20 acres cultivated at a time.

“You don’t want to miss the first chance to cultivate,” he said. “The weeds can get higher than the corn and then you can lose up to 25 bushels per acre trying to cultivate the weeds.”

In addition, Minnis also uses a rotator hoe instead of spraying.

“Most farmers don’t even use these any more.

They have been scrapped for the metal.”

As with most commodities, organic corn prices have taken a hit.

“Prices today are not as good as they were

when I first started,” said Minnis. “You combine the cost of LP with the current prices, it is getting hard for farmers to stay organic.”

Currently, organic corn

is selling for about $1 more a bushel than conventional corn.

When Minnis first started raising organic corn, prices were $5.50 a bushel for organic with conventional corn at $2.50 per bushel.

“I have seen it as high as $10.50 per bushel,” said Minnis.

Once a farmer switches from organic to nonorganic, he has to again wait the three years to be re-certified.

Minnis rotates two years of hay crops in a field before he will plant corn.

“There is great benefit from following alfalfa,” said Minnis. “It produces more nitrogen that soybeans plants.

“It can produce up to 100-pounds of nitrogen that you don’t have to buy for the corn crop.”

Minnis generally averages about 100 bushels of corn per acre.

“This past year’s crop averaged about 125 bushels per acre,” he said.

“Sometimes I can get more bushels per acre from organic corn crops over conventional corn crops.”

Minnis added most of the time it is less per acre, but the selling price more than makes up the difference.

“There have been several farmers who have stopped farming organic,” said Minnis.

“I am going to wait and see what happens.”

10C

MITCHELL COUNTY PRESS-NEWS, Osage, IA, Wed., Jan. 26, 2011

MITCHELL COUNTY PRESS-NEWS, Osage, IA, Wed., Jan. 26, 2011

National survey shows support of farmers and ethanol A nationwide survey conducted for the National Corn Growers Association has found broad public respect and trust for family farmers and support for corn as food, feed and fuel.

Ninety- five percent of those polled find farmers to be trusted messengers on issues such as agriculture, corn products and ethanol - and ethanol itself was supported or strongly supported as a good fuel alternative by 65 percent.

When it comes to uses for corn, support was broad.

Ninety-five percent support its use as food for people and 93 percent as livestock feed, while 67 percent support the use of corn as a sweetener and 65 percent, as noted, support corn ethanol. Other uses of corn, such as for fiber and packaging, were supported by 73 percent of those polled.

Respondents also spoke out about what they saw as the top benefits of corn-based ethanol.

Thirty-four percent mentioned reduced dependence on foreign oil, 19 percent mentioned the creation of new jobs and 16 percent liked it for its environmental benefits.

“Nationally, this survey is great news that corn resonates positively with consumers,” Textor of the NCGA says. “We want that momentum to continue right here in Iowa through our promotions and education that will continue to drive that message.”

The survey of 1,000 U.S. voters nationwide was conducted in mid-September 201o by David Binder Research and has a margin of error of 3.1 percent.

For more information on the survey, please visit NCGA Web site www.ncga.com.

Mitchell County producer: Organic corn a viable option

by Jim Cross Press-News Reporter In 1999, Mitchell County farmer Leland Minnis made the change to start growing organic corn.

“At the time, the price of organic corn was twice that of conventional corn,” said Minnis. “It was a nice incentive to switch.”

Before a farmer can become “certified” in organic crops, he must go three years without using chemicals on his fields.

Currently, Minnis has 200 acres certified as organic, although not all is planted corn.

“Once a crop is planted, I cultivate the ground three times,” continued on page 9C

• Yield Protection • Revenue Protection • Crop Hail Insurance LOCAL 641-732-4682 TOLL FREE 800-373-6081

Agribusiness

No one puts their money where our mouths are like American farmer.

We see the results of your hard work and committment three times a day. We depend on it. You can depend on the folks at Shelter to take the same pride in our performance as you do in yours. Call us today to find out how we can help. Seek Shelter Today!

MS-18507

Minnis modified this cultivator to included a 250-gallon LP tank used to kill foxtail weeds.

Solutions

Visit with our ag lending professionals about solutions for your individual financial needs!

