Roots IOWA CORN
A LOOK INSIDE: EDUCATION
The Faces of Agricultural Sustainability
MARKET DEVELOPMENT Ethanol Q & A
RESEARCH
Hot Topic of Carbon Credit Markets September 2021
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Board of Directors District 1
District 6
Kelly Niewenhuis, ICPB President, Primghar, IA
Lance Lillibridge, ICGA President, Benton, IA
Dean Meyer, ICGA, Rock Rapids, IA
Logan Lyon, ICGA, Muscatine, IA
Chad Harms, ICPB, Milford, IA
Pete Brecht, ICPB, Central City, IA
District 2
District 7
Stu Swanson, ICGA, Galt, IA
Carl Jardon, ICGA Chair, Randolph, IA
Jerry Maier, ICPB, Eagle Grove, IA
Adam Bierbaum, ICGA, Griswold, IA
District 3
Ralph Lents, ICPB, Menlo, IA
Greg Alber, ICPB Chair, Independence, IA
District 8
Mark Mueller, ICGA, Waverly, IA
Steve Kuiper, ICGA, Knoxville, IA
Darla Recker, ICPB, Arlington, IA
Jerod Flaherty, ICPB, Osceola, IA
District 4
District 9
Larry Buss, VP ICPB, Logan, IA
Dan Keitzer, ICGA, Mediapolis, IA
Jolene Riessen, ICGA, Ida Grove, IA
Stan Nelson, ICPB, Middletown, IA
Ryan Steffensen, ICPB, Guthrie Center, IA
District 5 Dennis Friest, ICGA VP, Radcliffe, IA Will Cannon, ICGA, Prairie City, IA Rod Pierce, ICPB, Boone, IA
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The Faces of Agricultural Sustainability “Inside the Beltway” campaign showcases real farmer sustainability efforts to Washington D.C. influencers.
S
ustainability stories from farmers around the country were recently
presented in Washington D.C. to showcase the industry’s commitment to environmental efforts. The campaign “Inside the Beltway” was launched by the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA), along with state affiliates including Iowa Corn. Campaign sponsors hope it will motivate public policy influencers to meet corn farmers and learn more about their sustainability practices. “Even in 2021, corn farming remains, at its heart, a family operation rooted in the earth,” said Chris Edgington, NCGA vice president and a farmer from St. Ansgar, Iowa. “In many cases, such as mine, this vocation goes back multiple generations. America’s family farmers take great pride in the past, but we are working to build a future with healthy soil, clean air and clean water.” Edgington hopes hearing real stories from corn farmers will open more doors and build trust with legislators that agriculture is a necessary, sustainable investment to improve food security. “We have a great story — but it has to be told,” Edgington said. “Through this campaign, we put real faces on today’s family farmers to showcase the environmental advances being made in the industry and share the excitement around innovation in ag.” In the campaign Bryan and Lauren Biegler tell their story of a torrential rain storm they experienced nearly a decade ago on their Lake Wilson Minnesota, farm.
The Bieglers recounted the emotions they
The campaign will continue to be used
felt watching precious topsoil wash away
to support ongoing work and ag policy
and how the event motivated them to
creation in D.C.
research preventative measures. “Whether you live in D.C. or Mason City, “I use cover crops mainly for erosion
work in Congress or a tractor cab, we
control and some diversity out in the
care about the future of our families and
fields,” Bryan Biegler said. “The soil
want the best for them,” Edgington said.
resiliency is so much better now.”
“Working together, corn farmers can break down the barriers that impede us from
Another farmer and campaign participant
doing this together.”
Adam Bierbaum from Griswold, Iowa, spoke about a variety of practices he uses
Notably, this program brings together
to improve soil health and help keep
expertise, time and effort from state and
surrounding waterways clean.
national staff to lay a foundation that opens doors, helps build supporters and
“Clean water is what we strive for — we
brings real policy goals to fruition. You
drink the water that is on our farm too and
may learn more about the campaign at
we do many different practices for that,”
ncga.com/our-future or by following
Bierbaum said. “Biotechnology really
NCGA on social channels, such as
allows us to implement no-till (farming).
Facebook and Instagram.
By doing no-till we are improving the soil with higher organic matter, keeping water quality high and reducing soil erosion.”
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Ethanol Q&A with Grant Menke, Market Development Director, and Kelly Niewenhuis, farmer and ICPB President from Primghar, Iowa.
