The first Merle Anderson award presented by the American Coalition for Ethanol after the passing of its founder was one of Merle’s good friends, Owen Jones. “Merle Anderson was my mentor,” said Jones as he accepted the award from past ACE president Lars Herseth. “I am truly humbled.” Jones is a farmer first, and became interested in ethanol as an …
Ethanol Industry Loses Pioneer Merle Anderson
Back in 1987, a man by the name of Merle Anderson saw the need for a grassroots organization to support a new use for corn that would help farmers as well as the entire country. His vision became the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) and members of the organization are celebrating Merle’s long and wonderful life this week at the …
2018 ACE Conference Kicks Off
The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) kicked off its 31st annual conference at the Renaissance Depot Hotel in Minneapolis discussing some of the challenges and opportunities facing the industry. The theme of the 2018 conference is “Grit Wins” and ACE CEO Brian Jennings commended attendees for staying strong in the face of attacks oil refiners have launched on ethanol this …
Grassley Has “Good Discussion” with EPA’s Wheeler
Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) had a chance to sit down with EPA Acting Administrator Andrew Wheeler while he was in Iowa this week. “There seems to be a real message from the White House to Wheeler to do something for E15 twelve months a year,” said Grassley. “But there has to be something also done for refineries so I think …
Record Corn and Soybean Forecasts
A record high soybean crop and overall corn yield are expected this year, according to the latest Crop Production report from USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Up 4 percent from 2017, soybean production is forecast at a record 4.59 billion bushels, while corn growers are expected to decrease their production slightly from last year, forecast at 14.6 billion bushels. Average …
EPA’s Wheeler Talks RFS with Farmers in Iowa
Acting EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler got a taste of the famous Iowa State Fair Monday as the guest of Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds and while he had some fun, Wheeler was there to meet with farmers about critical issues. “I enjoyed the round table we just had with different ag groups in the state…hearing what their concerns and problems are,” …
Ads for E15 Greet EPA Boss in Iowa
Radio and print advertising urging EPA to “make good on the President’s promise and approve E15 fuel use year-round” are greeting Acting Administrator Andrew Wheeler this week during his visit to Iowa. The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) is running an ad campaign this week on two top Des Moines radio stations, WHO-AM and KIOA-FM. One of the ads notes that …
Acting EPA Administrator in Iowa This Week
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, along with Congressman David Young and Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig, are hosting Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Acting Administrator Andrew Wheeler at the Iowa State Fair today (Monday) to talk biofuels and farming. Wheeler was invited to visit Iowa and hear from those impacted by attacks on the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). “I look forward …
Novozymes Sees 14% Increase in Bioenergy Segment
So far this year, organic sales for Novozymes are up four percent with the bioenergy segment of the company leading the way, up 14 percent, according to the company’s second quarter financial report. “Enzyme sales for conventional biofuels continue to benefit from our broad technology base and innovative product portfolio,” said Tina Sejersgård Fanø, Executive Vice President, Agriculture & Bioenergy. …
Sneller to Retire from Nebraska Ethanol Board
Todd Sneller is retiring as administrator of the Nebraska Ethanol Board after more than 40 years of service with the state of Nebraska, effective September 14. Sneller started his career in 1976 as a staff assistant with the Agriculture Products Industrial Utilization Committee, now the Nebraska Ethanol Board. He left for a brief period from 1978 to spring 1979 to …