Colorado Corn Growers Association (CCGA) is tired of the myth that corn ethanol is not energy efficient. So much so that they have launched a state-wide video contest. Budding producers are asked to create a 30 or 60 second video that promotes the truth about ethanol. The winner could win a $600 grand prize and his or her mini-film could …
Corn Crop Lower But Ethanol Stays Steady
Corn production for this year was cut by four percent in the latest forecast out this morning from USDA, a bigger drop than expected by the industry. Corn production is now forecast at 12.7 billion bushels, down 3 percent from last year’s record production of 13.1 billion bushels. Yields are now expected to average 155.8 bushels per acre, down 6.7 …
NCGA President Says DDGS Sales Conference Critical
One of the attendees I spoke with this morning at the Export Exchange 2010 conference is the President/CEO of the National Corn Growers Association, Rick Tolman. I asked Rick what he thought about the conference and its importance to the industry. Rick says it’s critically important and that the DDGS export market is one of the bright spots in the …
The Business of Grain Trade and DDGS
This morning the Export Exchange 2010 program got started in earnest with opening remarks from Tom Dorr, USGC President/CEO. He says we have nearly 500 attendees from 33 countries. The proceedings will be translated into 7 languages. Tom says that the opportunity to trade across borders helps to improve lives. That opportunity needs to be done in a transparent way …
VeraSun Creditors Drop Corn Repayment Suit
Back in August, dozens of corn growers who sold corn to bankrupt VeraSun plants across the country in 2008 received letters asking them to repay the money. Should the farmer not comply, the letters threatened to take legal action but stipulated that they would accept payment to 80 percent of what the farmer received for their corn sales to VeraSun. …
USDA: US Ethanol Production More Efficient than Ever
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) says ethanol production is more efficient than ever. In an interview with USDA radio, Harry Baumes, Director of USDA’s Office of Energy Policy and New Uses says a new study shows that we’re getting more energy out of corn than what it takes to raise the feedstock and make the green fuel. One reason …
2 Days Left to Register for Export Exchange
Export Exchange 2010 is 10 days away but it’s not too late to register. You have two days to take advantage of pre-registration for the event which will connect DDGs (dried distillers grains) and course grain buyers with domestic sellers. Export Exchange is being held in Chicago and will be the place to get answers, make contacts and build your …
Opportunites for Biorefineries Symposium Just Around the Corner
The Center for Advanced BioEnergy Research (CABER), part of the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences at the University of Illinois, is hosting a symposium on Near-term Opportunities for Biorefineries on October 11-12, 2010. Among the topics discussed will be the impact of technology improvements and utilization of value-added co-products of corn ethanol production. Attendees will also learn about …
All You Need To Know About U.S. Ethanol Subsidies
Ever wonder what would happen if the ethanol subsidy disappeared? Well, today UNICA answers that question in their new video, “All I Need to Know About U.S. Ethanol Subsidies,” that explains to taxpayers how Congress could save them $6 billion per year and help lower prices at the pump. For consumers to reap these savings, all lawmakers have to do …
Second Look at USDA Ethanol Energy Balance Report
A report released by USDA in June on the energy balance of ethanol plants is getting a second look this week, thanks to a post on the USDA blog. The second look is well deserved, since the report, titled “2008 Energy Balance for the Corn Ethanol Industry,” got less coverage than it deserves when it was first released. The findings …