Roots September 2021

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.

6 | Roots • 2021

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

8 | Roots • 2021

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

Iowa Corn | 5505 Northwest 88th Street | Johnston, Iowa 50131 | 515-225-9242 | corninfo@iowacorn.org