Brad Smith Osage, IA 641-732-5108

North Country Equipment, LLC Northwood 641-324-1154 MS-18631

Jason Zander VP, Loan Officer

Osage 641-732-3719 MS-18515

John Molitor Community Bank President

www.firstcitizensnb.com 501 Main Street • Osage, IA 50461 641-732-3701

MS-18908

1531 Main St., Osage, Iowa

7C

MITCHELL COUNTY PRESS-NEWS, Osage, IA, Wed., Jan. 26, 2011

6C

MITCHELL COUNTY PRESS-NEWS, Osage, IA, Wed., Jan. 26, 2011

Corn Production in Iowa and the U.S. * Iowa has led the nation in growing corn for 15 straight years now. * In 2009, Iowa farmers produced an estimated 2.2 billion bushels. * USDA estimates indicate the state’s corn crop in 2007 was worth $10.4 billion. * More than 52,800 farms in Iowa grow corn. * The Iowa corn crop in 2008 averaged 168 bushels per acre (an acre is about the size of a football field). * Around 40% of Iowa’s corn goes to livestock feed within the state, 24% to produce ethanol, 12% to food uses, and 24% leaves the state, most of it for livestock feed. * More than half (57%) of the total U.S. corn crop last year was fed to cows, pigs, chickens, turkey and other food animals. * The U.S. exports corn to approximately 60 nations. * The Wall Street Journal estimates that U.S. gas prices would be 15% higher if not for biofuels. * A kernel of corn is comprised of four major components: starch, fiber, protein, and oil. * A typical grocery store will contain 4,000 products listing corn as an ingredient. * The oldest method of corn processing is grinding corn into masa flour, used to make, among other things, tortillas, snack foods, taco shells, and tostados. * The earliest known ears of corn were only a few inches long.

Centuries of breeding by Native Americans, early settlers and modern scientists have made corn one of the world’s three leading grains crops.

MS-18695 MS-18695

11C

TWO VERY DIFFERENT CORN BREAD RECIPES

St. Ansgar’s Absolute Energy has good year continued from page 5C

With 45 employees, Absolute Energy also has a huge impact here in the local Iowa and Minnesota area - not to mention the local farmers who produce most the corn it uses.

In terms of the politics of ethanol and the latest renewable fuel blenders tax credits, Schwarck said they are important to the local industry.

“The tax credits are important to the consumer, as most of the tax credit is passed through to them and lowers their price at the pump by about 4.5 cents per gallon,” explained Schwark. “Since E10 costs less, more is consumed increasing market share and creating a larger market for

Johnson Chemicals Co. Before You go to the field see Bill & Mike Clark for all your planting needs

* Startup and construction cost is estimated at $150 million. * Absolute Energy has 470 investors, most are from Iowa and Minnesota.

rail lines, Canadian Northern and Iowa Central & Eastern. * On site storage includes enough for 24 million bushels of corn and 3 million gallons of ethanol.

* Building construction began Sept. 5, 2007 and was completed in Feb. 2008 * The 208-acre site is served by spurs from two

The 115 million gallon a year operation is on Stateline Road nine miles north of St. Ansgar in Mitchell County.

area corn growers.”

As has been the case since the local ethanol plant was just an idea, Schwarck is also looking at the bigger picture, especially the continuing conflicts

in the Middle East. “We are dreaming if we believe we can continue to count on that as a steady supply of fossil fuel.

Ethanol is a key to the solution.”

Old-Fashioned Basic Corn Bread This is a rather old- fashioned approach that produces a coarse, crumbly cornbread with a lot of corn flavor. In the past, it was often served topped with white or navy beans and a sprinkling of crisp bacon or fried out bits of ham. New research shows that corn-based foods using corn meal are a good dietary source of antioxidants.

3 tablespoons bacon fat 2 cups yellow corn meal 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/4 cup milk 1 egg 1 cup buttermilk Heat oven to 425 degrees. Put bacon fat in a cast-iron skillet, coating the sides and bottom.

Put in hot oven until fat sizzles. Meanwhile, mix together (do not sift) the corn meal, baking powder, salt and baking soda.

