Page 20—Corn Talk, Lancaster Farming, Saturday, October 10, 1998 Researchers Write ST. LOUIS, Mo. - Working under the auspices of the Renewable Vision 2020, near ly 100 of the country's top sci entific minds joined together recently to tackle a single problem how do we replace petroleum-based chemicals with plants as the main "building blocks" upon which the material needs of our soci ety are met? The end result of their efforts will be a technology roadmap endorsed by the agricultural, forestry, and chemical industries alike, that will be equally accepted by both public and private researchers in setting research and development priorities. Initiated in 1995 and led by the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) and the U.S. Department of Energy, the purpose of the Renewable Vision 2020 effort is to replace 10 percent of all petroleum-based chemicals with plant-based, renewable resources by the year 2020, and 50 percent by 2050. "This is very important work we're doing. So many people don't' understand that' petroleum doesn't just fuel our cars,: observes workshop attendee A 1 Cotter, a corn grower from Minnesota and a member of an NCGA Corn Action Team. "Petroleum is the base chemical used in the production of nearly all plastics, the synthetic fibers in clothing, paints and stains, inks and fast food containers and so many more of the materials thins we enjoy. "For all economic purposes, fossil fuel supplies will run out over the next 20 to 30 years. If that hap pens before we've found economically viable replacements, it will seriously threaten the eco nomic growth, healthy standards of living, and strong economic security Americans now enjoy." Plants are one of the most promising replacements for petroleum because plants are more readily abundant and renewable, cut costs, require less energy and produce less waste in the production of con sumer goods. "Believe it or not, there is actually energy—in a 'barrel' of corn than in a barrel of oil, but we can't tap into and use that energy today," said Cotter, a former manager who worked in research, engineering and manufacturing for the 3-M Company. "So you can see how this effort makes not only good environmental sense, but good economic sense to companies looking for healthy returns for their stockholders." The technology roadmap represents an important intermediate step in the efforts of the - Renewables Vision 2020 coalition. Step one was the develop ment of the "Plant/Crop- Based Renewable Resources 2020" document which out lined the coalition's vision and goals. In February, com panies, Associations and gov ernment agencies signed a historic agreement in support of the vision. The second and current he PrecisiM Of Mute, he Ease Of Cenfr I The 6800 Series Central Fill Planters. With the White 6800 Series planters, you get accurate seed placement, precise depth control, narrow row spacing, and central fill convenience in one planter. Its unique rigid frame positions row units at 30” for com and 15” for soybeans and 10” for soybeans, wheat and other seed. The convenient seed meter con- trol lets you adjust the seeding rate as you go, matching seed population to the yield potential of the soil. 6800 ROW SPACING Roadmap To Renewable Future step is the preparation of a technology roadmap for use by government and industry in setting R & D priorities. The NCGA and DOE will cre ate the roadmap based upon the discussions of these work shops. Upon completion, it will become a "living" docu ment, that can change and grow as new discoveries and research breakthroughs are FOGELSVILLE (Lehigh Co.) The 1999 Com and Soybean Conference is sched uled here at the Days Inn on Jan. 15. This year’s program will feature a variety of timely topics on key issues that corn and soybean growers faced in 1998: graining marketing, soil health, the potential of Up to three gangs of row units power through thick, standing stalks and other heavy residue, while accurately and gently placing seed in the ground. A large, 35 bushel, single seed hopper is quicker to fill than individual row units, and it’s more cost-efficient. To see how your operation can benefit from the most advanced plant- ing system available, stop by your AGCO® White Planter dealer today. 6 row 30” 13 row 15” 8 row 30” 15 row 15” Corn, Soybean Conference in Fogelsville Jan. 15 Al WHITE AGCO I ' 1 * " T 1 * * mecmoH pchforhmkcc 18 row 10” 24 row 10” 17 row 15” (D®lM muz MIWO PENNSYLVANIA MASTER CORN GROWERS ASSOC., INC. made. The final step will the be actual research and business development efforts that will make renewable technologies and products a reality. For more information on the Renewable Vision or a precision farming, and some key ideas for improving com and soybean management. A variety of age exhibitors will also be on hand for the event. Fire Acre Com Club Awards and Soybean Yield Contest Awards will also be presented during the pro gram. A variation in this year’s program will be that it will be copy 2020 or a copy of the "Plant/Crop-Based Renewable Resources 2020" document, contract the NCGA at (314) 275-9915 or visit its web site at http://www.ncga.com. followed by an all-day pro gram on grain marketing the following day, Saturday, Jan. 16. . The Days Inn is located in Fogelsville, west of Allentown on Rt. 78. For information on registration for either confer ence or exhibiting, contact Greg Solt at the Northhampton county exten sion office, (610) 746-1970. See Your AGCO White Dealer Listed Below. Delaware Georgetown Baxter Farms Maryland Dayton J.D. Mullinix Pennsylvania Bechtelsville Miller Equipment Bethel Zimmerman’s Farm Service Carlisle Carlisle Farm Service Elizabethtown Hernley’s Farm Equip. Inc Glen Rock Wertz Farm &Power Equip Greencastle Meyers Implements Klingerstown Stanley’s Farm Service Lebanon Umberger’s of Fontana Oakland Mills Peoples Sales & Service Somerset Lincoln Supply & Equip
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