More in Energy

Dec. 15, 2011

Article

Corn and Soybean Digest

Make Fertilizer From Thin Air? | Using “Stranded” Wind Power to Make Renewable Ammonia Could Stabilize N Prices, Build Wind-Power Markets

Wind + water + air = nitrogen (N) fertilizer. It’s a formula that could bring farmers a local, renewable supply of ammonia, more stable N prices and vast new markets for Midwest wind power – markets that would not depend on building costly new transmission lines....More
Oct. 25, 2011

Article

DDG Feed More Valuable Than Traditional Corn, Soybean Rations

A new report from the USDA found that the animal feed produced by U.S. ethanol plants (known as dried distillers’ grains or DDGs) is replacing even more corn and soybean meal in livestock and poultry feed rations than previously thought. The report’s findings have important implications for discussions regarding ethanol’s impact on feed grains availability, feed prices, land use effects and the greenhouse gas (GHG) impacts of producing corn ethanol....More
Oct. 11, 2011

Article

U.S. Unlikely to Hit Renewable Fuel Standard for Cellulosic Biofuels

The biofuel industry will not be able to meet the cellulosic production requirements of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) without significant advancements in technology or investment, according to a National Academy of Sciences study prepared for Congress....More
Oct. 5, 2011

Article

Biofuel Groups Warn Against RFS Changes

Reducing America’s consumption of renewable fuels based upon arbitrary, pre-determined thresholds for corn demand and supply ratios is unnecessary and may lead to higher prices at the pump warned leading biofuel organizations – the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE), the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), Growth Energy, the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA), the National Farmers Union (NFU), the National Sorghum Producers and the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA)....More
Sep. 6, 2011

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Future Ethanol Policy Changes 1

In last week’s column, we looked at some of the past and current successes of the ethanol industry in the U.S.; however, public opinion of ethanol has also changed in the last decade, and public sentiment has seemed to turn quite negative toward ethanol production in many areas of the U.S. Everyone from political leaders to some who formerly supported ethanol to university professors to the national news media to local citizens are blaming ethanol for high food costs, environmental problems, damage to vehicle motors and many other issues....More
Sep. 1, 2011

Article

Argentine Biodiesel Beefs Up

When it comes to Argentina’s ag sector, cattle ranching is the most enduring image for most people. Beef has long been one of its biggest exports, so it will surprise many that it now plays second fiddle to biodiesel as the industry races ahead. But can the momentum last?...More
Aug. 30, 2011

Article

Biofuels Make a Comeback Despite Tough Economy

Global production of biofuels increased 17% in 2010 to reach an all-time high of 105 billion liters, up from 90 billion liters in 2009. High oil prices, a global economic rebound and new laws and mandates in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, China and the U.S., among other countries, are all factors behind the surge in production, according to research conducted by the Worldwatch Institute's climate and energy program for the website Vital Signs Online....More
Aug. 30, 2011

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Ethanol Industry Facing Challenges

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Aug. 16, 2011

Article

President Obama Announces Initiative to Spur Biofuels, and Enhance Energy Security

President Obama has announced that the U.S. Departments of Agriculture, Energy and Navy will invest up to $510 million during the next three years in partnership with the private sector to produce advanced drop-in aviation and marine biofuels to power military and commercial transportation. The initiative responds to a directive from President Obama issued in March as part of his Blueprint for A Secure Energy Future, the Administration’s framework for reducing dependence on foreign oil....More
Aug. 1, 2011

Article

Corn and Soybean Digest

Uncertainties Cloud Corn Ethanol’s Future | Oil Prices and Government Policy are Key Variables

Conditions are good but not great for U.S. corn ethanol producers, says Chad Hart, Iowa State University agricultural economist....More
Aug. 1, 2011

Article

Corn and Soybean Digest

Finding Gold in Energy Conservation | The Three Biggest Energy Users on Grain Farms are Tillage, Grain Drying and Nitrogen Fertilizer

Brandon Diedrich draws a step-by-step diagram of his farm’s corn-handling process for his energy auditor, Dave Warrington. In two hours, they’ll tally every fan, pipe, auger, electric motor and bin as they “follow the grain” from unloading to final storage....More
Jul. 22, 2011

Article

Who Is Making Money From Ethanol: Farmers Or Refiners?

