09-01-11 CCA Statement: Sen. Michael Bennet Urging Passage of GIPSA Rule

ARVADA, Colo. — September 1, 2011 — Late last week, Sen. Michael Bennet urged President Barack Obama to finalize and implement the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration’s (GIPSA) proposed rule. This is the same rule that Colorado beef producers have resoundingly stated time and time again is unacceptable due to the egregious limitations that the rule would dictate on how the beef industry conducts its sale transactions for livestock.

“It comes with great surprise that Sen. Bennet is encouraging the passage of this industry- crippling rule considering the vast majority of Colorado beef producers have communicated their opposition to the rule’s passage,” stated David Mendenhall, President for the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association (CCA). “CCA members have personally met with Sen. Bennet and testified in front of Congress clarifying the portions of the rule that will limit the free market and entrepreneurial ability to all producers, specifically small producers. To this end, CCA requests Sen. Bennet reconsider his position.”

CCA would once again like to address the significant concerns raised by the proposed rule regarding livestock and poultry marketing practices. CCA’s policy states that national agriculture policy should be oriented to a free, private enterprise competitive market system. CCA members firmly believe that private enterprise alternatives in marketing and risk management should be developed and encouraged as the preferred alternative to government programming.

USGC Global Update for September 1, 2011‏

US Sorghum Potential in Southeast Asia- Page 1
Council Promotes US DDGS Use to Colombian Livestock Industry – Page 1
Trials Show US Sorghum Potential in Egypt – Page 2
USDA’s Weekly Export Sales Highlights for  August 19-25 – Page 3
Regional DDGS and Corn Gluten Buyers Conferences in Panama City and Geneva – Page 4
Farewell to Gina Tumbarello – Page 4
Office Closure – Page 4
Council Activity Calendar – Page 4

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US Sorghum Potential in Southeast Asia

09-01-11 DoE Awards More Than $145 Million for Advanced Solar Technologies…$15.208M for Colorado

CLICK HERE to view the awards for CO & others

September 01, 2011 - Energy Secretary Steven Chu today announced more than $145 million for projects to help shape the next generation of solar energy technologies and ensure that the United States remains a leader in this global market. Sixty-nine projects in 24 states will accelerate research and development to increase efficiency, lower costs, and advance cutting-edge technologies. Funded through DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, the projects will also improve materials, manufacturing processes, and supply chains for a wide range of photovoltaic (PV) solar cells and components of solar energy systems. Some of these investments also support efforts that will shorten the overall timeline from prototype to production and streamline building codes, zoning laws, permitting rules, and business processes for installing solar energy systems.

“America is in a world race to produce cost-competitive renewable energy that can reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, create manufacturing jobs across the nation, and improve our energy security,” said Secretary Chu. “The projects announced today under DOE’s SunShot Initiative will spur American innovation to help reduce the costs of clean, renewable solar energy and re-establish U.S. global leadership in this fast growing industry.”

The SunShot Initiative seeks to make solar energy systems more cost-competitive, without long-term subsidies, by reducing the cost of these systems about 75% by the end of the decade. The achievement of the SunShot Initiative goals will encourage rapid, widespread adoption of solar energy systems across the United States.

SunShot is driving innovation in the way solar energy systems are conceived, designed, manufactured, and installed. The awards announced today will target improvements across the research, development, and demonstration pipeline, from next generation technologies 7-10 years away from commercial readiness, to scientific and technological improvements which can be rapidly implemented within 5 years. The programs will create entirely new and more economical approaches to collecting solar energy and tackle fundamental challenges to ramp up use of these renewable energy technologies.

The six categories of projects announced today are:

09-01-11 CO Gov Hickenlooper seeks disaster declaration for Yuma County

DENVER ­— Thursday, Sept. 1, 2011 — Gov. John Hickenlooper sent a letter today to U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack requesting a disaster declaration for Yuma County.

“On June 14, 2011, a damaging storm hit in parts of eastern Colorado resulting in substantial damage to property and crops. Specifically, farmers in Yuma County, Colorado, suffered in excess of 30 percent damage to the county’s potato production due to high winds, hail and a tornado,” the governor’s letter said.

The declaration, if approved, would allow producers to qualify for USDA assistance.

