A large coalition of advanced and traditional renewable fuel stakeholders today joined forces to defend America’s Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and the economic, employment, domestic renewable energy and national security benefits the RFS provides. The new coalition, Fuels America, spans the full spectrum of domestically-grown renewable fuel, national security, renewable energy and other stakeholders.

 The coalition also launched an online platform at FuelsAmerica.org and a Twitter presence @FuelsAmerica.

 The launch comes as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency considers a request to “waive” the RFS, a move that coalition members stressed would have serious consequences for America’s rural communities, renewable technology innovators and energy independence.

 The Fuels America campaign will be a national effort, including advertising, beginning in Washington, DC and several states, including Colorado, Ohio, Delaware and Montana. Each state will have its own online platform reachable through FuelsAmerica.org and feature the stories of renewable fuel innovators and communities with a stake in maintaining the RFS.

 Members of the Fuels America coalition stressed that renewable fuel plays a central role in increasing America’s energy independence. Since 2000, domestically-grown renewable fuel has contributed to a 25 percent reduction in oil imports from the Persian Gulf, making the nation more energy independent and driving down prices at the pump. Americans saved $50 billion on imported fuel costs in 2011 thanks to renewable fuel.

Coalition members also noted that the rapidly emerging advanced renewable fuel sector has benefited directly from the RFS, with advanced facilities now producing fuel in Florida, Louisiana, Indiana, Kansas, Minnesota, Mississippi, South Dakota, Tennessee and Texas.

 Coalition members include 25x25, Abengoa Bionergy, ACORE, Advanced Ethanol Council, American Coalition for Ethanol, American Security Project, Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO), DuPont, Growth Energy, National Association of Wheat Growers, National Corn Growers Association, National Farmers Union, National Sorghum Producers, Novozymes, POET, Renewable Fuels Association (RFA).

 California KARE Director Receives Grant for Sorghum Research

 The University of California Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources’ competitive grants program has awarded 16 projects this year for a total of roughly $5.6 million over five years—$595,827 of that was awarded to former NSP Research Director Jeff Dahlberg, Ph.D. Dahlberg, now center director for Kearney Agricultural Research & Extension (KARE), developed a project aimed to facilitate the increased use of sorghum as a multi-purpose, low-input crop in California for bioenergy, food and feed. Dahlberg said he looks forward to making sorghum a more valuable crop in California. For more information about the grants program and to learn more about the study, you can visit the UCANR website.

 New Amendments for the Transportation of Ag Commodities and Farm Supplies

 Posted to the Federal Register today were statutory exemptions from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration designed to simplify regulations for farmers and their employees as required by the new surface transportation reauthorization bill called Map-21. Section 32101 of MAP-21 provides a statutory exemption from the hours-of-service regulations for certain carriers transporting agricultural commodities and farm supplies and Section 32934 provides a statutory exemption from most of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations for the operation of covered farm vehicles by farm and ranch operators, their employees, and certain other specified individuals under certain specific circumstances. The statutory provisions are self-executing and take effect on October 1, 2012. To learn more about these provisions, click here.

 Enter the NSP Yield and Management Contest

It is that time again when producers have the opportunity to compete with other farmers and against their county average for the best sorghum yields in the nation. The NSP Yield and Management Contest is underway, and it’s not too late to enter your crop. Winners will be recognized at the 2013 Commodity Classic in Kissimmee, Fla. Click here to go to the ‘Yield Contest’ page on the NSP website. There, you can download an entry form, instructions, deadlines and rules. Contact 806-749-3478 for more information.

 Crop Report

By Sept.23, eighty-one percent of the sorghum crop was at or beyond the coloring stage, 5 percent ahead of last year but 5 percent behind the 5-year average. The most significant delay was evident in New Mexico, where overall progress was 40 percent behind normal. Nationally, crop maturity advanced to 48 percent complete by week’s end, 8 percent ahead of last year and 2 percent ahead of the 5-year average. Cool weather and light precipitation allowed producers in Kansas to harvest 3 percent of their sorghum during the week. Nationwide, harvest remained slow but steady during the week, advancing to 31 percent complete by week’s end. This was 6 percent ahead of last year and 4 percent ahead of the 5-year average. Overall, 24 percent of the sorghum crop was reported in good to excellent condition, unchanged from both last week and the same time last year.

 Have Harvest Photos?

 NSP has been accepting “photos from the field” all summer, and now that harvest is just now approaching in some areas, we would love to see your harvest photos. Photos we receive will be posted to our Facebook page with your name and location—facebook.com/nationalsorghumproducers. Interested to see how the sorghum crop is looking in other areas of the U.S.? Visit our page and see photos from South Texas to Virginia.

Upcoming Sorghum Events

Oct. 2                           Louisiana Energy Cane, Sweet Sorghum Field Day, Houma, La.

Oct. 4-5                        South Texas Commodity Symposium, Robstown, Texas

Oct. 11                         BioDimensions Field Day, Memphis, Tenn.

Oct. 19                         Whole Grains Council, San Antonio, Texas

Oct. 22-24                     Export Exchange, Minneapolis, Minn.

Oct. 24-25                     USDA-NRCS Field Day, Kingsville, Texas

Oct. 29-31                     Advanced Biofuels Markets, San Francisco, Calif.

Oct. 29-31                     Oklahoma Ag Expo, Oklahoma City, Okla.

Market News - To view this week’s Gulf export grain report, click here.

Sign Up to Receive the Sorghum Checkoff e-Newsletter

Sorghum producers can also receive monthly e-Newsletters from the United Sorghum Checkoff Program. To receive monthly news and information regarding the Sorghum Checkoff’s efforts in sorghum research, education and market development contact info@sorghumcheckoff.com and provide your email address or sign up at www.SorghumCheckoff.com/contact-us. You can also follow the Sorghum Checkoff on Twitter @SorghumCheckoff.

 About Sorghum Notes

Sorghum Notes is a publication of the National Sorghum Producers. NSP represents U.S. sorghum producers and serves as the voice of the sorghum industry from coast to coast through education and legislative and regulatory representation. To learn more about NSP, visit our website at www.sorghumgrowers.com. Write to us at National Sorghum Producers, 4201 N Interstate 27, Lubbock, TX 79403. To unsubscribe to Sorghum Notes, please reply to jennifer@sorghumgrowers.com. If you have questions about the sorghum industry or the National Sorghum Producers, please do not hesitate to call NSP at (800) 658-9808. You can also follow NSP on Twitter @SorghumGrowers, and you can find National Sorghum Producers on Facebook