Renewable Fuel Standard advances in Wisconsin Legislature

A proposed Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) is gaining widespread bipartisan support in both Houses of the Wisconsin State Legislature. AB682 and SB380 each set ambitious goals for making biofuels available to Wisconsin consumers.

Senator Pat Kreitlow is one of the main sponsors of the RFS. He will be the featured guest speaker at a meeting of the WBA convened in Eau Claire on Monday, January 28. Click here for meeting details, and join us in Eau Claire as we learn from the Senator the progress and the details of this most important legislative effort.

Meanwhile, look to the Wisconsin Biodiesel Report for continuing updates on the progress of this initative, and contact your local State Representatives to express your support for a Renewable Fuel Standard that includes provisions promoting renewable biodiesel as "Home Grown Fuel for a Better Wisconsin."

Wisconsin Green Tier Conference Feb 4-5 in Madison

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recognizes that the best businesses in Wisconsin take seriously their role as environmental stewards. These progressive companies actively seek ways to incorporate new technologies and best practices that reduce their environmental footprint.

In creating the award winning Green Tier Program, the DNR offered such businesses a way to step away from the adversarial model of enforcement that is most commonly employed elsewhere to assure compliance with environmental regulations. Instead, Green Tier presents a collaborative system of contracts and charters that meet and exceed the regulatory objectives. Working together, the state and the individual business honor each others' commitment to the environment by creatively and cooperatively developing the plan that will best limit any environmental impact of the business within its community.

Click here for a list of FAQ's that offer a more expansive view of the Green Tier program.

Better yet, make plans to attend the 2008 Green Tier Advantage event scheduled for February 4th and 5th at Monona Terrace in Madison. Wisconsin DNR and Wisconsin Environmental Initiative are hosting a series of speakers, discussions, and workshops that show the ways in which responsible Wisconsin businesses have become "a most powerful force for environmental good" through their involvement with the Green Tier Program.

Click here for the updated 2008 Green Tier Advantage agenda

Click here to register for the 2008 Green Tier Advantage event

Save the date!: WBA Quarterly Meeting in Eau Claire January 28th

UPDATE! The WBA will convene its quarterly meeting in Eau Claire on Monday, January 28th. This meeting will be held from 10:30am to 1:30pm at the Plumbers and Steamfitters Union Hall on Ridge Road. State Senator Pat Kreitlow will be our special guest and will update the assembly on the progress being made on a state Renewable Fuel Standard.

Click here for meeting details.

Happy New Year? Oil & Biodiesel Feedstock Prices Open Year at Record Highs

Jeff Pieterick, President, WBA
from Wisconsin Biodiesel Association Newsletter
December 20, 2007
Click here to signup to receive the Wisconsin Biodiesel Association Newsletter

Happy New Year ?

Hoo, boy! 2008 began with crude oil breaching the $100 mark. This was immediately followed by record prices in the edible oils markets here and overseas.

Futures prices on soy, palm, and other edible oils now closely track crude oil prices in recognition that these commodities are also used in the production of biodiesel. If biodiesel production is in fact driving this upward surge, it cannot be sustained at levels that preclude the industry from accessing them due to prohibitive cost. Then again, it's been shown that commodity speculators can often remain irrational much longer than commodity buyers can sustain. Biodiesel producers throughout the country thus continue to limit expansion projects or suspend operations altogether as they wait out the markets.

The resulting reduction in actual consumption of these oils - along with the increased crop yields in soybean production and an increase of acreage planted for soybean and other oil crops - will create pressure for downward adjustments in the markets. Meanwhile, it is important for the future of our domestic renewable fuels industry to research, develop, and produce alternative feedstocks for biodiesel. Camelina, canola, and jatropha are only the beginning of possibilities to be explored.

The "Holy Grail" for biodiesel, however, may be found in the commercial viability of algae as a feedstock for biodiesel.

Read more of the WBA Op/Ed article here>>

Voice of the Packers to Address Corn/Soy Expo

from Wisconsin Ag Connection:

Another familiar voice will address Wisconsin corn, soybean and pork producers at this year's annual Corn/Soy/Pork EXPO in Wisconsin Dells. Wayne Laravee, the man who delivers play-by-play action for the Green Bay Packers Radio Network, will share his stories of America's favorite football team with farmers gathering at the Kalahari Conference Center on January 25.

A veteran sportscaster, Laravee enters his 30th consecutive year broadcasting for NFL games, including the last nine with the Green Bay Packers. Known for his thorough preparation and moderate, yet enthusiastic calls, Larrivee's more-recent credits include play-by-play of Chicago Bulls basketball on WGN-TV, Big Ten Conference football and basketball for ESPN Regional, co-host of the nationally syndicated Pro Football Weekly radio program the past 20 years, and Chicago Cubs baseball.

Corn/Soy EXPO Wisconsin Dells kicks off January 24, with an early bird marketing session hosted by Darin Newsom, DTN senior marketing analyst. Thursday's general session at 9:30 a.m., marks the official start of the program and features Illinois Farmer and Journalist, John Phipps.

Educational breakout sessions Thursday afternoon cover topics ranging from corn and soybean pest control strategies, to insurance, marketing and precision agriculture applications. University of Wisconsin-Extension Economist Randy Fortenbery presents his ever-popular forecasts for corn and soybean prices Friday morning, followed by Agricultural Meteorologist Elwynn Taylor. Taylor not only discusses weather trends and forecasts, he discusses their potential impact on crop and pest conditions. A special nitrogen management session is slated for Friday afternoon, by Ken Ferrie, an independent crop consultant known for his work with Farm Journal magazine. During a two hour session, Ferrie will detail nitrogen management and crop interactions and relate his techniques for maximizing production.

Corn/Soy EXPO Wisconsin Dells is a great opportunity for corn and soybean growers to mix business with family time at a popular, Wisconsin winter destination. Along with the educational programs, it features a large industry trade show and time for interaction with company representatives and other growers. Annual meetings of the four grower organizations and Wisconsin Pork Association are held during Corn/Soy EXPO and admission to the Pork Producers Taste of Elegance reception is included in the registration fee. A special overnight room rate at the Kalahari of $99 is available for standard rooms January 23-25 and a limited number of Friday night rooms also are available at a reduced rate for conference attendees.

Program brochures and registration materials are available online at http://www.wisoybean.org/ or http://www.wicorn.org/ or by calling 608-223-1111.

"Ag Day at the Capitol" set for January 30th

Renewable Energy Topic for Discussion
from Wisconsin Ag Connection:

The annual Ag Day at the Capitol has been scheduled for January 30 at the Monona Terrace in Madison. The event is the largest gathering of farmers from across the state representing a variety of farm groups to learn more about priority state issues, and to lobby their state lawmakers as a unified voice for agriculture.

The forum gets underway with a briefing on state issues, followed by a walk to the Capitol to meet with representatives to lobby on issues favorable for Wisconsin farmers. The Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation says discussion topics will likely include protection of the Right to Farm law, health care, renewable energy and nutrient management.

Ag Day at the Capitol is co-sponsored by the Farm Bureau, National Farmers Organization, Wisconsin Cattlemen's Association, Wisconsin Pork Association, Wisconsin State Cranberry Growers Association, Wisconsin Corn Growers Association, Wisconsin Potato and Vegetable Growers Association, Wisconsin Soybean Association, Dairy Business Association, Professional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin, Wisconsin Horse Council, Wisconsin Women for Agriculture, and the Country Today newspaper.

Farmers can register by calling 800-261-FARM. The cost is $10. Last year, more than 700 farmers attended the event.Rural Mutual Insurance Company and GROWMARK are major sponsors of the event.