Syngenta Corn Trait Offers Ethanol Efficiency

Cindy Zimmerman

A new corn trait from Syngenta can offer increased efficiency for ethanol plants and premiums for farmers who grow it.

Enogen corn was specifically developed for ethanol production and just fully approved by USDA in February 2011. According to David Witherspoon with Syngenta, Enogen contains alpha amylase, one of the primary enzymes used in ethanol production. “So when this corn goes to an ethanol plant, their enzymes are delivered in the corn,” he said during an interview at the 2012 Farm Progress Show.

“It helps them increase alcohol production and because it works on a broad pH and temperature range, they don’t have to use as much ammonia, or sulfuric acid or heat,” Witherspoon said. “So they get more alcohol and use less energy.”

It took about 15 years for Syngenta to get Enogen to market and this is the first year the corn trait has been grown commercially. “We have two ethanol plants signed as customers,” said Witherspoon. “We have also tested in one other plant we anticipate will sign in the next 2-3 weeks.”

The plants contract with farmers to grow the Enogen corn. “We will work to facilitate the contract and put a full time person in the field to make sure they understand the hybrids and how the contracts work,” said Witherspoon.

Mike Missman of Woden, Iowa is a seed dealer and a farmer who planted Enogen corn this year, following the program regarding the use of the seed. “The stewardship rules are strict but they’re easy to follow,” said Missman. “You just don’t want that seed to go into another field.” Missman is contracting this year with Syngenta for a trial with a local ethanol plant.

One of the plants testing Enogen is Golden Grain Energy of Mason City, Iowa and Witherspoon says they toured that plant with the Syngenta global corn team during Farm Progress Show last week. “We really want the global group to understand the importance of the RFS to farmers, it actually has an international effect,” he said. “Ethanol has actually driven profitability worldwide in corn in places where it’s not been profitable.”

Listen to my interview with Witherspoon and Missman from Farm Progress Show to learn more about Enogen: Syngenta Enogen Corn interview

Audio, corn, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Farming

Book Review – Eaarth

Joanna Schroeder

What is happening to the “Eaarth”? A question many are asking, including author Bill McKibben, as the summer brought us the worst drought in decades along with extreme heat. Many people would blame this on global climate change while others would argue that “global warming” and “weather” are actually two separate things. Well it is time we delve back into the discussion I began earlier this summer as part of my 2012 La Nina Reading List.

McKibben is a true believer in climate change, holds humans responsible and writes we’re dealing with a “spooky, erratic climate”. He writes that global warming is no longer a philosophical threat or a future threat, no longer a threat at all. It is reality. Because we no longer live on the same planet, argues McKibben, earth needs a new name: Eaarth.

The focus of his book is to turn back time, per se, to safe levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. The “safe” level according to climatologist James Hansen, is 350 parts per million – a number we have surpassed and now hover around 390 parts per million. Throughout the book, Hansen explains why lowering levels of CO2 “will be extremely hard” but offers ways “we can try”.

Why do we need to do this? Because, argues McKibben, “…the earth has changed in profound ways, ways have already taken us out of the sweet spot where humans so long thrived. We’re every day less the oasis and more the desert. The world hasn’t ended, but the world as we know it has- even if we don’t quite know it yet.”

One of the main issues he focuses on in the book is the need to replace the fossil fuel system. Other issues include the need to fix infrastructure and he posits that climate change will cause more resource wars and leave billions of people “climate change refugees”.

The book concludes with a discussion about ways to reduce impact with the main theme being things need to get smaller and less centralized. He also writes that we need to focus on maintenance not growth. In addition, McKibben writes we need global governments to have the courage to take a stand against climate change.

For those who are passionate about the environment, you know that McKibben is one of the best-known writers in the field. His latest book doesn’t disappoint – it is an interesting read. Yet he barely scratched the surface on outlining what needs to be done to live on the new Eaarth. Might that be the topic is his next book that he could call Eaarth 2.0?

book reviews, Carbon, Environment, global warming

Getting to Know POET’s New CEO

Joanna Schroeder

During the Farm Progress Show, Cindy Zimmerman had the opportunity to sit down with new POET Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Jeff Lautt. Although he has been with the company for nearly eight years, he took the helm as president two years ago and several months ago was tapped as CEO.

Lautt has taken over in a tough year for the ethanol industry as it deals with a major drought that has affected the U.S. corn crop. The main feedstock for all POET ethanol plants is corn. Lautt said the plants are doing well but they are feeling the same pains as other ethanol producers. However, he said, the bigger problem for them is not the high corn prices but access to the market. The industry is currently capped at 10 percent of the fuel market and they are working hard to get equal access in the marketplace. A first step toward this is E15 and the first two stations selling E15 in the country are located in Kansas.

