Passing permanent E15 legislation is fastest way to move more corn 

By Chris Cherry, President, Indiana Corn Growers Association 

It’s hard to believe we’re already in July. The calendar keeps ticking along, and the pace on the farm doesn’t slow down. We just wrapped up wheat harvest and moved straight into planting double-crop soybeans. 

At the same time, we’re trying to finish up post-emergence applications for our soybean acres. Just when it feels like we’re getting caught up, a few more tasks pop up — and the cycle continues. 

July is also a full month for the Indiana Corn Growers Association and staff. Mid-month, many of us will head to Washington, D.C., and by the end of the month, we’ll roll right into the annual Indiana Ag Policy Summit, Member Appreciation Night, and then straight into the Indiana State Fair. 

I’ll be in Washington, D.C., participating with National Corn Growers Association and the Biofuels Action Team. This is my second year on the team, and our focus is on expanding ethanol and other biofuels into new markets. It’s been a rewarding experience. 

As I’ve said many times before, our main mission is simple: Move the pile. And the fastest way to move corn is to find new markets where we can burn it. 

One key piece is passing permanent E15 legislation — something we remain committed to pursuing. As we know, E15 is a blend of 15 percent ethanol with 85 percent gasoline that can be used in all vehicles in the United States. Without permanent legislation, we must wait on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to adopt a waiver that allows retailers to sell gasoline blended with as much as 15 percent ethanol. 

Legislation allowing consumers year-round access to E15 does not cost the government any money, should create lower prices at the pump, and would like boost the bottom line for many Indiana farms. 

U.S. corn farmers believe strongly in the case for higher blends of ethanol because of its ability to improve engine performance and reduce environmental impacts, all at a lower cost to consumers. Corn farmers work tirelessly to ensure consumers have a future choice at the fuel pump that delivers all the benefits possible through fuels blended with higher volumes of ethanol. 

Whether it’s backing the market access provided by the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) or expanding the marketplace with higher blends of ethanol, like E15, the ICGA and National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) is working for America’s corn farmers to increase ethanol use. 

Each year, roughly 43 percent of Indiana’s field corn goes into fuel ethanol. Ethanol is the second-largest customer for U.S. corn. Corn ethanol is uniquely positioned to play a larger role in the future of transportation fuels. 

Membership Appreciation Night 

All paid ICGA members and Indiana Soybean Alliance members are invited to attend the Membership Appreciation Night from 5-8 p.m., Tuesday, July 29 at The Cardinal Room, 6905 S. County Road 525 East, Whitestown, IN, 46075. 

This event is a good opportunity for farmers to get together and talk about the things that matter most on our farms. It is a relaxed evening with good food and a few prizes. 

Anyone interested in becoming a member should contact Khyla Goodman at kgoodman@incorn.org.

Click here for more information.