The planting season is pushing closer to the finish line after another good weather week. Corn planting moved to 86% complete by the end of last week -- compared to 57 percent the week before. That's 13 days behind last year -- but only three days behind the five-year average. The U-S-D-A report … [Read more...]
Governor signs Iowa Renewable Fuels Standard into law
Governor Kim Reynolds has signed a bill into law that will significantly expand the number of Iowa gas stations that sell E15 -- fuel that has a 15% ethanol blend. "This historic bill makes Iowa the first state in the nation to adopt an E15 standard, setting the stage for the single largest … [Read more...]
Planting takes big leap ahead with week of dry weather
Farmers finally got a chance to spend some extended time pulling their planters last week. The U.S.D.A. reports dry warm weather gave farmers five days suitable for fieldwork and they made use of them. Corn planting advanced from 14% to 57% completed. Soybean planting went from 7% in the ground … [Read more...]
Governor to sign E15, B20 sales mandate
Republican Governor Kim Reynolds is expected to sign a bill into law today that establishes an Iowa Renewable Fuels Mandate. Legislators provided some exceptions for small gas stations and those that have older equipment. However, most Iowa gas stations with storage tanks and pumping systems that … [Read more...]
Groundbreaking for $300 million chemical plant in Eddyville
Officials gathered in Eddyville for the ceremonial start of construction of a $300 million chemical plant that will use corn to make fabric and other materials. The project is a joint venture of Cargill and HELM, a chemical company based in Germany. Their new company's called Qore (pronounced … [Read more...]
Democratic candidates for US Senate differ on approach to Ukraine, ethanol policy
Two of the three Democrats running for their party's U.S. Senate nomination say American troops should not be deployed to Ukraine -- but candidate Mike Franken says if Russia uses nuclear weapons, plans should change. Franken, a retired Navy Admiral, said this weekend that the United States and … [Read more...]
Planting starting out slow with cold temperatures and wet soil
The cool and wet weather has delayed planting in the state. The U.S.D.A. crop report shows that 9% of corn has been planted. That is 11 days behind last year and nine days behind the five-year average. Four percent of soybeans are in the ground -- which is nine days behind last year and five days … [Read more...]
Iowa Senate and House endorse adjusted E15 mandate
The Iowa legislature has approved a bill that is estimated to require that the majority of Iowa gas stations sell gasoline with a 15% ethanol blend. Governor Kim Reynolds was speaking with reporters in West Des Moines when she learned the bill had passed the Senate this morning on a 42-3 … [Read more...]
Senate panel advances governor’s RFS for Iowa
The governor's Iowa Renewable Fuels Standard that won House approval in early February has cleared a committee in the senate, but with an addition that could let nearly a third of the state's gas stations opt out of the requirement to sell E15. Molly Severn, the governor's legislative liaison, … [Read more...]
E15 bill details still being negotiated in Iowa Senate
One of the governor's priority proposals for the 2022 legislature is an Iowa Renewable Fuels Standard and it passed the Iowa House in early February. A key lawmaker says negotiations in the Senate are focused on responding to concerns about the scope of the plan. The House bill would require Iowa … [Read more...]