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American Ethanol Hits the Track with NASCAR Again this Weekend
This weekend, fans across the country watching Friday's NASCAR Nationwide Cup Series race will see Kenny Wallace's #09 car promoting American Ethanol yet again, with a full-body American Ethanol branding for the second time this season. Tune into the SPEED Channel tonight at 6:30 p.m. CDT to watch the drivers compete at Richmond International Raceway for the ninth race of the 2011 series.
Viewers will learn more about ethanol throughout the race, with Wallace's car hosting one of the in-car cameras that give spectators a driver's level view of the race so they can enjoy the thrills, high speed, and inevitable trading of paint that is NASCAR. The race will offer pulse-quickening thrills mixed with valuable information on ethanol, an exciting renewable energy option.
At 47, Wallace has competed in 57 total events at Richmond International Raceway throughout his career in NASCAR's top-three racing divisions. Wallace will make his 33rd career-start when he tightens his belts and focuses on earning his fourth Nationwide Series victory at the Virginia short-track. Wallace scored his three Richmond victories in four events during the 1994-1996 seasons. During his career, Wallace has completed every Nationwide race he has started on the three-quarter-mile track, accumulating three wins, nine top-five and 17 top-10 finishes.
Following Friday night's festivities, NASCAR's premier Sprint Cup series will race Saturday evening in Richmond. Be watching there, as American Ethanol-sponsored driver Clint Bowyer takes aim at a first-place finish following last week's close second.
Both races will feature American Ethanol green flags and fuel port labels and ads promoting the benefits of ethanol. American Ethanol is on the green flag that starts all the races, and in the car that makes it to the winners' lap. Tune in to see how, working together, NASCAR and American Ethanol are spreading the word that American ethanol provides a renewable, affordable, domestically produced energy option.
For more information on the American Ethanol partnership, click here.
Help Open Doors for U.S. Ag Exports
With the House in recess, the time is now to contact legislators and remind them of the importance of the pending free trade agreements with South Korea, Panama and Colombia. By letting them know that America's farmers want a level, open playing field upon which to compete, friends of agriculture can help move these essential agreements forward.
Despite the recess, some progress has already been made.
On April 18, a Tax Information Exchange Agreement (TIEA) went into effect between the United States and Panama. The Panamanian government has also taken a series of legislative and administrative actions to further strengthen its labor laws and enforcement. United States Trade Representative Kirk announced that the Office of the United States Trade Representative had completed its preparatory work on the Panama FTA and was ready to begin technical discussions with Congress on the draft implementing bill and draft Statement of Administrative Action.
This week, the Administration announced it remains confident that each of the three pending FTAs will be sent to Congress this year. The Korea and Panama FTAs are ready for Congressional consideration now. Exact timing will depend on negotiations with Congressional leaders and other aspects of the administration's broader trade agenda including the renewal of several expired trade programs.
Utilize NCGA's Legislative Action Center to let legislators know that U.S. agriculture supports the pending FTA with Korea by clicking here.
NCGA Concerned about EPA's Newly Announced Clean Water Act Guidelines
The possibility of federal government regulation of ditches and farm ponds has led NCGA to be concerned about the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineer's recently announced guidelines for determining federal waters that are jurisdictional under the Clean Water Act.
"The proposed guidelines are worrisome to our farmers as federal agencies could have the authority to regulate ditches and ponds," NCGA President Bart Schott, a grower from Kulm, N.D. said. "The announced guidelines have the potential to expand federal jurisdiction in a way that could lead to additional permitting requirements and make famers more vulnerable to citizen action lawsuits."
According to the agencies, the draft guidance was developed to clarify the scope of protections under the law following two complex Supreme Court decisions over the past decade. While the guidance maintains existing exemptions for normal farming and ranching activities, NCGA remains concerned that the new proposal could expand EPA's authority over isolated waters including ditches and farm ponds, Schott said. NCGA believes states should have the authority to regulate waters and that specific definition between state and federal jurisdictions are important.
Although the proposed guidelines do not have the full force and effect of law, regulatory decisions could still have an impact. NCGA joins with several other agriculture and environmental groups to request the EPA and Army Corps of Engineers initiate a formal rulemaking process on this matter to ensure transparency and public participation.
"Corn growers are dependent on clean water for our livelihood and for our homes, and we are committed to conservation practices that protect our nation's streams and rivers," Schott said. "Since the guidelines are still in draft form, we hope to have the opportunity to provide feedback to the Agency and the Corps about our concerns and find common solutions."
NCGA Offers Members Access to NASCAR Web Portal
 Who says market development needs to be boring? Corn farmers have ventured into an exciting new partnership with NASCAR that showcases the high-performance benefits of domestic, American Ethanol. More than 75 million fans will hear this positive message thanks to your membership support.