Stir the milk,egg and buttermilk together (do not beat it).Pour the milk mixture into the corn meal mixture and stir just until the corn meal is moistened. It will be lumpy. Remove skillet from oven and pour the bacon fat into the batter, stirring it in quickly. Immediately pour the batter back into the skillet, return to the oven, and bake 25 to 35 minutes.

Custard Corn Bread An Amish recipe from Indiana, this starts with some similar methods but produces a very different corn bread with a thin custard layer on top.Serve it with lots of butter.Corn is not only a good source of antioxidants - the process of milling corn into corn meal makes the antioxidants easier to digest.Some scientists argue that milled yellow corn products should be classed with other antioxidant foods like carrots, tomatoes and spinach.

2 tablespoons butter 1 1/3 cups corn meal 1/3 cup all-purpose flour 1/4 cup plus 1 teaspoon sugar 1 1/2 teaspoons salt 2 eggs 2 cups milk 1 cup buttermilk paprika Heat the oven to 400.Place butter in a 9- inch skillet and heat it as the oven warns but do not let it brown. Sift the corn meal, flour, sugar, and salt together in a large bowl. Add the eggs and break them up with a fork.

Stir in 1 cup of the milk and all the buttermilk and mix together with a spoon.

Pour the batter into the skillet on top of the melted butter. Do not mix it in. Pour the last cup of milk over the top of the batter. Do not stir it in. Sprinkle paprika on top (to taste). Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until golden. Cut into wedges and serve warm with plenty of butter.

Dealership for Mustang Landoll & Parker

For Sale or Rent

* Fall Strip-Till * Chemicals * Seeds * Plowdown P. & K. * Starter Fertilizer * 32% Nitrogen * Custom No-Till & Conventional Planting

• Landoll Tillage Equipment • IH 856D Tractor • 2pt. Hitch will fit IH 400-560 • Gas Engine - fits IH 300 • IHP 490 Disk • 2076 Skidloader

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MITCHELL COUNTY PRESS-NEWS, Osage, IA, Wed. Jan. 26, 2011

MITCHELL COUNTY PRESS-NEWS, Osage, IA, Wed., Jan. 26, 2011

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It begins with a kernel...

Masa Perhaps the oldest method of corn processing is the masa process developed in the Americas long before the time of Columbus. It involves boiling corn kernels in a lime solution, then soaking, washing, drying and grinding the corn into masa flour.

Masa flour is used to make tortillas, snack foods, taco shells, tostados and traditional foods.

Dry Milling for Grits, Corn meal, Corn Flour The most common dry milling process begins by cleaning the corn and tempering it to 20 percent moisture, then removing the oil-containing germ and most of the fiber. The remainder, mostly starch and protein, is dried, sifted and ground into many different sizes of grits, corn meal, and corn flour. The germ and fiber are processed to make crude corn oil, hominy feed, bran products, corn meal, and more grits, meals and flours. In addition to food uses, dry milled corn products have industrial applications in insulation, fiber board, plywood, particle board, as binders in various products, and in livestock feed and pet foods.

Grits are used in: Corn meal goes into: Corn cones/flour is

used in: Brewing beer Corn flakes Other breakfast cereals Snack foods Bakery mixes Cereals Corn bread Corn meal mixes Corn muffins Fritters Hush puppies Pancake mixes Snacks Spoon bread Baby foods Bakery mixes Breadings, coatings and batters Cereals Dusting for pizzas English muffins Fermentation processes Meat products Pancakes, muffins, doughnuts Wet Milling for Starch, Corn Sweeteners, Fermentation Products Wet milling (refining) involves soaking the corn, then grinding it and separating its components. Throughout the process, the corn flows in a stream of water (which gives the process its name). Most of the fiber and protein go into animal feed; the oil is a premium heart-healthy oil for humans. The starch, highly purified to remove other components, can be treated in different ways to modify its performance or to break it into simple sugars.

The resulting corn sweeteners can be fermented to transform them into yet more valuable products.

Wet milling one bushel of corn produces...

- 1.6 pounds of crude corn oil, plus - 13.5 pounds of corn gluten feed, plus - 2.6 pounds of corn gluten meal, plus - 31.5 pounds of starch.