Similar to others in the ethanol industry, Lautt said his company is not in favor of a waiver of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). He said that the legislation is working, the market is working, and knew-jerk decisions shouldn’t be made during a drought. Lautt noted that the RFS includes advanced biofuels, biodiesel and cellulosic fuels and implementing a waiver would not just hurt corn-based ethanol but all biofuels. He added that the industry doesn’t need a government solution.

Lautt also gave an update on Project Liberty, the company’s project to commercialize cellulosic ethanol using corn stover. One of the things they are learning right now is how to harvest the stover as well as store the stover, which may vary based on the environmental state of stover (i.e. wet, dry, etc.).

Listen to Cindy’s interview with Jeff Lautt where he also discusses some new technologies in the pipeline: Getting to Know POET's new CEO

2012 Farm Progress Show Photo Album

Audio, biofuels, Ethanol, Farm Progress Show, POET

Tom Slunecka Joins Minnesota Soybean Growers

Joanna Schroeder

Tom Slunecka has been named the new executive director for the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association (MSGA) and Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council. Prior to taking the helm of the soybean team on August 27, 2012, Slunecka was the vice president of marketing for PhibroChem where he focused on ethanol and animal agriculture. He also served as the executive director of the organization Ethanol Promotion and Information Council (EPIC).

“I am very happy to have the opportunity to work with these strong groups and look forward to the challenges and opportunities that agriculture will be faced with in the coming years,” said Slunecka, a long-time member of the biofuels and agricultural industry. “I am excited to help execute current and future research projects to bring new opportunities to Minnesota producers’ farm gate. Equally important is to continue to work with the strong leaders developing and implementing farm policies necessary to support soybean farmers’ profitability. I appreciate the opportunity to play a part in fulfilling the visions set forth by Minnesota Soybean.”

Slunecka is moving to Minnesota from Omaha and is a native of South Dakota. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Agriculture from South Dakota State University in Brookings and will bring his vast experience to the soybean industry.

“We are very happy to add a leader of the quality that Tom provides,” said MSGA President and Dodge County farmer Bruce Schmoll. “He is visionary and will help establish and achieve goals that will benefit soybean growers across Minnesota.”

Biodiesel, biofuels, Company Announcement, Soybeans

Thanks a Million Ohio

Joanna Schroeder

Ohioans who sign up to secure a low electric generation price for four to seven years have a chance to reduce their energy bills with FirstEnergy Solutions‘ Thanks a Million giveaway. Eight residential winners will each receive $25,000 and $50,000 will also go to the winner’s corresponding local school district to use for an under-funded program, supplies or however they need to use the money as long as it is for the betterment of the school. In addition, eight Ohio businesses will each win $50,000.

The contest runs through October 31, 2012 and to be eligible, a resident or business must enroll in an electric generation offer that would freeze the per kilowatt-hour (kWh) price at 6.99 cents on electric generation until 2019, or 6.49 cents per kWh until 2016. This would fix electric prices for four or seven years, helping businesses and residences budget their energy costs for the future and not have their budgets negatively impacted if electricity prices go up.

“As an Ohio-based company, FirstEnergy Solutions is committed to helping Ohio’s residents and businesses through this sluggish economy, which is why we created our Thanks a Million giveaway,” said Donald Schneider, President of FirstEnergy Solutions. “It’s a good boost to our economy and it directly benefits eight Ohio school districts with much-needed funding.”

Schneider said that today the country is seeing historically low prices in the energy market but they are not sustainable. There are signs pointing to increased costs including environmental compliance and plant retirements that will raise energy prices. By locking in electricity prices, concluded Schneider, customers could potentially see considerable saving over the long term.

Electricity, Energy

South African Mine Goes Off-Grid with Solar

Joanna Schroeder

JinkoSolar is partnering with Solea Renewables to deliver a Limpopo province chrome mine in South Africa the first off-grid utility scale photovoltaic system in the country. When completed, the 1 megawatt plant will produce an estimated 1.8 gigawatts of electricity per year and be comprised of 4,179 polycrystalline PV panels supplied by JinkoSolar. It will also reduce the mine’s daytime diesel generator use. This is part of an effort in South Africa for the country to increase the use of renewable energy as well as increase power supplies from independent producers.

“While the global demand for South African coal, platinum, palladium and chromium increases, mines and other industrial consumers face power supply constraints due to capacity challenges at Eskom. The turnkey delivery of our PV plants will not only benefit end-users, but it will in turn help reduce the ever present and increasing energy demand Eskom faces,” said Vusi Mhlanzi, Director of Solea Renewables. “We chose JinkoSolar panels for its superior performance and reliability, as seen in utility-scale installations across Asia, Europe, and Americas.”

The off-grid PV solar system is expected to be completed by late October 2012. According to Mhlanzi, the system will be a good example of how solar energy can create a “long-term hedge against all rising costs of power.”

