The International Farm Management Association (IFMA) was not kidding when it came up with its concept for the second Congress ever held in the U.S. Conference planners have woven the theme of “Food, Fiber and Energy” throughout the past few days of the Congress. However, it may surprise a few of the international delegates to learn their transportation is also …
Efficient Irrigation Can Improve Biofuels ROI
Lindsay Corporation, maker of Zimmatic® irrigation systems, has produced a new biofuels brochure called “Improving Biofuel ROI Through Efficient Irrigation Solutions.” The eight-page full-color brochure includes information on key biofuel crops, the benefits of biofuels, market growth opportunities for biofuels, and irrigation management recommendations to help growers optimize the yield, size distribution and quality of biofuel crops. “Several factors are …
Synthetic Biology for Next-Generation Biofuels
The 2009 World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology and Bioprocessing, is in full swing in Montreal, Quebec, Canada and I had the opportunity to listen in to a webinar sponsored by the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO). The session focused on the technical and commercial advances in the use of synthetic biology for next-generation biofuels. Four companies participated in the panel and …
Researchers: Biofuels Can Be Beneficial
A group of researchers, many from Princeton University, say that biofuels can solve many of the problems related to non-renewable fossil fuels… without creating more problems of their own. This article from Princeton says the key is making the green fuels from sustainable sources: “The world needs to replace fossil fuels with renewable energy, but recent research findings have thrown …
Rabobank Launches Renewable Energy Finance Team
It appears that some of the concern over the difficulty to secure financing for biofuels projects may be a worry of the past. Rabobank recently established a Renewable Energy and Infrastructure Finance (REIF) team in the Americas. Tomas Emmons has been selected to head the department with teams in Europe, Asia and now New York. Also in the states, the …
Florida Farm to Fuel Summit Registrations Up
Organizers of the 2009 Florida Farm to Fuel® Summit report that registrations for the event on July 29-31 are running ahead of last year. The fourth annual summit will feature addresses by Florida Governor Charlie Crist, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Charles Bronson, USDA Under Secretary Dallas Tonsager, “Fuel” documentary producer Josh Tickell, and many others. There will also be a …
Exxon to Invest Millions in Biofuels
Despite the widely publicized “moonshine” remark a few years ago by Exxon’s chairman and chief executive, Rex W. Tillerson, the company has spent several years exploring various fuel alternatives, according to one of its top research officials. “We literally looked at every option we could think of, with several key parameters in mind,” said Emil Jacobs, vice president for research …
Missouri Could Be Wind, Biofuels & Biomass Center
A new report says Missouri could become a real center for wind power, biomass, biogas and other sources of renewable energy, while creating thousands of jobs and more tax revenues, especially in rural areas of the state. This story in the St. Louis Business Journal says the Natural Resources Defense Council report points out that Missourians spend more than $18 …
EPAC Conference a Success
Fuel, Food and the Future, the 19th annual national Ethanol Producers and Consumers (EPAC) sponsored Biofuel Conference was recently held at the Best Western Grantree Inn, in Bozeman, MT. This educational conference featured many educated speakers who addressed attendees on biofuels and feedstock. “EPAC was formed to educate, and this was another great opportunity for learning and networking,” said Shirley …