The starch can be further modified to produce 33 pounds of corn sweeteners or 2.7 gallons of ethanol Ethanol, Livestock Feed, and CO2 Corn-based ethanol can be made through either a dry or a wet milling process. In either case, about a third of the grain ends up as livestock feed: distillers grains if it comes from the dry process or corn gluten feed and corn gluten meal if it comes from the wet process.

Ethanol plants also capture carbon dioxide from the process and sell it for use as dry ice or in carbonated beverages.

Industrial Starch Uses: Industrial Sweetener Uses: Industrial Fermentation Products: Paper, recycled paper Cardboard Textiles Glues and adhesives Batteries Bookbinding Cleaners, detergents Coatings on paper, wood and metal Color carrier for printing Crayons and Chalk Dyes Fireworks Industrial filters and water recovery

Lubricants Ore and oil refining Paints Plastics Rubber tires Surgical dressings Wallboard and wallpaper Acetic acid Charcoal briquettes Dyes and inks Enzymes Insecticides Laminated building materials Matches Metal plating Organic solvents Paper Plasticizing agents Rayon Shampoo Shoe polish Textiles Theatrical makeup Acetic and amino acids Blankets and bedding Carpet tile Cosmetics Electroplating and galvanizing Food packaging Disposable cold drink cups, plates and cutlery Industrial chemicals Leather tanning Mannitol Organic solvents Paper Plastics Plasticizers Soaps and cleaners Sports and active wear Textiles Food and Drug Starch Uses: Food and Drug Sweetener Uses: Food and Drug Fermentation Products: Aspirin Baby food Baked goods Baking powder Cake, cookie, dessert mixes Candies Cereals Coffee whitener Dried soups Drugs

Gravy mixes Instant breakfast foods Instant pudding mix Instant teae Salad dressings Spray cooking oil Powdered mixes Powdered sugar Precooked frozen foods Salt Seasoning mixes Yeast Alcoholic beverages and brewing Baby foods Bacon Baked goods Caramel color Carbonated and fruit beverages Canned fruits, fruit fillings Cereals Cheese spreads Chewing gum Condiments Confections, chocolate Drugs Food coloring Frosting and icing Frozen and dried eggs Hams Hot dogs, bologna Ice cream, sherbets, and frozen puddings Jams, jellies, preserves Marshmallows Peanut butter Pet food Pickles and relishes Sausage Snack foods (pretzels, potato chips, corn chips) Soups Spices Tomato sauces Vegetables Vinegar Worcestershire sauce Yeast Antibiotics Bakery products Citric acid Drugs Enzymes Food acids Pharmaceuticals Wine

Absolute Energy has been in operation since February 2008

St. Ansgar’s Absolute Energy has successful year

by David Namanny Press-News Editor It was nearly three years ago that Absolute Energy LLC, Mitchell County’s locally-owned ethanol plant north of St., Ansgar, produced it’s first gallon of ethanol.

Since then, it has been pumping out around 115 million gallons of ethanol annually, as well as producing millions of pounds of valuable byproducts which are also marketed across the country.

According to Absolute Energy Chairman, President and CEO Rick Schwarck, the plant has had a good year in 2010.

“We are profitable and just declared an approximate $7 million dividend

to 470 members, most of whom are local,” he said.

“We have had a very successful year not only financially but also in safety, cleanliness, environmental compliance and every other single category we benchmark.

We are very optimistic about our future.”

Absolute Energy is a distillers grains and ethanol facility that has been in operation since February 2008. The 115 million gallons of ethanol the plant produced is shipped by rail to locations in Albany, NJ, Sewaren, NJ and Chicago, IL. The facility also processes approximately 41 million bushels of locally grown corn into about 697 million

pounds of distillers grains annually.

These distillers grains contain close to 195 million pounds of protein and 80 million pounds of corn oil which contributes greatly to the world’s food supply.

Absolute Energy LLC exports most of their distillers grains to help feed countries like China, Korea and Mexico.

During the fermentation process Absolute Energy LLC removes the lower value starch from the mash to produce 115 million gallons per year of ethanol fuel while simultaneously concentrating the high value protein and oil into their distillers grain. continued on page 6C

We’re Proud to be your neighbor Pioneer understands and cares about your needs because our people live in the communities we serve.

