1. Update on Iowa Grain Flow Survey
Chad Hart
Iowa Corn Growers Association/Iowa Corn Promotion Board
Johnston, Iowa
August 7, 2008
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2. Supporting Organizations
Agribusiness Association of Iowa
Iowa Biodiesel Board
Iowa Corn Promotion Board
Iowa Farm Bureau Federation
Iowa Institute for Cooperatives
Iowa Renewable Fuels Association
Iowa Soybean Association
Iowa Department of Economic Development
Iowa Department of Transportation
Project Partners:
Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship
Iowa Office of USDA-NASS
Thanks!
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3. Project Notes
Still targeting a September completion for the final report for the 2006/07 survey
The following is a preliminary summary to update sponsors
No formal announcement or public release will be done before the final report is made available to all sponsors
Looking at/for changes in survey questions for 2007/08
Some concern about “survey fatigue” given the surveying and resurveying triggered by the floods
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4. Participation Survey Section Sample Returns Response Rate
Grain Marketers
4,000
1,281
32.0%
Grain Handlers
981
393
40.1%
Corn Processors/Ethanol 32 13
40.6%
Soybean Processors 30 11
36.7%
Biodiesel 9
69.2%
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5. Corn Markets for Farmers
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6. Corn Transport
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7. Farmers’ Infrastructure Ratings
Poor
Average
Excellent 1 2 3 4 5
N/A
No Response
Rail lines
10%
39%
17% 4% 9%
12%
Interstates 1% 3%
29%
11%
Primary State Highways
38%
33% 6%
Paved County Roads 5%
14%
37%
28%
Unimproved Gravel Roads
20%
36%
Waterways
27% 2%
23%
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8. Farmer Hindrances Not at all Somewhat Definitely 1 2 3 4 5 N/A
No Response
Trucking costs
14%
11%
26%
19%
16% 4%
Bridge weight restrictions
29%
12%
20%
13%
Rail service costs 8%
17%
Rail access
23%
10%
15%
Rail service reliability
18%
Road weight restrictions
31%
24% 9% 3%
Elevator unloading time
22%
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9. Corn Markets for Elevators
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10. Handlers’ Infrastructure Ratings
Poor
Average
Excellent 1 2 3 4 5
N/A
No Response
Rail lines 4% 9%
33% 8% 0%
36%
11%
Interstates 1% 2%
42%
41% 6% 5%
Primary State Highways
15%
48%
25% 3%
Paved County Roads
22%
44%
24%
Unimproved Gravel Roads
10%
26%
46%
12%
Waterways
29% 7%
43%
13%
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11. Handler Hindrances Not at all Somewhat Definitely 1 2 3 4 5 N/A
No Response
Trucking costs 4%
11%
24%
28% 2% 3%
Availability of seasonal labor
10%
12%
25%
21%
26%
Elevator storage capacity 7%
30% 5%
Rail service costs
13% 6% 8%
15%
44%
Elevator unloading time
27%
Bridge weight restrictions
18%
14%
Rail access
17%
33%
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12. Ethanol Markets
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13. Dried Distillers Grains Markets
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14. Corn Processors’ Infrastructure Ratings
Poor
Average
Excellent 1 2 3 4 5
N/A
Rail lines 0%
23%
38%
31% 8%
Interstates
Primary State Highways
54%
Paved County Roads
15%
46%
Unimproved Gravel Roads
Waterways
Department of Economics 14

15. Corn Processor Hindrances
Not at all
Somewhat
Definitely 1 2 3 4 5
N/A
Rail service costs 0%
15%
46% 8%
Rail access
23%
Rail service reliability
Road weight restrictions
Bridge weight restrictions
31%
Storage capacity
38%
Trucking costs
Department of Economics 15