E-15 Meets EPA Health Guidelines

BLOOMINGTON - Consumers are one step closer to expanded choices at the pump after the U.S. EPA approved industry-submitted research studies proving that the E-15 ethanol blend meets the Agency’s health effect requirements for new fuels brought to market, according to the Illinois Corn Growers Association (ICGA).

“This is great news for both consumers and farmers,” stated Jeff Scates, ICGA president, in a February 17 news release announcing the EPA’s findings. “We’ve driven head-on into the E-10 blend wall here in the U.S., and with this advancement of E-15 as a fuel choice, we’ll see half-again as much market opportunity.”
Ray Defenbuagh, president of the Illinois Renewable Fuels Association, said the U.S. ethanol industry is at a crossroads with foreign market exports critical to advancing ethanol to the next stage of market access. “It’s gratifying to see that corn farmers, the ethanol industry and government are all together, driving towards E-15 as a way to improve our U.S. economy, benefit consumers, and reduce our dependence on foreign oil,” said Defenbaugh.
The data submitted to the EPA for their study was supported with Illinois corn checkoff dollars through an investment made by the Illinois Corn Marketing Board.

IFB “Meet the Buyers” Spotlights Local Food
BLOOMINGTON - Though the Illinois Farm Bureau (IFB) stopped short of endorsing Ill. State Sen. David Koehler’s (D-Peoria) recently-approved Senate resolution calling on the federal government to improve opportunities and level the playing field for local and regional food systems in the upcoming farm bill, IFB’s manager of business development and compliance lauded the idea of more federal support for “local” growers.
“(IFB) supports continued growth in specialty crop production and local food entrepreneurship in Illinois,” said IFB’s Cynthia Haskins, in an email to this reporter. “We are working every day to expand market opportunities for local food producers in Illinois.”
To that effect, IFB is currently engaging farmers around the state in expanding production and will host “Meet the Buyers” events March 27 at the Champaign County Farm Bureau and April 4 in Carterville. More events are in the planning stages and will be announced at a later date, according to Haskins.

Angel: Don’t Write Off Winter Just Yet
URBANA - As of February 10, statewide temperatures were around 6.6 degrees above normal for the year, according to Jim Angel, state climatologist for the Illinois Water Survey. “December and January were the sixth-warmest on record. It’s been an unusually warm winter,” Angel said. “I have seen ground with the top inch or so frozen, but for the most part the ground has remained unfrozen throughout much of the winter season.”
Rainfall that occurred this winter-- following a nearly-historic dry summer throughout much of Illinois and the Midwest in 2011-- seems to have made up for a lack of soil moisture usually provided by snowfall, Angel added. “As far as soil moisture, I think we’re in pretty good shape. Since the grounds are not frozen, most of the (precipitation) has soaked in to recharge the soil moisture after the dry summer we had,” he said.
The Illinois Water Survey monitors 18 sites throughout Illinois in order to record soil moisture levels. “All of those are showing a nice recovery of the soil moisture. They are about at the levels you would hope for this time of year,” reported Angel.
The forecast through April from the National Weather Service calls for a continuation of above-normal temperatures and above-normal precipitation in Illinois. “It’s basically a repeat of the forecast we’ve had the last couple of months or so,” said Angel. “But there is always the opportunity for a few days of real winter weather with below freezing temperatures and snow. It’s too early to write off winter yet.”

First Illinois Soybean Summit Announced
BLOOMINGTON - Attention all soybean producers, agronomists, farm managers and crop consultants: The Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) announced they will host the inaugural Illinois Soybean Summit, themed “Reaching Beyond Yield Obstacles,” at Illinois State University’s Bone Student Center on Friday, March 9. The conference will encourage producers to examine and explore various soybean management techniques for higher yields and greater profits. The agenda features three keynote speakers, six breakout sessions, a farmer panel and on-site trade show to provide valuable learning and networking opportunities for producers. Registration is limited to the first 350 attendees who sign up by the February 23 early deadline. Additional details are available on the ISA website: www.ilsoy.org. (ISA Weekly Update)

Broadband Survey Offered to Rural Dwellers
SPRINGFIELD - A new online survey about high-speed Internet use will reach out to farmers, businesses and institutions to determine their broadband needs, the office of Ill. Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon announced last week. The survey , which includes questions about preferred Internet devices and web activities, is critical for rural Illinoisans who may benefit from expanded broadband accessibility.
“By developing a statewide strategy for better broadband, we’re creating a future that includes enhanced economic opportunities, increased availability of educational tools and higher-quality health care for Illinois residents,” commented Drew Clark, executive director of Partnership for a Connected Illinois.
The survey is open to the public and may be accessed at www.broadbandillinois.org.

Illinois Farm Fact:
Nearly one-fifth of the land area in Illinois lacks any broadband access, and eight of 10 counties with the least access to broadband are in southern Illinois. (Ill. Lt. Governor’s Office)

(Tim Alexander is a freelance reporter who writes agriculture, news and feature articles for the News Bulletin, Farm World and many other publications.)