O
As a farmer, it’s exciting to have a seat at the table in many discussions on how to expand ethanol use not only in Iowa, but across the county and world.”
ne of the top markets for Iowa’s corn farmers is ethanol. What work is Iowa Corn Promotion Board investing in to maintain and build demand for corn ethanol?
retailer outreach program to assist Iowa
As ethanol remains a top market for
This retailer outreach program has led
Iowa’s corn farmers, growing demand for
to hundreds of cost-share awards to Iowa
ethanol remains a top priority for the Iowa
retailers that have given Iowans more
shipments of ethanol have tripled
Corn Promotion Board (ICPB). ICPB’s
choices at the pump for more affordable,
since 2010, totaling 12 billion gallons
commitment to increasing corn grind
cleaner burning, higher performing
of U.S. ethanol exports (equivalent to
through the ethanol market has been
ethanol blends.
over 4 billion bushels of corn) over
retailers in expanding E15, mid-level blends and E85 availability through participation in cost share programs such as the Iowa Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Program, the Iowa Renewable Fuel Retail Recovery Program and USDA’s Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program.
the past decade.
demonstrated by significant investments in higher blends infrastructure, exports,
On exports, ICPB has dedicated
new uses and consumer education.
significant funding to support the U.S.
ICPB also continues to pursue new
Grains Council (USGC) and its mission
sources of demand for U.S. ethanol. One
On higher blends infrastructure, ICPB
of developing export markets for
promising opportunity ICPB is supporting
has continued to partner with the Iowa
corn, including ethanol. Through this
is ClearFlame Engine Technologies, an
Renewable Fuels Association on a fuel
partnership with USGC, international
innovative company that will adapt diesel
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engines to use 100% corn ethanol. Through
demand from retailers and opportunities
2035, 2040 or 2050. Ethanol is the carbon
ClearFlame’s disruptive technology, diesel
her in Iowa to sell higher blends of ethanol
solution we need now.
engines will be able to achieve net-zero
to consumers. I also sit on the ICPB and
CO2 emissions, a lower cost per mile
we are constantly looking for how to get
“Ethanol is a fuel here today. There is
driven and no compromise on power,
more of the gas tank to be homegrown,
research proving that E15 decreases
torque or efficiency. ICPB is proud to
ethanol fuels.”
green house gas emissions by nearly 50% over gasoline. We need to embrace the
partner with ClearFlame and other new initiatives that will increase corn grind.
fuel available today that is affordable,
marketplace acceptance and support
All we hear about is EVs in the news today. What’s the reality of the adoption of EVs?
higher blends of ethanol while growing
While several automakers have recently
demand. For example, through the
made ambitious and aspirational
“Stronger Together” campaign, ICPB
announcements to dramatically increase
Is there any opportunity for EVs and higher ethanol blends to exist together?
is using multiple traditional and social
electric vehicle sales while reducing
There is certainly a place for electric
media strategies and tactics to encourage
the production of gasoline vehicles, the
vehicles in the future vehicle fleet, but
Iowans to support local farmers by
reality today is that electric vehicles
affordability concerns, range limitations,
choosing Unleaded 88/E15 at the pump.
make up only 0.6% of light duty vehicles
charging infrastructure hurdles and
These consumer-focused efforts will be
on the road. Sales of EVs are certainly
other logistical challenges may minimize
key as the availability of higher ethanol
growing, but in 2020, only 2% of cars
the practicality and appeal of battery
blends continues to accelerate in the
sold in the United States were electric
electric vehicles. One way in which
months and years ahead.
vehicles, and the Energy Information
EVs and biofuels could work together
Administration projects that EVs will
constructively toward the goal of carbon
“As a farmer, it’s exciting to have a seat at
make up only 20% of new car sales in 2050.
reduction would be through plug-in hybrid
the table in many discussions on how to
If we as a nation are serious about carbon
electric vehicles with flex-fuel capabilities.
expand ethanol use not only in Iowa, but
reduction and climate change solutions,
A hybrid vehicle propelled by both a plug-
across the county and world,” said Kelly
we need to increase the amount of
in battery and an E85-powered engine
Niewenhuis, a farmer from Primghar,
ethanol in gasoline, which would provide
would offer significant emissions benefits
Iowa. “I sit on the Renewable Fuels
immediate, significant, and affordable
along with much greater range than a
Infrastructure Board and see all of the
GHG reductions. We can’t wait until
battery-only electric car.
Finally, ICPB remains laser focused on consumer education to increase
clean burning and better for our state,” said Niewenhuis.