Dean Sponheim Osage 641-732-5014

Steve Christensen Riceville 641-985-4169

Joe Malecek Osage 641-732-1456

Jan Klapperich McIntire 641-737-2127

Shawn Sponheim Osage 641-330-7797 MS-19194

A corn kernel is made up of four major components: starch, fiber, protein and oil.

Corn can be processed in different ways to tap into these components and use them in all kinds of products. A typical grocery store will contain 4,000 products that list corn ingredients on the label but many other products also depend on corn, from paper goods and cardboard packaging to all the meat, milk, eggs, poultry, and other protein products that come from cornfed animals.

® TM SM , , Trademarks and service marks of Pioneer Hi-Bred. © 2010 PHII

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MITCHELL COUNTY PRESS-NEWS, Osage, IA, Wed., Jan. 26, 2011

MITCHELL COUNTY PRESS-NEWS, Osage, IA, Wed., Jan. 26, 2011

Stock Up On Low Prices

This history of corn:

The history of Corn Christopher Columbus and the explorers that followed him took corn back to Europe and introduced it to the world. Native American Indians taught European colonists to grow many varieties of the corn including yellow, red, blue, pink, and black kernels, often banded, spotted, or striped.

In the 1600s, early English settlers found the Indians of present-day northeastern United States growing a hard flint variety of corn that matured early.

Other English colonists

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who settled farther south found the Indians growing a soft-kernelled latematuring dent corn. As time went on, the new settlers to America began to depend on corn as one of the most important farm crops.

American farmers have always wanted to grow strong healthy corn plants that yield as much as possible. In the later 1800s scientists worked on the development of hybrid corn. This research led to better varieties of corn and higher yields.

An Iowan named Henry A. Wallace developed an early variety of hybrid corn based upon his own scientific research. In 1926, he organized a seed company that is still known today as the Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc.

The number of farmers that used hybrid corn continued to increase through out the 20th century. As more farmers used hybrid corn, more corn was produced. In 1933 the average yield was 33 bushels per acres. In 1997 the yield had increased to 127 bushels per acre.

Shelled corn goes from combine to wagon Corn is good for feeding hogs, cattle and other livestock, and many other products are made from corn too. In 1900, the main corn product was starch.

Today, thousands of uses for corn products have been discovered, and more uses are being found each day. Every part of the kernel and even the water in which it is processed are used.

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Officials from Absolute Energy, L.L.C. of St. Ansgar applauded a decision announced late last week by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to raise the amount of ethanol from E10 to E15 for all vehicles built in the last decade. Absolute Energy, L.L.C. officials say the move will create U.S. jobs, reduce carbon emissions and strengthen our national security.

The decision today to permit E15 for 2001-to-2006 model year vehicles follows an October decision by EPA to permit blends up to E15 in vehicles 2007 model year and newer. The EPA was responding to a regulatory petition, the Green Jobs Waiver, filed in March 2009 by Growth Energy, America’s leading coalition of ethanol supporters. Absolute

KINZE® BRUSH-TYPE SEED METERING for soybeans, milo/grain sorghum and cotton. Extremely low maintenance system. Unparalleled population control.. without all the in-field adjustments to compensate for different seed size variations.

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lent of taking 1.35 million vehicles off the road. Increasing the domestic, renewable fuel supply would also displace some of the 7 billion gallons of oil that is imported every day into the United States from countries such as Venezuela, Saudi Arabia and Nigeria, at a cost of more than $300 billion annual-

We have protected area farmers for decades with quality insurance coverages and friendly, local service. Call someone you can depend on for your insurance, your local FarMutual ® Agent.

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Energy, L.L.C. is a Growth Energy member.

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When Columbus “discovered” America, there was no corn on board the Nina, Pinta or Santa Maria. Before 1492, no one living in Europe ate corn cakes, corn bread or corn pudding. They didn’t know corn existed.

Up to this time, corn grew only in the Americas.

Scientists believe corn was originally cultivated by Indians in the highlands of Mexico thousands of years ago.

The Indians discovered that corn was good to eat and very nutritious.

Mural by Lowell Houser, The Development of Corn, Post Office, Ames, Iowa As Indian groups migrated north they brought corn with them.