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09-01-11 *CWRF News* CWRF ConAgra Ultragrain® Program Increases Top Premium to 90¢

Wheat farmers in Colorado looking to earn more on acres planted to wheat can receive premiums of 30-90 cents per bushel with two CWRF hard white winter wheat varieties: Snowmass and Thunder CL. The Colorado Wheat Research Foundation (CWRF) and ConAgra Mills have announced they are paying higher premiums for higher protein wheat through the CWRF ConAgra Mills Ultragrain^® Premium Program.

This increase in premium gives Colorado growers the opportunity to earn up to an additional 90 cents on each bushel of wheat.  Growers who participate in the program gain a minimum base premium of 30 cents per bushel for the 2012 crop, plus a protein premium of up to 60 cents per bushel for wheat with 15 percent protein – for a total premium of 90 cents per bushel.

Along with increased premiums, CWRF and ConAgra are looking to significantly expand the program in Colorado.

“ConAgra believes in future of their Ultragrain^® flour, and with this increase in premium, they are showing they are serious about increasing acres planted in this program in Colorado,” said Dan Anderson, CWRF president.

In addition to bonus premiums, Snowmass and Thunder CL give farmers in Colorado many additional advantages in the field. These varieties were both developed by Colorado State University’s wheat breeding program and have a strong performance track record.

09-01-11 *CDA News* Colorado Onions Are Versatile Veggies…

LAKEWOOD, Colo. – Each month, the Colorado Department of Agriculture features a different commodity to highlight the variety and quality of products grown, raised or processed in the state. This month, Colorado onions are featured in our Honey Stewed Onions recipe.

 

Available Now…Onions

In 2010 Colorado produced 288 million pounds of onions, valued at $43 million, ranking the state 6th in the nation for onion production. Good quality onions should be firm and hard with short, tight necks and dry papery skins. Slightly loose outer skin is common and should not affect quality. Avoid onions that show mold, decay or blemishes. Look for Colorado onions at your local farmers’ market, grocery store or at restaurants across the state.

Honey Stewed OnionsChef Jason K. Morse, C.E.C., 5280 Culinary, LLC

2 lbs. Yellow Onion, peeled and julienned

3 Tbsp. Olive Oil            

09-01-11 *CO Corn News* Agricultural Internship Opportunity in Washington D.C.

September 1, 2011 – The Colorado Corn Growers Association (CCGA) and the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) are pleased to announce a Public Policy internship opportunity in Washington D.C. for a college Junior or Senior during the Spring Semester 2012. The program is a great opportunity for a student to learn about and be involved in the legislative process by experiencing it firsthand.

The selected applicant will be under the direction of the NCGA Washington D.C. staff from February 1 – April 30, 2012. The program has been designed to enhance a student’s knowledge on bills and policies important to agriculture, the importance of grower membership lobbying, agricultural industry relationships, and the process of policy development. The student will also have an opportunity to experience Capitol Hill lobbying, and interaction with NCGA leadership and office operations.

09-01-11 *Gov Energy Office* LAST DAY to Submit Rebate Reservation for Commercial & Residential PV, Solar Thermal or Wind Projects

As a reminder, TODAY is the last day to submit a rebate reservation for commercial and residential PV, solar thermal or wind projects.

The statewide program is currently at waitlist, but there are still partner funds available. By securing a reservation for your customer you ensure that if funding is released from other expired reservations the customer has a chance to receive funds.  To secure a position on the waitlist, you only need to create a web reservation and submit the signed authorization form. No other work is necessary. We will not penalize waitlisted applicants for moving forward with a project before receiving funding confirmation.

If funding becomes available, you will be notified by email that you have been granted a reservation. All projects that receive a reservation must complete the installation and submit part two 90 days from the approval or by December 1, whichever occurs first.

The following partner funds are still available:

09-01-11 CO Gov Hickenlooper announces payments of more than $54 million for local governments

DENVER ­— Thursday, Sept. 1, 2011 — Gov. John Hickenlooper and Reeves Brown, executive director of the Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA), announced today $54,655,280 in annual state Severance Tax and Federal Mineral Lease Direct Distribution payments will be made to 506 Colorado counties, municipalities and school districts.

DOLA distributes the payments, which are derived from energy and mineral extraction statewide. Last year’s distribution to Colorado communities was $37 million.

“This direct distribution of energy impact funds is an important resource for local governments,” Hickenlooper said. “These funds help make vital, day-to-day operations possible, ensure needed public improvement projects become reality and bolster government services offered to local communities.”

“Responsible energy development provides energy for our quality of life and jobs in local communities,” Brown said. “This year’s increase in energy impact funds is a very positive indicator of the health of Colorado’s energy industry.”