The House Agriculture Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry held a hearing on Thursday to review the impact of increased biofuels production and higher feed costs on the livestock industry. Congressmen heard from one high-ranking USDA official, six livestock industry representatives and the country’s leading expert on the ethanol co-product known as dried distillers grains which is used as a …
Senators Defend Ethanol Tariff
Two Republican senators voiced concerns Wednesday about a potential U.S.-Brazil ethanol accord. Iowa Senator Charles Grassley says he welcomes the President’s efforts to increase ethanol consumption through a partnership with Brazil because “God only made so much oil.” However, he said “We want to welcome it from a standpoint that United States taxpayers are not subsidizing competition,” which he says …
Protecting Ethanol Technology
Ethanol industry leader Broin Companies is going to court to protect its proprietary technology. According to an Argus (SD) Leader article, the Sioux Falls company filed a federal lawsuit last week alleging that two employees of a Broin-affiliated ethanol plant in central Iowa learned confidential information and trade secrets about its ethanol production methods. Then, the lawsuit alleges, the Iowa …
Yes and No to Brazil Deal
The Renewable Fuels Association says yes to promoting a global ethanol market, but no to allowing Brazil to benefit from the U.S. tax credit for ethanol. RFA President Bob Dinneen issued the following statement regarding President Bush’s upcoming meeting with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva concerning a hemispheric partnership to expand ethanol production. “Expanding the marketplace for ethanol …
Let the Market Sort it Out
To anyone concerned about high grain prices, the impact of biofuels on the livestock industry, or whether we will have enough corn to meet all needs, Dean Kleckner has just one message: “Let the market sort it out.” Kleckner is the chairman of Truth About Trade & Technology, an industry group that is pro-trade and pro-biotechnology. He is also a …
Indy Founder Named Family Farmer Friend
Indianapolis Motor Speedway CEO and Indy Racing League founder Tony George received the inaugural Friend of the Family Farmer Award during opening ceremonies of the National Farmers Union annual convention March 3 in Orlando, Fla. The honor recognizes those outside of agriculture who are contributing to the livelihoods of America’s family farmers and ranchers, according to National Farmers Union President …
Forum Focuses on Energy
The theme was Agriculture at the Crossroads — Energy, Farm & Rural Policy and it was obvious that energy was the headliner at USDA’s 2007 Outlook Forum last week. The plenary session of the Forum featured some of the top names in agribusiness – ADM CEO Patricia Woertz, Cargill president Greg Page and CHS president John Johnson, together with Red …
Classic Flex Fuel Vehicles
National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition is just one of several ethanol-related exhibitors at the 2007 Commodity Classic in Tampa this week. Staff members Michelle Kautz and Haley Wansing were giving away t-shirts to growers who signed up at the booth to receive regular e-mail updates from the organization. Greg Krissek of ICM is NEVC’s Chairman of the Board and he was …
Vision 2020
Biofuels will play a major role in the soybean industry for the next 10 to 15 years under the United Soybean Board’s Soy 2020 released Friday morning at the Commodity Classic in Tampa, Florida. The objective of Soy 2020 was to “create a vision for the future of U.S. soybeans that would be a complete collaboration and that would ultimately …
Branding Program Gains Momentum
The ethanol industry is making progress towards the goal of helping consumers readily identify ethanol-enhanced fuel at the pump no matter where they are in the country. Seven states – Kansas, Michigan, Illinois, South Dakota, Nebraska, Arkansas and Ohio – have now officially approved labels that incorporate the “e” brand to mark pumps that dispense E10, or ten percent ethanol …