Winner of American Ethanol 200 Presented by Enogen

Chuck Zimmerman

The winner of the 2015 American Ethanol 200 presented by Enogen is Erik Jones. This is his fifth victory in 26 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races and first in 2015. The photo is Erik’s team along with the folks from Syngenta/Enogen. The winner’s circle is THE place to be! In my photo album I’ve got over 300 photos from …

Agribusiness, biofuels, corn, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Syngenta

RFA Names New Communications Director

John Davis

A man with a professional background in ag communications is the new communications director for the Renewable Fuels Association. The group says Tony Jackson, a former Director of External Affairs for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency and counsel for the U.S. House Agriculture Committee, is also a graduate of Boston College Law School. “We are thrilled to …

Agribusiness, communications, Ethanol, Ethanol News, RFA

Syngenta Works with Iowa FFA for Ethanol

John Davis

Syngenta is partnering up with Iowa FFA chapters to support ethanol. This company news release says the developer of the corn ethanol feedstock Enogen will be at the American Ethanol 200 with the FFA members to raise money and awareness for flex fuels – and the farm group. The American Ethanol 200 is a 200-lap NASCAR Camping World Truck Series …

Ag group, Agribusiness, Ethanol, Ethanol News

Corn Growers Urge Comments on RFS

John Davis

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has opened the public comment period on its proposal to cut corn ethanol in the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) by nearly 4 billion gallons. That’s prompting the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) to urge farmers and their family and friends to email their opposition to this proposal as soon as possible, before the July 27 …

Ag group, Agribusiness, corn, EPA, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Government, NCGA, RFS

Save the Date – MN Biodiesel & Bioheat Forum

Joanna Schroeder

Save the date for the Biodiesel and Bioheat Forum taking place August 19, 2015 in Mankato, Minnesota. States up and down the East Coast have ventured into new markets and uses for biodiesel that offer significant potential for Minnesota and U.S. soybean farmers as well as the entire biodiesel industry. One market includes the Bioheat market – nearly 6.2 million …

Agribusiness, Biodiesel, biofuels, Soybeans

Neb Governor Ricketts On Global Biofuels Tour

Joanna Schroeder

Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts has been spending the past few weeks on a global agriculture and biofuels promotion tour. Ricketts attended Expo Milano 2015 last week and while there, he visited the “Sustainable Farm Pavilion” sponsored by New Holland where with a group that included CNH Industrial discussed Nebraska’s ethanol industry. CNH Industrial operates a Combine Center of Excellence in …

Agribusiness, biofuels, Distillers Grains, Ethanol, Renewable Energy

Camelina Offers Dual-Crop Possibility for Biodiesel

John Davis

Camelina could help end the food-versus-fuel debate for biodiesel. This article from the American Society of Agronomy says that new research found that growing camelina with soybeans in the Upper Midwest has promising signs. Russ Gesch, a plant physiologist with the USDA Soil Conservation Research Lab in Morris, Minnesota, found encouraging results when growing Camelina sativa with soybean in the …

Agribusiness, Biodiesel, food and fuel, Soybeans

Michigan Winery Goes Solar

Joanna Schroeder

The largest solar agribusiness installation at a winery, Chateau Chantal Winery & Inn, is now online after a ceremonious flip of the switch by Michigan U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow. “Michigan IS a leader in renewable energy,” staid U.S. Senator Stabenow. “Make, grow and innovate – that’s what we do best in Michigan.” The 148.5 kW Harvest Energy Solutions solar installation …

Agribusiness, Clean Energy, Electricity, Renewable Energy, Solar

USDA Restarts Biomass Crop Program

Joanna Schroeder

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has restarted the Biomass Crop Assistance Program that provides financial assistance to farmers, ranchers and forest landowners interested in growing and harvesting biomass for renewable energy. According to USDA, financial assistance is available through BCAP for costs associated with harvesting and transporting agriculture or forest residues to facilities that convert biomass crops into energy. …

advanced biofuels, Agribusiness, biomass, Renewable Energy

Report: Farmers Can Grow Food, Fuel

Joanna Schroeder

According to research conducted by Russ Gesch, a plant physiologist with the USDA Soil Conversation Research Lab in Morris, Minnesota, farmers can successfully and sustainably grow food and fuel. Gesch specifically looked at growing Camelina sativa with soybeans in the Midwest. Gesch’s study was recently published in Agronomy Journal. Camelina is a member of the mustard family and research shows …

advanced biofuels, Agribusiness, Research