At their annual meeting last week in Chicago, the GROWMARK system reported record sales of $8.5 billion for 2010-2011, with the 2nd highest net income ever at $182 million.. Chairman of the board Dan Kelley, an Illinois grain farmer, says it has been a very good year for GROWMARK and agriculture in general. “Agriculture has been one of the stellar …
Biofuels Production Continues to Climb
According to the Worldwatch Institute, despite a struggling global economy, biofuel use continues to climb. In 2010, global biofuel production increased 17 percent and reached an all-time high of 105 billion liters, up from 90 billion litres in 2009. The increase in biofuel production has been driven by several factors including high oil prices, a global economic rebound and new …
Growth Energy Offers Retailers Flex Fuel Kits
As more retailers are considering adding the addition of E85, a blend of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline, they can look to the ethanol industry for support. Growth Energy is now offering retailers a complimentary flex fuel promotion kit that includes: · Pump topper · Nozzle talkers · Decals to educate motorists on mid-level ethanol blends · New …
6th Process Optimization Seminar Nears Sell Out
Back by popular demand, the 6th Process Optimization Seminar will take place on September 28-29, 2011 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. To date, more than 120 ethanol plants have participated and 300 plus people have been trained. I was able to speak with Tom Slunecka, the VP of Marketing for Phibro Ethanol Performance Group this morning, one of the founders of the …
RFA: Ethanol Lowers GHG Emissions
In the third installation of RFA Vice President of Research, Geoff Cooper’s series on ethanol plant improvements, he highlights how improvements in farming practices and ethanol efficiency have allowed greater productivity and cost efficiencies. He explained that in 2008-2010, the ethanol industry was producing nearly 440 gallons of ethanol per acre, a 50 percent improvement over the average from just …
New E85 Station Opens in Stuart, Florida
Just in time for Labor Day travel (I will be one of those millions of travelers but I will be using ethanol) a new E85 station has opened in Planet Ozone at 1601 S.E. Federal Hwy. in Stuart, Florida. The new pump was opened in partnership with Protec Fuel. E85, a blend of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline, …
Corn for Ethanol Predicted to Stall
According to an article in Agrimoney, growth in U.S. corn ethanol production is expected to stall due to reduced predictions on this year’s corn harvest along with the fact the industry has basically reached the blend wall. Also a factor has been record high corn prices which have already caused a few plants to stop production. Goldman Sachs has estimated …
IRFA Calls for Texas Gov. To Oppose E15 Ban
Last week during the Ethanol Conference in Des Moines, Iowa, the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) was given an award for its work on promoting ethanol. Their work continues this week as the association sent a letter to Texas Governor and presidential candidate Rick Perry, to oppose Congressional efforts to ban E15, a blend of 15 percent ethanol and 85 …
Missouri Leads in Ethanol Blender Pump Plans
Missouri has been recognized by the U.S. Department of Agriculture as the leader in ethanol blender pumps. During the Missouri State Fair, an official from USDA’s Rural Development agency paid a visit to recognize Missouri as the national leader in renewable energy. Through a partnership with the Missouri Corn Merchandising Council (MCMC), the Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives and the …
Ethanol & FFV’s Promoted During State Fair
Today marks the first day of the 142nd Nebraska State Fair and the Nebraska Corn Board along with the Nebraska Ethanol Board (NEB) are on site to promote ethanol and flex fuel vehicles. The two associations have booths set up in the Exhibition Building to focus on ethanol education. The groups are splitting duties: NEB will focus on FFV awareness …