Ed Hegland is a farmer from Minnesota and currently serving as Chairman of the National Biodiesel Board. He stopped by the New Holland booth while I was attending the Commodity Classic trade show in Nashville where I got to talk to him about how equipment manufacturers are supporting biodiesel. Ed says that as a farmer he’s excited to see companies …
John Deere Ethanol Risk Protection
John Deere Risk Protection has introduced the industry’s first-ever Ethanol Policy by providing coverage to corn producers who have delivery contracts for the purpose of ethanol production. The policy was officially introduced at the end of January and Deere has been talking with growers at events during the last month, including the Farm Machinery Show and last week’s Commodity Classic. …
Deere Running on Biofuels
John Deere sponsored one of the most popular and well attended Learning Center sessions at the 2008 Commodity Classic in Nashville this week. “Starch and Cellulose as Ethanol Feedstocks” discussed the importance of starch as today’s primary ethanol feedstock, harvesting challenges for increased corn yields as well as cellulose, and how to increase demand for biofuels. Don Borgman, director of …
Ag Secretary on RFS
Secretary of Agriculture Ed Schafer has only been on the job officially for about a month but he has been busy making the rounds of farm meetings. During his appearance at the 2008 Commodity Classic on Friday, Schafer expressed great optimism for agriculture – record prices, record farm income, record exports and the blending of energy and agriculture. During a …
Introducing Ethanol Retailer Magazine
The Ethanol Promotion and Information Council is now in the publishing business after announcing the introduction of “Ethanol Retailer” magazine this week. Robert White, Publisher, is pictured (center) during a panel he participated in on E85 during the National Ethanol Conference. I interviewed Robert about the new venture and the panel he was on. Ethanol Retailer is the only magazine …
Getting More Washington Perspective
Our Undersecretary for Rural Development, Tom Dorr, was first up on the program here this morning at the National Ethanol Conference to speak about the farm bill and focus on renewable fuel policies and provisions. He says the ethanol industry is going through some growing pains, or put another way, transitional challenges. He’s convinced these will be overcome. Like many …
Shannon Brown Performs at National Ethanol Conference
The National Ethanol Conference got a little bit country and a little bit rock and roll tonight and a whole lot of corn fed. I don’t know about you but I love being corn fed and I love Shannon Brown’s song. I got to meet her this afternoon here at the National Ethanol Conference and she and her band performed …
Andy Karsner Speech
Bob Dinneen, RFA President, isn’t the only one to preach a powerful sermon here at the National Ethanol Conference. I was very surprised and pleased to hear Andy Karsner, Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy, U.S. Department of Energy, speak at today’s luncheon. He gave a very passionate speech that you would really enjoy listening to. That’s why …
Ethanol Industry is Sound
The Reverend of Renewable Fuels got up and preached a powerful sermon today on the state of the ethanol industry. Bob Dinneen, President of the Renewable Fuels Association, gave his annual state of the industry speech this morning. Speaking before more than 2,200 attendees at the 13th Annual National Ethanol Conference in Orlando, Florida, he declared that the state of …
Bob and Jack Kick Off National Ethanol Conference Golf
Here at the National Ethanol Conference golf is the first activity. RFA President Bob Dinneen got everyone started here this morning out at ChampionsGate golf course. Just before he gave everyone the send off I spoke to him about the Conference. Bob says that this is the biggest and best Conference ever with over 2,300 people attending. He says they’ll …