Food and Fuel Forum in KC

Cindy Zimmerman

The Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City is holding a forum on Food and Fuel next month to examine the challenges and opportunities of meeting food and fuel demands. The forum will feature both agricultural and food business leaders, including representatives from the National Corn Growers Association, Missouri Farm Bureau, the American Bakers Association, and the Food and Agricultural Organization. …

Agribusiness, corn, food and fuel, NCGA

Alliance Targets Lawmakers for Education Efforts

Cindy Zimmerman

The Alliance for Abundant Food and Energy is out to inform the nation’s policy makers that American agriculture is fully capable of producing both food and fuel with no trade off. The alliance was formed in July and includes Archer Daniels Midland, DuPont, John Deere, Monsanto, and the Renewable Fuels Association. ADM Vice President for Government Relations Greg Webb says …

Agribusiness, Ethanol, politics

Ethanol at AgNite

Cindy Zimmerman

Ethanol was showcased to Republican National Convention goers this week during an event sponsored by the Minnesota Agri-Growth Council. The Renewable Fuels Association and Minnesota’s ethanol producers joined together to be one of the sponsors of AgNite, a non-partisan event to celebrate the food, agriculture and biofuel industries of the state and nation. The event was held in the historic …

Agribusiness, corn, EPIC, Ethanol, News, RFA

Ethanol to be Featured at RNC AgNite

Cindy Zimmerman

The Minnesota Agri-Growth Council is hosting a celebration of America’s food, agriculture and energy industries during the second night of the Republican National Convention in the Twin Cities. AgNite is a non-partisan event independent from the RNC being coordinated by the council with the help of numerous sponsors, including the ethanol industry under the auspices of the Renewable Fuels Association. …

Agribusiness, EPIC, Ethanol, News, politics, RFA

Analyst Calls Food Versus Fuel a “Sound Bite”

Cindy Zimmerman

Analysts with a major agricultural financial institution say alternative fuels are just one of the many factors causing higher food prices. Karol Aure-Flynn, executive director of the Rabobank Food & Agribusiness Research and Advisory department, says “food versus fuel” is basically a misleading sound bite. “The fallacy of the headline is that there is a direct competition between the two; …

Agribusiness, Ethanol, Food prices, News

Driving Agricultural Productivity

Chuck Zimmerman

Monsanto was represented at this morning’s ethanol press conference at the Iowa Speedway by Troy Hobbs, Corn Biofuels Strategy Lead. He started his comments explaining that the company’s mission is to drive productivity in the agricultural sector. He spoke to how quickly they’ve been able to increase the per acre yield in corn with their research on seed and traits. …

Agribusiness, Audio, corn, EPIC, Ethanol, Indy Racing, News

Pioneer Sponsors Iowa Corn Indy 250 Again

Chuck Zimmerman

Pioneer Hi-Bred is sponsoring the Iowa Corn Indy 250 again this year and I spoke to Russ Sanders, Marketing Director, about how the company is involved. He’s pictured here (left) with Team Ethanol driver, Ryan Hunter-Reay and EPIC Director of Communications, Joanna Schroeder. Russ says that the company sees a great opportunity in the biofuels arena and their participation in …

Agribusiness, Audio, EPIC, Ethanol, Indy Racing, News, Video

Ag Leaders Challenge Ethanol Myths

Cindy Zimmerman

Leaders of five major agricultural organizations and the head of the Renewable Fuels Association joined together Wednesday to try and dispel many of the accusations that have been levied against biofuels in recent months and emphasize the positive contributions of ethanol in particular. “Instead of using ethanol as a scapegoat for increased food prices, we should be having a discussion …

Agribusiness, corn, Ethanol, Food prices, News

Iowa State Study Finds Ethanol Lowers Fuel Prices

John Davis

Claims that ethanol production drives up gas prices don’t hold up after a study from Iowa State University. ISU’s Center for Agricultural and Rural Development has taken a look at the impact of ethanol production on U.S. and regional gas prices and found that ethanol production actually lowers prices at the pump. Using pooled regional time-series data and panel data …

Agribusiness, Ethanol, News

EPIC Speaks Out Against Ethanol Scapegoating

John Davis

The Ethanol Promotion and Information Council has gathered data from multiple sources that debunk claims that America’s renewable fuels are a large player in soaring food prices. Toni Nuernberg, the Executive Director of EPIC wants to spread the word that changing the nation’s renewable fuels standard is not the answer to driving down global food costs. Recent calls to reduce …

Agribusiness, corn, E85, Energy, EPIC, Ethanol, Food prices, Government, News