The future of using corn stover for advanced biofuels was one of the discussion topics at last week’s Corn Utilization Technology Conference in Indianapolis. Nathan Mosier with the Department of Agricultural & Biological Engineering at Purdue University, told the conference that the corn refining industry has done a great job of using the corn kernel to create various value-added products. …
Producers Discuss Life After VEETC at the 2012 FEW
The general session panel was a highlight for many Monday morning at the 28th Annual International Fuel Ethanol Workshop. Tom Bryan, Vice President BBI International, served as the moderator for the group with panelists Mark Marquis, President and General Manager Marquis Energy Inc., Ray Defenbaugh, President and CEO Big River Resources, Randy Doyal, CEO Al-Corn Clean Fuels and Walt Wendland, …
14 POET Plants Producing Voila
POET is off and running with the installation and production of Voilà, its branded corn oil that is used to produce biodiesel. Fourteen plants have installed the technology increasing annual production capacity to nearly 235 million pounds per year. This is enough corn oil to produce nearly 31 million gallons of biodiesel. Voilà technology was first installed in January 2011 at …
Cellulosic Ethanol From Corn Kernels
Researchers at the National Corn-to-Ethanol Research Center (NCERC) recently announced the successful production of ethanol from the cellulosic portion of the corn kernel. “This research is demonstrated proof of the viability of ‘generation 2.0 ethanol,’” NCERC Director John Caupert said. “By utilizing existing technologies readily available in the commercial marketplace, the Center was able to produce a biofuel that builds …
Congressmen Defend Ethanol
Members of Congress are exchanging dueling fact sheets about corn ethanol and the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS2). Congressman Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) sent an email last month to members of the House Commerce, and Agriculture and Energy Committees calling the RFS “a de facto mandate for corn ethanol” and urging members of the House Commerce, and Agriculture and Energy Committees to …
USDA Offers Optimistic Outlook for Corn Crop
The first U.S. Department of Agriculture outlook for this year’s corn crop is calling for record yields and record production, while corn use for ethanol is expected to remain the same. The May 10 World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report projects U.S. feed grain supplies for 2012/13 at a record 416.3 million tons, up 16 percent from 2011/12 at …
Corn Utilization Agenda Includes Biofuels and Refineries
Since it is an even-numbered year, that means the National Corn Growers Association’s Corn Utilization and Technology Conference (CUTC) will be held this year. The 2012 CUTC agenda features cutting-edge technologies and new uses that are positioned change the corn industry. Among the session topics is Advance Biofuels, which will highlight some of the most recent research on advanced biofuels. …
Corn Progress Running Ahead of Normal
Nationwide, over 70% of the corn crop is planted now, well ahead of the less than half average for this time of year, according to the latest report from USDA. “In spite of the wettest weather of the spring, producers in the Midwest still managed to plant a significant acreage of corn and soybeans” last week, says USDA Meteorologist Brad …
NCGA Ethanol Rocks Video Contest
A little ethanol on the rocks kind of rocks my world sometimes. But Ethanol Rocks is actually a National Corn Growers Association video contest :). NCGA is conducting a nationwide competition to promote the advantages of ethanol in motor vehicles. The NCGA “Ethanol Rocks” Video Contest invites high school and college students to produce a promotional video that highlights the …
Planting Corn
Our latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “With all of the discussion on projected corn acres this year, how many acres of corn do you expect to plant this year?” A full third of respondents said More than 2,000 acres. That was followed by less than 200 acres at 27%; 200-500 acres at 23%; 1,501-2,000 at 7%; 1,001-1,500 at 7% and …