2005 Year in Review

Weekly Update for July 5, 2005

Source: Illinois Soybean Association; Illinois Soybean Checkoff Board; 1605 Commerce Parkway; Bloomington, Illinois 61704; (309) 663-7692 telephone; (309) 663-6981 fax; www.ilsoy.org

Senate Passes Energy Bill - Last week the U.S. Senate passed their version of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 -- bringing new legislation closer to reality – legislation that will create more benefits for biodiesel fuel. The Illinois Soybean Association through the American Soybean Association will continue to work hard to make certain that biodiesel tax incentives will remain in the bill as it moves to the House-Senate Conference Committee. The Committee will reconcile the House and Senate versions before sending the Energy Bill out for its final vote. The Senate bill includes a provision to extend the biodiesel tax credit through December 2010 and an expansion of the definition of an alternative fuel to include fuel of at least 20 percent biodiesel.

Barge Tour Schedule Set - The Illinois Soybean Association, in partnership with the Illinois Corn Growers Association, Illinois Farm Bureau, Iowa Corn Growers Association and MARC 2000 is once again hosting a series of barge tours on the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers. With the Water Resources Development Act passed by lawmakers, the focus this year will shift to talking about watershed management and environmental restoration. Tour participants will also have the opportunity to see what improvements will be needed on the locks. The tours begin on August 2 with a morning tour at LaSalle-Ottawa on the Illinois River and continue through August 12 on the Mississippi at Dubuque, Iowa. The tours are free, but reservations are required. Registration forms are available on the Illinois Corn Growers Association web site at Illinois Corn

Deadline for hotel reservations this week for Midwest Soybean Conference – Those who will be attending the Midwest Soybean Conference July 27 and 28 in Des Moines have until Friday, July 8 to reserve their hotel room and still qualify for the special conference rate. The official hotel is the Sheraton Inn West Des Moines. Sleeping rooms are $82 for single/double; $92 for triple and $102 for quad. The annual Soybean Conference will also be held at the hotel and is focused on leadership. Conference registration information is available from the host organization – the Iowa Soybean Association web site Iowa Soybean Association.

Long-time Soybean Leader Passes Away – Lyle Grace of Urbana passed away last week at the age of 88. Lyle was instrumental in establishing and organizing the Land of Lincoln Soybean Association in the early 1960s and was the Association’s first President from 1964-1967. He continued to serve on the Association board until 1988. Lyle received the Distinguished Service Award from the Land of Lincoln Soybean Association and honorary lifetime membership from the American Soybean Association. He was active with the Illinois Farm Bureau and many other organizations.

by  Editor, theCity1.com
July 11, 2005