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Hot Topic of Carbon Credit Markets F
or many years, Iowa
Advocate newsletter at
Iowa Corn does not endorse
“The carbon marketplace is
Corn has encouraged
iowacorn.org/water.
any company, product or
constantly evolving. Do your
service and cannot provide
homework before you sign or
the adoption of conservation practices through education
Many companies are buying
legal advice. However,
agree to any program,” advised
and research initiatives. Many
carbon credits to offset their
here are some high-level
Lance Lillibridge, a farmer from
of these conservation practices
greenhouse gas emissions
considerations:
Benton County and President
that improve soil health and
and lower the environmental
water quality also mitigate
footprints of their products.
Before entering a contract,
climate change by reducing
They are looking to farmers
get legal advice and read
greenhouse gas emissions and
to provide the credits via
the fine print.
sequestering carbon in the
carbon sequestered in soil
soil. For regular updates on
organic matter and/or lower
carbon markets, environmental
greenhouse gas emissions
for practice implementation,
such as water quality, water
issues and conservation efforts,
from reduced energy use
data collection, soil testing
quantity, wetland mitigation
we encourage all farmers to
and improved nutrient
and other verification
and biodiversity. These
sign up for our Stewardship
use efficiency.
requirements.
services can be “stacked”
of the Iowa Corn Growers Association. Carbon credits are the hot topic, but credits may also be Consider your obligations
paid for ecosystem services
on top of carbon credits for Determine if the value
higher payments.
received is worth the cost and time requirements.
“Listen and learn from other
In addition, the buyer
farmers to better understand
may require enrollment
markets and conservation
in a data platform or
practices with real-world
purchases of additional
experiences,” shares Lillibridge.
products or services.
“And, please share your personal experiences too.”
Understand the length of the contract, which can vary from 1, 20 or 100 years. Be aware of eligibility requirements. Buyers may only purchase credits from new practices or practices implemented very recently. In addition, multiple years of baseline data may be required.
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Iowa Corn Keeps Agribusiness Professionals Informed A
Getting involved provides value
voice is stronger when we
provide them with information
Seidel and Airy also see value
my Iowa Corn membership,
and updates on the issues
in participating in Iowa Corn
I know I’m staying informed
and activities that matter to
events. “Attending the Iowa
on important issues and I am
their clients.
Corn Growers Association
confident they are working
district policy roundtables
on my behalf for a stronger
gives me direct access, so
agriculture economy.”
ssociate members rely on Iowa Corn to
“Iowa Corn keeps its members Carrie Dodds
Director of Grower Services, Iowa Corn
informed about the issues that impact farmers’ bottom lines,” says Carrie Seidel, a farm manager with Hertz Farm Management and Iowa Corn member. “Getting regular updates on issues like tax and ethanol policy helps me provide relatable information to farmers and prepare them for the future.”
Carrie Seidel
Farm Manager, Hertz Farm Management
work together,” he says. “With
“It’s important that farm managers and appraisers
Attending the
“I wear a lot of different hats.
Iowa Corn Growers
to alert me on the issues they
I rely on the Iowa Corn emails
Association
are following and the actions
district policy
“This is a valuable member
they are taking,” says Seidel.
roundtables gives
benefit because I share this
me direct access,
Seidel and Airy encourage
information with my clients.”
so I know what’s on
agribusinesses and farm
farmers’ minds.”
associate members.
understand what’s happening
I know what’s on farmers’
in the corn industry,” says
minds,” says Seidel. “These
John Airy, a farmer, auctioneer
meetings give growers a seat
and real estate agent with
at the table. It also provides me
Agri-Management Services.
with an opportunity to share
“The information Iowa Corn
opinions about the issues that
provides its members on
matter to my clients.”
managers to join Iowa Corn as
a regular basis helps agri-
John Airy
President, Linn County Corn Growers
Join Iowa Corn
business professionals speak
Airy, who is president of the
the language of our farmer
Linn County Corn Growers,
clients. That builds trust
says advocating for corn
and goes a long way toward
growers at every level is
building lasting relationships.”
important. “Collectively, our
Email Carrie Dodds, Director of Growers Services, at cdodds@iowacorn.org for more information about becoming a member and getting involved with Iowa Corn. Join today at iowacorn.org/join.
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At Iowa Corn, we do many things. We develop and defend markets for corn across the globe. We fund research that unearths new uses for corn. And we spearhead education and promotional efforts to communicate the many benefits and uses of corn and corn products. Why do we do what we do? Because we believe in the corn growers of Iowa. What corn farmers do impacts people worldwide, and it’s our mission to support corn farmers’ interests. We’re here to work for the corn farmer. And we’re proud to do it.
TO UNLOCK THE POTENTIAL OF CORN TO SUSTAINABLY MEET THE NEEDS OF A GROWING WORLD PUBLISHED SEPTEMBER 2021
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