As the cellulosic industry gets closer to bringing cellulosic ethanol to market, there have been some concerns regarding how biomass harvesting will affect soil health and yields. These very issues were discussed by Dr. Stuart Birrell a professor at Iowa State University, whom with his team, have been studying soil sustainability as it relates to biomass harvesting. His latest research …
Largest Global Cellulosic Biomass Harvest Underway
The largest global cellulosic biomass harvest in history is underway and already the world is watching. Last week, Project Liberty kicked off their one-year biomass harvest pilot program as an effort to ensure all the correct logistics are in place in time for Project Liberty to go online in early 2012. During the event, I caught up with Scott Weishaar, …
Corn Growers Stress Ethanol Efficiency Gains
Recent studies show the significant efficiencies spurred by growth and development in the ethanol industry, according to the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA). “As we see it, this is just the tip of the iceberg,” said NCGA First Vice President Bart Schott. “Ethanol has proven to be an advantageous green alternative to foreign and ecologically precarious sources of petroleum. These …
Iowa Flooding Will Not Significantly Affect Corn Harvest
Last week,USDA announced as part of their August numbers that they believe corn farmers will achieve a record crop again this year. The expectation for harvest is 13.37 billion bushels, a 2 percent increase from the final 2009 harvest numbers. However, the report, that reports a month behind, did not account for the widespread rain and flooding in the state …
USDA Predicts Record Corn Crop
In the latest forecast issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), corn farmers are on track for a record corn crop and yield per acre for this year. The numbers are estimated to surpass the records set in 2009. USDA expects farmers to harvest 13.37 billion bushels, 2 percent larger than in 2009. They are also projecting 165 bushels …
ACE Honors Corn Growers for Ethanol Promotion
The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) honored corn growers for their efforts in promoting ethanol at the 23rd Annual Ethanol Conference and Trade Show in Kansas City this week. The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) and 11 corn grower states were recognized by ACE with the “Paul Dana Marketing Vision Award” for their support in making the BYOEthanol campaign possible. …
ACE Update on Ethanol Blender Pumps
One year ago at the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) conference in Milwaukee, the BYO Ethanol campaign was launched as a joint effort between corn-producing states, ACE, and the Renewable Fuels Association with the goal of installing more blender pumps nationwide. Today that effort is more important than ever as the industry is face to face with the 10 percent …
The Economics of Ethanol from Corn Cobs
Producing a significant amount of ethanol strictly from corn cobs is possible but would require a specific set of circumstances to be economically feasible, according to a new report from Purdue University researchers. In the report “The Economics of Harvesting Corn Cobs for Energy,” Matthew Erickson and Wallace Tyner found that factors such as corn yield, farm size, harvesting equipment …
Cane and Corn Ethanol Updates
The sugarcane harvest in Brazil is running ahead of schedule and the U.S. corn crop is progressing well, according to the latest reports. The cane crush in Brazil so far this year is running about 20 percent ahead of last year, which is not necessarily good news according to the Brazilian Sugarcane Industry Association’s (UNICA). Technical Director Antonio de Padua …
Ethanol and Corn Groups Call for Increase to E12
Three major farmer and ethanol groups today called on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to formally approve the use of E12 (12% ethanol) in the nation’s gasoline supply. The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE), National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) and the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) sent a joint letter to EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson saying, “based on the EPA’s delay …