U.S. Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack is calling on petroleum companies to help increase the percentage of ethanol in our gas tanks to reduce our dependence on foreign oil, boost job creation and promote development of renewable energy from farm-produced feedstocks. E15 was recently approved by EPA and Vilsack says its availability will increase America’s energy security and spur job creation.

A USDA news release says the EPA’s decision to allow the blending of up to 15-percent ethanol in gasoline is one of several steps needed from federal, state and industry to commercialize E15 gasoline blends. Vilsack says reaching the 36-billion gallons of renewable transportation fuel required by the Renewable Fuel Standard will mean the import of fewer barrels of oil – which means the wealth we currently transfer into other countries can be redirected into the creation of rural opportunities and jobs. He says increasing the amount of ethanol that is allowed to be blended in the fuel supply of cars to 15-percent is an important step in the effort to reach that goal.

To enable widespread use of E15 – the Obama Administration has a goal of helping fueling station owners install 10-thousand blender pumps over the next five years. The Department of Energy and USDA have also provided grants, loans and loan guarantees through the Recovery Act and the 2008 Farm Bill to spur American ingenuity on the next generation of biofuels.

The announcement that CME Group will expand electronic trading hours for CBOT grain and oilseed futures to 22 hours a day is causing some concern. For one thing – USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service and its board are looking at the implications for the agency’s report calendar. Speaking of USDA reports – the National Grain and Feed Association says there is significant concern about the market being open during the release of crop reports. They say there could be competitive advantages for firms or individuals who can access and process report information earlier than others. The group also voices concern about added personnel costs to monitor markets around the clock. There are questions about the way grain elevators will handle buys from farmers and how the prices will be pegged as well.

The need to bridge the urban-rural divide to help the average consumer understand today’s agricultural practices was a key topic addressed at the Animal Agriculture Alliance’s 11th annual Stakeholders Summit Wednesday. Attendees heard about innovative new ways organizations are working to share the importance of agriculture with the public. The 10-thousand square foot exhibit “Today’s Agriculture” on display at the 2012 Pennsylvania Farm Show is one example. PennAg Industries Association brought visitors face-to-face with modern farm practices and let them get answers to their questions straight from the farmer. Indiana Pork Executive Director Mike Platt says open communication and transparency with the public are important. Platt is the President of Fair Oaks Farms’ new “Pig Adventure” organizing board. Once completed – the 26-hundred sow operation will celebrate the core message that pork producers care. He says the goal is to protect and maintain producer choice while promoting an honest dialogue with visitors to the farm who are eager to learn more about where their food comes from.

Summit speakers also emphasized the need to open the barn doors to media. Media outlet representatives shared experiences and strategies to help agriculture build relationships with reporters through open, honest communication. Janie Gabbett of Meatingplace encouraged attendees to actively tell their stories and be proactive.

Rural electric cooperative utilities in 10 states will receive a total of 334-million dollars in USDA loans to install smart grid technologies and improve generation and transmission facilities. U.S. Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack says a 21st Century electric grid is essential to the country’s ability to create jobs in the clean energy economy of the future. He says these investments enable consumers and businesses to better manage their use of electricity and help maintain affordable rates. Building transmission infrastructure that employs smart grid technologies – Vilsack continues – will make it easier to add renewable sources of electricity into the grid and improve reliability.

With support for nearly 20-million dollars in Smart Grid technologies included as part of the funding announced Friday – USDA Rural Development moves closer to the Secretary’s goal of funding more than 250-million dollars for Smart Grid technologies.

USDA is accepting applications for grants to provide broadband service to residents of remote, rural communities. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says ensuring all Americans have access to reliable broadband is an important part of the Obama Administration’s effort to help create jobs and expand economic opportunities in rural areas. He says the Community Connect Broadband grants are critical for businesses and residents – but also help first responders, educators and health care professionals by providing access to broadband service. These grants are made available to the most rural, underserved and economically challenged areas. Funds are used to build broadband infrastructure and the awardees must establish community centers that offer free public broadband access.

For more information on Community Connect grants and the application guide – visit the USDA Rural Develoment website.

As long as enough signatures are validated – California voters are likely going to see a ballot initiative to require labeling of genetically modified foods in November.

The California Right to Know campaign says it gathered more than 971-thousand signatures – nearly double the 555,236 required to qualify for the ballot. Biotechnology Industry Organization spokesperson Karen Batra says it’s unfortunate consumers are being dragged into the debate. She says it’s not about food labeling – but is part of a political agenda to disparage mainstream agriculture. A coalition called Stop the Costly Food Labeling Proposition is in place to oppose the initiative.

Bayer CropScience has taken possession of land in Goehner, Nebraska and will develop the site as a focal point for its wheat breeding program in North America.

Bayer’s Global Wheat Breeding Manager Edward Souza says it’s expected that the work done at this site will result in exciting advances in wheat productivity and sustainability that will benefit farmers in the region and ultimately the grain trade worldwide. Bayer CropScience AG and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln signed a non-exclusive agreement to improve wheat breeding and generate new wheat varieties in 2010. Bayer has since been working to identify a suitable site in the state for its North American Regional Wheat Breeding Station. The station in Goehner will be part of Bayer’s global network of wheat breeding stations situated in the heart of key wheat production regions. Additional centers are planned in Europe and other regions over the coming years.

For more information – visit www dot bayercropscience dot us (www.bayercropscience.us).

The Insect Forecast Tool that farmers across the Corn Belt have participated in for the past two seasons has been enhanced to track the corn rootworm and to offer expanded online and mobile access for 2012. This early warning system tool is used to monitor above ground pests that could threaten corn yields. Monsanto Corn Traits Marketing Manager Matt Kirkpatrick says farmers can now go to www dot insectforecast dot com (www.insectforecast.com) to learn when corn rootworm larvae are hatching in their area. He says this will allow for better timing to scout fields for potential root damage. The tool will also continue to track the migration of corn earworm and western bean cutworm.

According to Kirkpatrick – greater awareness about the corn rootworm hatch and migration patterns of corn earworm and western bean cutworm moths can help farmers minimize their impact. The tool can help farmers make decisions about pesticide application timing and traited corn hybrids.

Developed by climatologist and meteorologist Mike Sandstrom – this tool analyzes moth trapping data and weather patterns to issue one, two and three-to-five day forecasts for corn earworm and western bean cutworm. The corn rootworm hatch is updated weekly. To receive email alerts from May through September – farmers in the Corn Belt can sign up at www dot insectforecast dot com (www.insectforecast.com).