energy.agwired.com

Diverse mixtures of native prairie plant species have emerged as a leader in the quest to identify the best source of biomass for producing sustainable, bio-based fuel to replace petroleum.

A new study led by David Tilman, an ecologist at the University of Minnesota, shows that mixtures of native perennial grasses and other flowering plants provide more usable energy per acre than corn grain ethanol or soybean biodiesel and are far better for the environment. The research was supported by the National Science Foundation and the University of Minnesota Initiative for Renewable Energy and the Environment.

“Biofuels made from high-diversity mixtures of prairie plants can reduce global warming by removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Even when grown on infertile soils, they can provide a substantial portion of global energy needs, and leave fertile land for food production,” Tilman said.

The findings are published in the Dec. 8, 2006, issue of the journal Science.

Read more.

Iowa’s newly-elected Secretary of Agriculture says the ethanol industry can help the state regain its dominance in beef production.

According to a story from the Brownfield Network, Bill Northey told members of the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association meeting Thursday that widespread availability of ethanol co-products like dry distillers’ grains could make Iowa the number one beef producing state again like it was just over 30 years ago.

“From an Iowa perspective, we have great opportunities to bring cattle feeding and the cattle industry back to this state in greater numbers,” said Northey. “And part of that is absolutely because of ethanol and renewable energy.”

Northey said investments in Iowa’s value added agriculture industries, including ethanol and biodiesel plants, were creating an entirely new economic climate in rural Iowa. “We’ve had in the last three years $4.4 billion invested in Iowa in ag processing,” Northey said. “These are businesses that will have jobs that’ll process our products that are creating a brand new dynamic in some of these small towns that haven’t seen a new ag job in many, many years and we’re not done yet.”

Read the whole story and listen to Northey’s comments from the Brownfield Network.

The value of US crop production this year will probably be about $7 billion more than last year, which is good news for farmers and taxpayers.

Crop prices are higher this year due in part to increased demand for corn and soybeans to make ethanol and biodiesel.

USDA Chief Economist Keith Collins says that means the government will be paying out less to farmers.

“As market prices have strengthened in the second half of 2006 for crops, we’ve seen all of the price-based payments that are made to farmers go down,” said Collins. “In 2005, direct government payments to farmers were $24 billion. This year, 2006, we are estimating that they will be about $16.5 billion, an $8 billion decline in one year.”

Much of that is due to lower marketing loan benefits, which are price based.

In the latest Long Term Energy Outlook report issued by the Energy Information Administration, higher fossil fuel prices and public policy will generate a further shift toward alternative energy in the coming years.

According to an AP story, U.S. ethanol use is expected to grow to 11.2 billion gallons in 2012 from 4 billion gallons in 2005. By 2030, ethanol use could reach 14.6 billion gallons, or about 8 percent of the nation’s total gasoline consumption.

The administration forecasts a 7 percent surge in the use of alternative sources for distillate fuels by 2030, mostly on greater consumption of biodiesel. Increased biodiesel usage is another component of the Energy Policy Act. Biodiesel use is expected to reach $400 million gallons by 2030, while the use of distillate from coal-to-liquid is projected to reach 5.7 billion gallons.


Read more from AP.

Read the full report from EIA.