American Indians were growing corn in many parts of North America long before the first arrival of European explorers and traders.

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ly to our economy.

“Today’s decision positions America to capitalize on the potential of ethanol to change our country’s energy future for the better,” said Rick Schwarck.

“When we make and use more ethanol in the United States, we create U.S. jobs, and improve the environment by

displacing conventional gasoline with a low-carbon fuel.

And it’s about time we start making jobs in our country instead of sending all our money overseas.”

The previous E10 standard which permits up to 10 percent ethanol blended into fuel - was set in the 1970s to help spur the growth of a domestic, renewable fuels industry in answer to America’s first major oil crisis, engineered by OPEC. Since then, the United States has remained addicted to foreign oil; two-thirds of the oil used in this country comes from overseas.

In March 2009, Growth Energy filed a petition with EPA to permit the raising of that regulatory cap on the ethanol blend from 10 percent to 15 percent to displace more foreign oil.

MITCHELL COUNTY PRESS-NEWS, Osage, IA, Wed., Jan. 26, 2011

MITCHELL COUNTY PRESS-NEWS, Osage, IA, Wed., Jan. 26, 2011

Iowa farmers support ethanol partnership with NASCAR The Iowa Corn Promotion Board and the Iowa Corn Growers Association in conjunction with the National Corn Growers Association are among the organizations backing American Ethanol, a partnership including Growth Energy and NASCAR. This new partnership, announced by NASCAR CEO Brian France, comes just weeks after NASCAR publicly stated that it would be taking its environmental commitment to the next level by fueling its races with Sunoco Green E15 - a fuel that includes 15 percent renewable American ethanol, which is produced from corn that is grown and harvested by American farmers, and then processed and produced at ethanol plants across the United States.

Led by Growth Energy, nearly 100 different entities - from individual ethanol plants to NCGA to biotech companies to the Iowa Corn Promotion Board and the Iowa Corn Growers Association- are rallying around NASCAR to communicate their corn-ethanol message, through the American Ethanol brand.

“This partnership is an opportunity to communicate to a whole new audience, about American corn-based ethanol,” said Dick Gallagher, Iowa Corn Promotion Board Chairman.

Gallagher

went on to say, “NASCAR is literally driving the positive ethanol story into thousands of households across the U.S. and we hope consumers will continue to drive with it to work and the grocery store, just like the pros do.”

“Today, America’s sport and America’s fuel have kicked-off one of the most exciting partnerships in the history of NASCAR,” said NASCAR Legend Rusty Wallace. “This is a great moment for our sport and a great moment for the hardworking men and women across the country who help make and produce this great fuel.”

“There is nothing more American than NASCAR, and there is no fuel more American than ethanol.

This is a perfect partnership,” said Tom Buis, CEO of Growth Energy. “We are so proud that the bounty which America’s farmers produce throughout the week will be used in NASCAR racing on Sunday.”

As an Official NASCAR Partner, American Ethanol will become a truly integrated industry player with activation to include exciting firsts for the sport: Starting with Daytona in 2011, NASCAR’s Green Flag will be branded to feature both American Ethanol and NASCAR Green; symbolizing

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NASCAR’s continued efforts toward environmental responsibility.

The driver with the fastest average speed on restarts per race will be presented with the American Ethanol Green Flag Restart Award American Ethanol branding on the Fuel Port of every car in each NASCAR national series Presenting sponsorship of the NASCAR Green Summit “NASCAR and American Ethanol are ideal partners,” said NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France.

“NASCAR is a great American sport in its third generation of family ownership, and ethanol is produced from the harvest of family-owned farms across our country’s heartland.

American Ethanol’s new partnership with NASCAR is much larger and more ambitious than a typical sports sponsorship. Here we have an entire industry looking to NASCAR to communicate its message that America is capable of producing its own renewable, greener fuel. The entire NASCAR industry will benefit from American Ethanol’s multi-faceted support of NASCAR, as well as from thousands of farmers and members of the ethanol supply chain now serving as new ambassadors for the sport.”

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The Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA) will be working with Iowa lawmakers during the 2011 Legislative Session to maintain funding for programs important to Iowa corn growers and to monitor any policy that could negatively affect farmers.

