The Iowa Corn Promotion Board is one step closer to expanding the corn market after receiving a new patent application on a proprietary production method using corn in the industrial manufacturing of monoethylene glycol (MEG). Most MEG is produced from fossil fuels, with the exception of some bio-MEG made from sugarcane ethanol and sourced from Brazil. Consumers are driving a …
Perdue Hopes For RFS Resolution
It’s been a long and busy year for Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue, but here at the end he is still short-staffed at USDA and could use some help from Santa to get the job done. “I had no idea we would be delayed like this and it’s unfortunate,” said Sec. Perdue in a recent interview with Iowa Agribusiness Network‘s …
Basse Bullish on Biofuels
Even if volume obligations for biofuels under the Renewable Fuel Standard are mostly stagnant or lower in 2018, agricultural economist Dan Basse of AgResource Company is bullish on growth in the sector next year. One reason is lower prices for corn, which is helping expand ethanol production plans. The other is the restriction of biodiesel imports from Argentina and Indonesia, …
Missouri Farm Bureau Listening Session on #FarmBill18
The Missouri Farm Bureau held their annual meeting earlier this week and a highlight for many was the discussion on the 2018 Farm Bill. In a packed house, a Focus on the Farm Bill Seminar took place with Capitol Hill decision makers and thought-leaders in Missouri agriculture. Panelists: – Ranking Member House Ag Committee, Congressman Collin Peterson – Missouri Congresswoman …
EPA Administrator Shows Support for RFS
The administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency met with farmers and biofuels producers in Iowa on Friday to show his support for agriculture and the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Administrator Scott Pruitt was a guest of livestock producers and ethanol supporters Bill and Nancy Couser on their farm in Nevada, Iowa. Since the visit came just one day after EPA …
NBB Optimistic Despite Disappointing Biodiesel RVOs
Members of the National Biodiesel Board meeting in Washington D.C. this week were disappointed that EPA failed to increase the biomass-based diesel volumes under the Renewable Fuels Standard, but optimistic about the future for the industry. “We think it’s a missed opportunity, we’re disappointed,” said NBB chief operating officer Doug Whitehead, adding that they will continue to work with the …
Secretary Perdue Comments on RVO Numbers
During a visit to the Agricultural Retailers Association conference and expo in Phoenix on Thursday, Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue was asked to comment on the final Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) renewable volume obligations (RVOs) for 2018. The Secretary noted that the requirement for conventional renewable fuels like corn ethanol is capped at 15 billion gallons, so that’s as high …
Biofuels Industry Reacts to Final RVO Numbers
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released today its final Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) renewable volume obligations (RVOs) for 2018. The agency finalized a total renewable fuel volume of 19.29 billion gallons, including 4.29 billion advanced biofuel – a slight increase from the proposal – and 288 million gallons of cellulosic biofuel. The agency maintained the requirement for conventional renewable fuels …
Biodiesel Advocates Storming the Hill
With EPA set to release final volume obligations under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), and Congress back at work on tax legislation, this week is a perfect time for members of the National Biodiesel Board (NBB) to put biodiesel on the front burner in Washington D.C. Nearly 100 NBB members are storming the Hill to talk with lawmakers about the …
Understanding the Farmers of Tomorrow
OsbornBarr has rounded up ag thought-leaders from across the country to discuss and tackle issues impacting the agricultural community. The first challenge they collectively believe is imperative is understanding farmers of tomorrow. Chairman of the newly formed O+B Agricultural Advisory Council, Richard Fordyce, former Missouri Director of Agriculture, attended the 2017 National Association of Farm Broadcasting’s Trade Talk to talk …