According to a new study from Colorado State University (CSU) in collaboration with the University of Illinois, using grasses to produce biofuels is a more economical and environmental better option than using corn. Led by CSU research scientist William Parton, his research team found using grass species, such as switchgrass, in the same land area as used to grow corn …
Industry Questions Ethanol Hearing Witness List
The House Committee on Science, Space and Technology’s Subcommittee on Energy and Environment is holding a hearing today on “examining the science” of 15% ethanol in fuel, but the corn ethanol industry is questioning the list of witnesses, which appears to be somewhat lopsided. “The Environmental Protection Agency has been thorough in its work on the E15 waiver request and …
Corn Growers Proud to Promote American Ethanol
At the 2011 Fuel Ethanol Workshop last week, the CEO of the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) accepted an award for promoting the advancement of ethanol on behalf of the corn industry as a whole. “It’s more of an award for the people that I work with, the farmers, our leaders, our great staff, the state groups,” said Rick Tolman …
SDSU Helping to Improve Ethanol Plant Efficiency
South Dakota State University (SDSU) is helping to improve the efficiency of ethanol plants. The SDSU Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Department recently invested in small scale, corn milling and ethanol processing equipment to let ethanol plant mangers test process adjustments in order to optimize efficiency. “This small equipment allows them to test small adjustments and see how they work without …
Pioneer DPP Goes Mobile
Pioneer was demonstrating the new mobile app for their Dynamic Pricing Platform during the just concluded 2011 International Fuel Ethanol Workshop. I spoke with Steve Crowe, Pioneer Business Manager, Biofuels about the new method of interacting with your DPP account. That’s his iPhone in the photo in front of the monitor showing the desktop version. Steve says that smartphones have …
IRL Moving To E85 In 2012
The CEO of the Indy Racing League is Randy Bernard, seen shaking hands with Iowa Corn Growers CEO, Craig Floss, during last weekend’s Iowa Corn Indy 250 activities. I spoke with Randy who says that the League has been working to create a lot more buzz and excitement this year. Judging by the sell out crowd for the Iowa race, …
USDA Finds More Corn Acres Than Expected
The new planted acreage report from USDA shows more corn than most anyone expected, given the wet spring weather that delayed planting in many areas. According to USDA, corn planted area for this year is now estimated at 92.3 million acres, up 5 percent from last year. That’s more than growers expected to plant back in March and the second …
NCGA CEO Receives FEW High Octane Award
At the beginning of this morning’s opening session of the Fuel Ethanol Workshop, Rick Tolman, CEO, National Corn Growers Association, was presented the High Octane Award by Tom Bryan, BBI International. I will post Rick’s comments later this morning after this plenary session. Our morning session includes a conversation between NASCAR CEO Brian France and Growth Energy CEO Tom Buis. …
Marco Andretti Wins Iowa Corn Indy 250
In an American corn ethanol fueled race at Iowa Speedway, Marco Andretti wins the 2011 Iowa Corn Indy 250. Here he is in Victory Lane with leaders of the Iowa Corn Growers. Following Victory Lane Marco and his Dad, Michael Andretti, held the winners press conference. I asked him his thoughts on racing in front of 2,500 corn growers and …
Green Flag For Iowa Corn Indy 250
The fifth running of the Iowa Corn Indy 250 is underway and has been an exciting race so far. Here’s the green flag being waved by Iowa Corn Growers Association President Dean Taylor. Once again this year Mindy Larson Poldberg, Director of Govt. Relations for the Iowa Corn Growers sang the National Anthem during the pre-race activities. I’ve recorded that …