“This year we know that state budgets are going to be an issue,” said Mindy Larsen Poldberg, ICGA Director of Government Relations.

“Our goal will be to maintain funding for issues important to our corn growers and to protect our existing agricultural tax credits as well as maintain funding and support for programs such as the Renewable Fuels Standard.”

In late August, grassroots representatives from the Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA) reinstated expiring policies and adopted new issues at the ICGA’s annual policy confer-

ence in Des Moines. The grassroots delegation held key policy discussions on emerging state and federal issues such as carbon, climate change, and indirect land use.

The following issues will be key ICGA priorities in 2011:

taxes or credits. The ICGA expects budget discussions will be a major part of the 2011 legislative session and will be working on behalf of farms in Iowa on agricultural taxes.

* Support for Iowa’s Livestock Farmers - The ICGA is committed to a healthy Iowa livestock industry and works with other farm groups to make sure that legislation affecting livestock production is responsible, reasonable and science based.

Livestock is corn’s largest customer, and a healthy livestock industry is essential to the Iowa economy.

* Ethanol Infrastructure - Iowa’s Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Fund assists retailers in upgrading to E85, blender pumps or for biodiesel infrastructure. The ICGA is committed to maintain or expand the Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Fund. This program provides an opportunity for retailers to upgrade their infrastructure through cost-sharing grants of up to 70%. * Ethanol Tax Credits and Iowa Renewable Fuels Standard - 2010 was the second year in the implementation schedule for Iowa’s 25% Renewable Fuels Standard. The ICGA

* Budget and Agriculture Taxes With State government considering budget cuts, the ICGA will be working to maintain agricultural related

is committed to maintaining the long-term integrity of the program with a goal of 25% renewable fuels over the long term. If allowed to work, the 25% Iowa RFS will take Iowa to an average 25% renewable fuels use by 2019. * Commercial Nitrogen Application - Iowa farmers have made measurable progress in conservation and water quality. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) data, farmers’ use of nitrogen and phosphorus per bushel has been drastically reduced over the past 25 years. The ICGA is committed to allowing commercial nitrogen application based on sound science and agronomic practices and not through state regulations.

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MITCHELL COUNTY PRESS-NEWS, Osage, IA, Wed., Jan. 26, 2011

MITCHELL COUNTY PRESS-NEWS, Osage, IA, Wed., Jan. 26, 2011

U.S. corn growers harvest third largest corn crop Despite less than ideal planting and growing conditions in 2010, U.S. Corn growers harvested the third largest corn crop on record, according to the Crop Production 2010 Summary released today by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) 2010 U.S. corn production totaled 12.4 billion bushels, down 5 percent from the record corn crop in 2009.

Corn yield in 2010 is estimated at 152.8 billion bushels, down 11.9 bushels from last year.

“Corn growers are resilient and have an amazing ability to overcome weather challenges to produce the third largest corn crop on record,” said Kevin Rempp a corn farmer from Montezuma and Treasurer of the Iowa Corn Promotion Board. “Even though this corn crop is below last year’s, corn farmers across the U.S. continue to produce more with less. In the past 10 years production has risen 20 percent while using 37 percent less land, according to facts from the USDA.”

The 2010 growing season in Iowa was marked by more than enough moisture and a wide range of temperatures. In spite of these challenges, Iowa corn farmers were able to produce 2.153 billion bushels with an average yield of 165 bushels per acre.

“Every year Iowa has the potential to produce more corn than any other area in the world,” said Rempp. “However, because corn production is dependent on weather, the reduction in numbers for Iowa is not entirely unexpected.”

Corn farmers are already finalizing plans for the 2011 planting season with the potential for more corn acres to be planted. With new seed technology they will continue to meet the needs for food, feed, fuel and fiber across the world. According to trend line predictions, by 2020, U.S. corn farmers are expected to harvest at least 17 billion bushels, this will go a long way in meeting the needs of a growing world population.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Corn in Iowa People from all walks of life contact the Iowa Corn Promotion Board and the Iowa Corn Growers Association office with questions about corn and its uses.

Here are some of the most common questions: How much corn does Iowa produce?

