Farmers focus attention on House
Agriculture groups who favor increased ethanol use are focusing their attention on the House of Representatives in hopes of getting Congress to approve a new renewable fuels standard.
Various farmer lobbyist groups sent a letter this week to House members asking them to approve a resolution with provisions for a reformulated fuel standard and a repeal of the federal oxygen content requirement for reformulated gasoline.
Both measures would provide encouragement for ethanol, a motor fuel made from a blend of corn byproducts. Farmers like ethanol because it provides additional markets to sell their corn crop.
"Passing a reformulated fuel standard this year is (the corn growers') No. 1 legislative priority," National Corn Growers Association President Fred Yoder said.
The reformulated fuel standard would call for increased use of ethanol, requiring the ethanol-manufacturing industry to significantly increase production.
The resolution pending before the House would require 5 billion gallons of ethanol made and used per year by 2015, which is nearly triple the amount of ethanol (1.5 billion gallons) currently used.
Corn association officials say they'd prefer to have the 5 billion gallons requirement in force by 2010.
But Yoder said he is most concerned with Congress and President Bush approving a federal energy policy that does not back away from the fuel standard.
"Our focus now is keeping the fuel provisions intact in the House energy bill while working on the numbers," Yoder said.
Other groups participating with the corn growers in their congressional letter include the American Petroleum Institute, the Renewable Fuels Association, the American Farm Bureau Federation, the National Farmers Union and the American Soybean Association.
The House's rules committee reviewed the measure Wednesday, the same day the Senate's Environmental and Public Works Committee gave its recommendation to the measure.
Philippines approves genetic corn
The Philippines has become the first Asian country to approve the commercial growing of Bt corn, a genetically modified variety that gives off a toxin that protects the crop from insects.
About 250 acres of Bt corn was planted in December, and officials expect the crop to be harvested later this month.
Philippines officials say they hope the new crop will give their farmers an economic boost. They note insects, particularly Asiatic corn borer, have caused yield losses of up to 30 percent each year.
Several Asian countries allow the growing of genetically modified cotton and the importation of genetic soybeans and corn grown in other countries. The Philippines is the first country to permit genetic corn to be grown within its own borders.
Military approves pesticide use on bases
The Defense Department has approved the use of a Utah-based company's insect control products on military bases across the United States and around the world.
Diatect International Corp. received notification Thursday that it received the proper permits allowing it to sell its products to military bases around the world.
Diatect manufactures a non-toxic insect control product meant for sustainable and organic food production. Officials say they expect to have their products full available on military bases later this year.
Feds appoint air quality task force
The Agriculture Department has named members to a newly re-created Agricultural Air Quality Task Force.
"Conservation of our natural resources, including air quality, is important to our farmers and ranchers," Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman said.
The task force will advise the Agriculture Department on issues related to air quality's effect on farmers. It consists of members from 14 states across the country.
Feds create ag statistics committee
Twenty-five people were chosen to serve on a new Agriculture Department committee on agriculture statistics.
The committee will prepare research recommendations concerning the types of agricultural statistics needed by farm and ranch organizations and the agriculture industry.
"The committee is important in helping to shape the future of the National Agricultural Statistics Service survey and census programs," Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman said.
Grains lower on CBOT
Grain futures were mostly lower at the close Thursday on the Chicago Board of Trade.
Soybeans fell on profit taking after a firm opening when the funds failed to appear at the new contract highs.
Corn fell on pressure from a combination of commission-house, commercial and local selling on bearish data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Wheat fell on so-so exports data after the USDA cut its estimate by 25 million bushels in each of the last three supply-demand reports.
Oats were mostly lower.
The prices:
Soybeans: May 6.01 down 3, July 6.00 down 3, Aug 5.87 down 2 3/4, Nov 5.31 3/4 down 2 3/4
Corn: May 2.38 3/4 down 3 1/4, July 2.40 1/4 down 3 1/2, Sep 2.39 1/2 down 3
Wheat: May 2.85 1/2 down 1 1/2, July 2.91 down 2 1/4, Sep 2.95 3/4 down 2 3/4
Oats: May 1.86 down 2 1/4, July 1.59 1/2 down 2, Sep 1.46 3/4, Dec 1.46 down 1 1/4
