A number of global megatrends can mean new opportunities for agribusiness moving forward, according to Chris Nolan with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), who gave the keynote address at the 2016 Export Exchange this week in Detroit. Nolan identified five global megatrends – demographic shifts, global economic power shifts, accelerating urbanization, resource scarcity, and evolving technology – that provide opportunities for the agricultural …
USGC Chairman Bullish on #ExEx16
The chairman of the U.S. Grains Council is attending his first Export Exchange this week in Detroit and he is very impressed. Maryland farmer Chip Councell says he is amazed by the number of attendees and the prospects that the event offers for U.S. grain suppliers. “We have over 200 international customers from 35 countries,” said Councell. “It’s a great …
#ExEx16 Considers Election Impact on Trade
Renewable Fuels Association president and CEO Bob Dinneen had the unenviable task of talking about the U.S. presidential election to an international audience at Export Exchange 2016 today in Detroit. “I know half of you are sick to death of the election and just want it over, and half of you are watching in somewhat bemused amazement wondering what in …
Hundreds in Detroit for #ExEx16
Hundreds of buyers and sellers of U.S. coarse grains and ethanol co-products have arrived in Detroit for Export Exchange 2016 and even though they are from more than 30 countries they are busy making connections and building relationships. The event, which has been held every two years since 2010, is co-sponsored by the U.S. Grains Council (USGC) and the Renewable …
Congress Urged to Extend Biofuel Tax Incentives
It’s time once again for the annual push to Congress to extend tax incentives before the end of the year, a plea which is usually ignored. Renewable energy organizations sent letters to Congressional leadership this week calling for a multi-year extension of the Second Generation Biofuel Producer Tax Credit, the Special Depreciation Allowance for Second Generation Biofuel Plant Property, the …
#Ethanol Breaking Through Blend Wall
The average amount of ethanol in the nation’s gasoline supply hit a new record last week of 10.4 percent, just breaking through the 10% blend wall for the second time in a month, according to the latest data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA). The EIA Weekly Supply Estimate shows that an average of 8.798 million barrels per day (mbpd) …
Record #Corn #Harvest Sets Tone for #ExEx16
An anticipated record corn harvest combined with expected record production of animal feed co-products forms the backdrop for the 2016 Export Exchange (#ExEx16) coming up next week in Detroit. More than 200 international buyers and end-users of coarse grains and co-products, including distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS), are expected to attend this biennial networking event co-sponsored by the U.S. …
HPB – St. Joe #Biodiesel Has Grand Opening
High Plains Bioenergy (HPB) celebrated the grand opening of HPB – St. Joe Biodiesel this week in St. Joseph, Missouri. The plant, which was just purchased by the subsidiary of Seaboard Foods last month, will use vegetable oils as the primary feedstock to produce up to 28 million gallons of biodiesel annually. The grand opening celebration marks High Plains Bioenergy’s …
NYC Bioheat® Bill Becomes Law
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio yesterday signed a bill into law that will increase the use of biodiesel, in the form of Bioheat, and decrease the use of heating oil in the Big Apple. The bill was passed by the city council last month and will increase the amount of biodiesel in heating oil from the current 2 …
GROWMARK Makes Energy Investments
GROWMARK announced two major energy-related investments last month that provide benefits for the members of the Illinois-based agricultural cooperative. First, GROWMARK acquired a propane terminal in Plattsburg, Missouri which is connected to the ONEOK pipeline, has 270,000 gallons of storage and the capability to load out two trucks at once. “It gives us another asset and access to propane,” said …