As part of American Ethanol's partnership with NASCAR, NCGA benefits from all the race circuit has to offer and NCGA's 35,000 members are invited to join the fun. NCGA has launched an online portal to all things NASCAR, an online connection is customized for NCGA by NASCAR.
In the "Deals" section of the Website, members have access to exclusive offers on the latest gear and unadvertised offers from Official NASCAR Partners and Licensees such as:
· Bank of America
· DirectTV
· Office Depot
· Hotels like the Gaylord Texan and Hard Rock Las Vegas
· Sprint Wireless
· U Coat It floor coatings
· UPS
Plus, a whole host of great benefits for NASCAR fans. Want to see the action in person? The "Race Tickets" section will hook you up with best deals on the circuit. NASCAR RacePoints is the official rewards program of NASCAR, where you can enroll and earn points when purchasing NASCAR apparel, merchandise, collectibles and experiences. On the "Fan Center" page, you can view weekly race videos, become part of NASCAR's social network and find the NASCAR Fan Guide, wallpaper and screen saver downloads. Test your NASCAR knowledge every week for a chance to win amazing prizes in the "Play to Win" section.
Log on to www.ncga.com/racing for more information. NCGA's page also includes the freshest news on the American Ethanol partnership.
Off the Cob Introduces New DC Staffer Sarah Gallo
Today Off the Cob, an occasional podcast series presented by NCGA, sits down with new Washington staffer Sarah Gallo. A seasoned ag lobbyist and formally trained marine biologist, Gallo brings a wealth of experience, enthusiasm and energy to the team. Take a moment to click here and listen as Gallo speaks about her hopes and expectations for her work with NCGA.
Japan Update: First Cargo Ship Due in Kashima Port
The U.S. Grains Council has provided an update on the trade situation with Japan following its devastating earthquake and tsunami. The council, founded in 1960, has offices in Tokyo and elsewhere around the world, where it develops export markets for U.S. barley, corn, grain sorghum and related products.
The Japanese government's latest tally of damage to the nation's agricultural sector reports that more than 59,000 acres in the Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures were flooded and may be polluted with high levels of salt. Total farmland losses across 16 prefectures are valued at $3.39 billion, and facility and equipment losses valued at $2.47 billion. Losses of livestock facilities, crops and animals are estimated at $84 million as of April 11. Finally, there are significant condition problems among surviving livestock in affected areas, due to disruption of normal feeding.
On a positive note, the six feed mills in Hachinohe are expected to produce their normal varieties of compound feed, beginning this week, and breakwaters at Hachinohe port are being repaired and the port draft is being restored to 13 meters (42.6 feet).
The U.S. Grains Council's Tokyo office also reports that the first grain vessel is scheduled to berth at Kashima port within the next few days, and that Kashima's 12 feed millers produced more than 32,000 metric tons of compound feed in March despite the earthquake. Japan's southern grain ports were not affected by the earthquake and tsunami and have been able to compensate for the closures at northern ports.
Similarly, Japanese feed manufacturers have increased production at unaffected mills to maintain feed supplies. Three Kashima facilities produced more feed this March than in 2010 to help cover demand in the Tohoku area.
As of April 7, Japan's purchases of U.S. corn (year-to-date sales plus outstanding purchases) totaled 10.6 million metric tons (418.8 million bushels), a 1.5 percent increase from the 10.5 mmt (412.5 million bushels) purchased at the same time last year.
On Corn Commentary, the award-winning NCGA web blog, you can read about efforts by corn growers in Nebraska to donate grain to support Red Cross efforts to help those impacted by the Japan earthquake and tsunami.
Illinois Grower Talks about Rain, Moisture
The National Corn Growers Association revisits Field Notes, a series that follows a handful of corn farmers from across the country from winter planting preparations through harvest. While these growers come from diverse geographic areas and run unique operations, they share a common love for U.S. agriculture and the basic values that underpin life in farming communities.
As rain and severe weather continue to plague the Corn Belt and the South, Tom Martin is hopeful that he will be able to plant in time to avoid potential yield losses. Despite his optimism, Martin notes that progress thus far has been very slow and that the optimal planting window will close in his area by mid-May.
Martin took a moment to explain why farmers place an emphasis on the moisture content of corn and how the weather and planting schedule affect this key factor.
"If you are harvesting crops with 25 percent moisture, you incur drying costs," said Martin. "At my operation, we would rather harvest corn at about 20 percent because it makes quality control much easier. From there, we will take it down to 15 percent before selling or storing it."
To listen to the full interview, click here.
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