In 2009, Iowa corn farmers grew almost 2.3 billion bushels of corn on 12.4 million acres of land. In 2007 they harvested more than 2.5 billion bushels on a record breaking 13.9 million acres.

Why is corn Iowa’s leading crop?

Corn has been the dominant crop in Iowa for more than 150 years! A number of factors contribute to make corn Iowa’s number one crop: * Iowa has a growing season that is long enough and warm enough to suit corn production. * Iowa usually receives enough rain to support healthy corn production. * Iowa has deep, rich soils that suit corn’s needs. * Iowa also produces lots of livestock whose waste includes nutrients that are key to fertilizing fields for better corn production. * A wide variety of corn hybrids are available that do especially well in Iowa’s environment.

How big is an acre?

Officially, one acre is 4,840 square yards or 43,560 square feet. To imagine how big that is, think of a standard football field, which is almost the same size.

When is corn harvested?

In Iowa, some farmers might begin

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harvesting corn by mid-September, but most of the harvest is likely to take place in October. In a cool year, when the corn matures more slowly, much of Iowa’s crop isn’t harvested until November.

Harvest times can vary a good deal because different corn hybrids take different lengths of time to mature. Even

When corn is harvested, what hap pens to the cob and the husks?

Modern combines strip the husks off each ear and remove the kernels from the ears as part of the harvesting process.

The combine spreads the husks and cobs back onto the field as it moves but keeps the grain in a holding tank until it can be

Native Americans, then by early settlers and modern scientists, have resulted in bigger, fuller ears of corn and made corn one of the world’s three leading grain crops.

How many ears grow on a corn plant?

Different corn plants have different numbers of ears, but much of the field corn grown in Iowa is bred to develop just one large ear rather than several incomplete ears. This approach usually yields better total production.

How many kernels are there on an ear of corn?

The number of kernels per ear can vary from 500 to about 1,200, but a typical ear would have 800 kernels, according to corn experts.

What state produces the most corn?

Iowa has produced the largest corn crop of any state for each of the past 14 years. In an average year, Iowa produces more corn than most whole countries.

For example, Iowa grows three times as much corn as a country like Argentina.

How much corn is grown on one acre?

In 2007, Iowa corn growers harvested an average of 182 bushels per acre.

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How tall is a typical corn plant?

A typical corn plant can be anywhere from 5 feet to 12 feet tall. Under good growing conditions in Iowa, plants are commonly about 8 feet tall by midsummer. A healthy corn plant’s root system will reach about 6-1/2 feet into the ground!

when plants are physically mature, farmers might wait to harvest them until corn kernels have dried further so that the corn can be stored for longer periods of time.

unloaded into a truck. In the field, the cobs and husks are still valuable because they help maintain good soil fertility and structure, just as compost and mulch do in home gardens.

How big is a bushel?

A bushel began as a measure of volume, but the accepted standard for a bushel of corn is now measured in weight: 56 pounds. That’s for shelled corn (after the husks and cobs are removed). It is about the size of a large bag of dog food.

About the Corn Plant Where does corn come from?

Corn is descended from a plant called teosinte, which still grows in Mexico, and the first corn plants seem to have appeared in Mexico. The earliest known ears of corn were tiny - only a few inches long. Centuries of breeding, first by

Why are there silks on corn?

The silks on corn are essential for pollen from the tassels to fertilize the plant. Each silk will convey pollen to one site on a developing ear of corn, making it possible for that site to develop into a kernel of corn. If it’s too hot in the summer, the silks can dry out before all the sites on a corn cob are fertilized. As a result, there will be gaps on that ear of corn where no kernels developed because they weren’t fertilized.

How much ethanol do you get from a bushel of corn?

Many ethanol plants now produce 2.7 gallons of ethanol and about 18 pounds of animal feed from each bushel of corn.

Corn and ethanol production are now so efficient that it takes less energy to grow the crop and process it than the amount of energy in the ethanol itself. See the Ethanol Section for more info.

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MITCHELL COUNTY PRESS-NEWS, Osage, IA, Wed., Jan. 26, 2011

Iowa Corn

A s alut e t o our loc al produc er s

Ph. 641-732-5044

A special ag supplement SECTION C MS-18697

Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2011 VOL. 146 • NO. 4