Archer Daniels Midland Company and Brazilian agricultural company Grupo Cabrera have formed a joint venture to produce ethanol from sugarcane. The joint venture will construct two processing complexes, each consisting of a sugarcane plantation, a sugar mill, an ethanol distillery and a biomass- powered cogeneration facility to provide power and steam. The complexes will be located in Limeira Do Oeste …
USDA Under Secretary Resigns
The exodus of appointees under the Bush Administration has begun. U.S. Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer today announced the resignation of Agriculture Under Secretary for Rural Development Thomas Dorr. “Tom Dorr has been a transformational leader for USDA Rural Development,” Schafer said. “As the transition to a new Administration continues in the months ahead, senior leaders will be moving on, but …
Ethanol Pleased with Election Results
The Renewable Fuels Association wasted no time today in congratulating Barack Obama on his victory. “Throughout this campaign, President-elect Obama has reiterated that American farmers and ethanol producers are a critical component of our national strategy to help reduce America’s dependence on foreign oil,” RFA said in a news release. “We look forward to working with an Obama Administration and …
Ethanol and an Obama Presidency
What will an Obama presidency mean for ethanol and other biofuels? In August of 2007, when no one was really expecting him to even get the Democratic nomination, Obama headlined the grand opening of VeraSun’s Charles City, Iowa ethanol plant. At the time he said that ethanol “ultimately helps our national security because right now we’re sending billions of dollars …
Ethanol Demand Continues to Outpace Production
According to the latest Energy Information Administration figures, ethanol facilities were producing 647,000 barrels per day in August, up from 614,000 in July. The Renewable Fuels Association reports that demand continued to outpace production, with demand in August calculated at 661,000 barrels per day, which exceeds 10 billion gallons a year. “This demand is approaching the legal limit of ethanol …
Biomass Ethanol Website Launched
A web site dedicated to the exchange of information on switchgrass and other biomass energy crops has been launched at BiomassConnections.com. “The focus of the site is to allow producers and stakeholders to openly share ideas and experiences gleaned from raising and marketing switchgrass and other biomass energy crops,” says site host and switchgrass farmer Andy Bater. “Our intention with …
VeraSun Receives Financing
One of the country’s largest ethanol producers is getting financing in place to maintain operations at 14 plants in eight states under Chapter 11 reorganization. VeraSun Energy Corporation reports it has received commitments for up to $215 million in debtor in possession financing and the U.S. Bankruptcy Court entered an interim order allowing VeraSun and its affiliates to borrow up …
Monsanto Invests in Sugarcane for Ethanol
Monsanto is moving into the sugarcane seed business. The company has announced that “in the face of long-term changes driving greater global demand for food and biofuel sources” they are investing in sugarcane “to diversify its existing core crop portfolio and to leverage its experience in bringing innovations to the agricultural marketplace through breeding and biotechnology.” Monsanto will be acquiring …
Ethanol Industry Urged to Vote
In this “Ethanol Report” podcast, Matt Hartwig of the Renewable Fuels Association talks about why it is important for the industry to be involved in the political process and why every needs to get out and vote. No endorsements from the RFA on who to vote for, by the way, just vote because elections on both the state and national …
Indiana Ethanol Plant Starts Up
The sun may be going down on one major ethanol producer, but a nice little 100 million gallon per year plant is just taking off in Indiana. Cardinal Ethanol in Randolf County, Indiana officially started grinding corn on Saturday in a very low key event, according to the Muncie StarPress.com. Indiana Congressman Mike Pence, local politicians, members of the press …