The recent political moves in Congress to remove the federal supports for ethanol, including the blenders’ credit and the import tariff, have justifiably created some question about the profitability of ethanol given high prices for corn. The price of crude oil and its derivative gasoline have influence over the pricing of ethanol. Is the high price of ethanol enough revenue to maintain profitability for ethanol refiners?...More
Jul. 11, 2011

Article

Corn and Soybean Digest

New Analysis Continues to Disprove Food vs. Fuel Debate

There is no statistical evidence to support the argument that growth in ethanol production is driving consumer food prices higher, according to a comprehensive study (pdf) released recently by Informa Economics. Rather, the report concludes that retail food prices are determined by a complex set of inter-related factors, including supply chain costs for energy, labor, transportation, packaging and other marketing-related expenses....More
Jun. 28, 2011

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First in a Series: Ethanol Mandate Means Corn Demand Less Responsive to Price

Federal law that helped jump-start the ethanol industry in the U.S. also is shifting normal supply-and-demand forces within commodities markets, says Wally Tyner, a Purdue University agricultural economist....More
Jun. 27, 2011

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MU FAPRI Reports Economic Impact of Extending Ethanol Tax Credit, Tariff

Extending the current ethanol tax credit and tariff would boost corn-based fuel production – and corn prices – report University of Missouri economists....More
Jun. 16, 2011

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NCGA Disappointed Politics Trumped Policy on Ethanol Vote

The National Corn Growers Association expressed severe disappointment today that the Senate allowed petty politics to trump prudent policy in the fight for the future of the ethanol industry. The passage of Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s amendment to immediately repeal the Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Credit represents a tax increase on fuel that will kill jobs in rural America and hit all consumers in the pocketbook, NCGA says....More
Jun. 14, 2011

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Senators Stand Up for Rural America and Fail Repeal of VEETC

The National Corn Growers Association today thanked the many senators who stood up against Sen.Tom Coburn’s amendment to immediately repeal the Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Credit. The amendment, which needed 60 votes to pass, failed on the Senate floor with 59 votes against and only 40 votes in favor....More
Jun. 14, 2011

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NCGA Supports Ethanol Reform and Deficit Reduction Act Legislation to Reform Ethanol Industry

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) thanked Sens. John Thune (R-SD) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) for introducing the Ethanol Reform and Deficit Reduction Act. The legislation, which is co-sponsored by a bipartisan group of 13 senators, would transition the ethanol industry into a variable tax incentive and create additional market access for ethanol by removing existing barriers of consumer choice....More
May 24, 2011

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Gas Prices Likely to Stay Below $4 This Summer

Drivers have something worth honking their horns over: Summer gasoline prices likely will remain below $4/gal., says Wally Tyner, a Purdue University agricultural economist. Market conditions that caused oil prices to shoot past $110/barrel have improved in recent weeks, pushing oil back under $100 a barrel, says Tyner, an energy policy specialist....More
May 20, 2011

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Biofuels Boost Food Security

The National Corn Growers Association has always believed that ethanol production is good for American agriculture and the economy at large, and now on the global scale we are seeing support from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, which this week published a new analysis that supports the claim that biofuels could help improve food security in rural economies....More
May 6, 2011

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USDA Announces Project to Encourage Development of Next-Generation Biofuels

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the establishment of the first Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP) Project Area to promote the production of dedicated feedstocks for bioenergy. This project will help spur the development of next-generation biofuels and is part of Obama Administration efforts to protect Americans from rising gas prices by breaking the nation’s dependence on foreign oil....More
Apr. 29, 2011

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Gas Prices Would be $4/gal. Without Ethanol

Based upon current market conditions and federal renewable fuels policy, 10% ethanol blends (E10) are keeping gasoline prices 12¢/gal. cheaper than they otherwise would be. As AAA reports, the current average price for gasoline is $3.88/gal. nationwide. Without ethanol, gas prices would average $4/gal. nationally....More
Apr. 22, 2011

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Ethanol Subsidies: To What Extent Do They Influence Corn Prices And Food Prices?

Here is a quiz: Raise your hand if you think subsidies are responsible for high ethanol prices and that ethanol is responsible for high corn prices. OK. Now, raise your hand if you think there is no correlation among subsidies, ethanol prices and corn prices. All right. Now remember your answer and follow along with the latest research about subsidies, corn prices and ethanol prices and whether or not they are linked....More
Apr. 6, 2011

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Corn and Soybean Digest

Importance of Ethanol, Biofuels and Rural America

Recent claims by food manufacturers that the use of corn in ethanol production is driving up food costs have prompted a renewed round of criticism of the practice. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack addressed the issue during a news conference that followed his appearance at this year's Commodity Classic in Tampa. Vilsack says oil and natural gas and alternative sources all have a role to play in providing the nation's energy needs....More
Apr. 5, 2011

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Financial Assistance Available for Oil and Fuel Containment Plans

Farms with above-ground, oil/fuel storage exceeding 1,320 gal. have until Nov. 10, 2011 to develop and implement Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Oil Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasures, or SPCC plans. Producers with less than 1,320 gal. in aboveground storage are not subject to SPCC....More