Kangping Chen, CEO of JinkoSolar added, “We have great expectations for South Africa. The region’s booming population, strong economic growth and abundant sunlight represent an exciting opportunity for solar and for JinkoSolar. We look forward to working with Solea Renewables, an experienced EPC partner on this momentous project.”

Electricity, Energy, Solar

IRFA Renews Safety Alliance

Joanna Schroeder

The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) has renewed its safety alliance with the Iowa Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Iowa OSHA) for two years. The partnership is designed for the two organizations, through IRFA’s Safety Task Force, to explore best management practices and improve the recognition and control of workplace hazards in ethanol and biodiesel plants throughout Iowa.

“The safety alliance between IRFA and Iowa OSHA since 2009 has been mutually beneficial, and IRFA is proud to continue this working partnership for another two years,” said IRFA Biofuels Manager Grant Menke. “The regular meetings have fostered important dialogue and improved understanding between both organizations as well as fellow renewable fuels producers.

Menke continued, “While the Iowa renewable fuels industry remains proud of its safety and compliance record, we continue to strive for improvement. This safety alliance, which is open to every Iowa biodiesel and ethanol production facility, is one of the best tools we have to continue learning, communicating and getting better.”

Micheal Mauro, Iowa’s Labor Commissioner congratulated IRFA for its leadership and dedication to safety in the renewable fuels industry. “Iowa Renewable Fuels Association has made a conscious decision to make protecting workers a priority in the workplace. Their continued commitment for workers’ safety and health is a testament for other companies to follow.”

Biodiesel, biofuels, Ethanol, Iowa RFA

Book Review – Last Summer at the Compound

Joanna Schroeder

This weekend I read the fiction book “Last Summer at the Compound,” by JH Bartlett.  The story takes place outside of Boston, near the aging Pilgrim nuclear power plant with the same design as Fukushima (the plant that was hit by the tsunami). Taking place a year after the Fukushima disaster, there are fears surmounting in the community and in one of the main characters that a disaster with the plant could take place, whether by accident or design. The book ends on Labor Day weekend, so I thought it was only fitting to review the book today.

The story chronicles a multi-generation family who spends each summer near the water at the family “compound”. This summer an unsettling change is in the air and the family begins to discuss whether to sell the property or hang on. One of the most vocal family members to sell is Sarah, who is worried the nuclear power plant will be attacked or have a severe accident. She is also concerned about the spent rods that have been stored near the plant with no where to go.

On the plus side, the author does a good job of laying out the pros and cons of nuclear energy through the characters. Also through her characters she brings up the need for renewable energy and the ongoing wars that have taken place around the world for oil as well as environmental concerns as reasons to support clean energy.

On the negative side, I felt that the characters’ voices weren’t authentic enough and the end of the book was unfulfilled. I also felt like there were many missed opportunities to really explore nuclear energy and various plot lines. The story was more of a novella and it missed the opportunity to be a novel with a true, in-depth exploration of both nuclear power and family dynamics.

book reviews, Nuclear Energy

DF Cast: Debating the RFS Waiver

John Davis

The EPA has just started the 30-day comment period for a proposed waiver of the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS). And just as the comments started, the National Corn Growers Association has asked for even more time for comments to come in.

But there’s no lack of viewpoints already out there. In this edition of the Domestic Fuel Cast, we’ll hear from National Turkey Federation president Joel Brandenberger, Purdue University’s Wally Tyner and Chris Hurt, former Secretary of Agriculture Clayton Yeutter, and Growth Energy CEO Tom Buis giving their thoughts about a possible RFS waiver.

You can listen to the Domestic Fuel Cast here: Domestic Fuel Cast

You can also subscribe to the DomesticFuel Cast here.

Audio, corn, Domestic Fuel Cast, Farm Foundation, Government, Legislation, NCGA, RFA, RFS, USDA

New Holland Promotes Ethanol at Farm Progress Show

Cindy Zimmerman

New Holland was all about American Ethanol at the 2012 Farm Progress Show this past week in Boone, Iowa.

“This year we’ve got a whole emphasis on a brand new partnership with American Ethanol,” said New Holland North America Vice President Abe Hughes about the equipment and signage at the show exhibit promoting ethanol and the NASCAR partnership. “We’re putting our name on the line saying that we’re 200% behind ethanol production.”

Hughes says they support ethanol because of the stability it’s brought to the American farmer. “It’s brought income stability to them and their families and it’s helped rejuvenate rural communities,” he said.

New Holland is also working on new ways to harvest corn stover for cellulosic ethanol production, with the introduction this year of the Cornrower combine attachment. “We’ve got the equipment to support the collection of stover in a clean way,” said Hughes. “You’ve got to handle it very carefully so you don’t get dirt in there and it leaves just the right amount of residue to avoid erosion.”

Listen to an interview with Hughes from FPS: Interview with Abe Hughes

2012 Farm Progress Show Photo Album

advanced biofuels, American Ethanol, Audio, Cellulosic, Ethanol, Ethanol News, New Holland