Ethanol Production Down, Stocks Record High

Cindy Zimmerman

The latest Energy Information Administration data analyzed by the Renewable Fuels Association for the week ending March 15, shows ethanol production edged 1,000 barrels lower to an average of 1.004 million barrels per day (b/d), or 42.17 million gallons daily.

However, the four-week average ethanol production rate grew 0.2% to 1.015 million b/d—equivalent to an annualized rate of 15.56 billion gallons and stocks of ethanol increased 2.9% to a new record high of 24.4 million barrels, surpassing the high set 53 weeks prior.

Production numbers for the week ending March 22 are likely to show the impact of flooding in the Midwest that has reportedly impacted 13 percent of regular capacity, with many plants in Nebraska, Iowa and South Dakota limiting production or shutting down

Ethanol, Ethanol News, RFA

Text 24365 to Donate to NAMA Foundation

chuck zimmerman

With the NAMA (National Agri-Marketing Association) Foundation serving 33 student chapters, your support has never been more important. Here is a new way to donate.

Please text “NAMA” to 24365 to donate to the foundation and support Student NAMA!

That will text you back a link to click on and donate via Paypal. Simple. Quick. Try it now.

AgWired Animal, AgWired Energy, AgWired Precision, Education

Job Growth in Biofuels Continues

Cindy Zimmerman

Job growth in the biofuels sector continued last year, according to the 2019 Clean Jobs America analysis of energy jobs data by the national nonpartisan business group E2 (Environmental Entrepreneurs).

The report found that nearly every U.S. state saw an increase in clean energy jobs in 2018, combining to add about 110,000 net new jobs for a growth rate of 3.6 percent. The analysis expands on data from the 2019 U.S. Energy and Employment Report (USEER) produced by the Energy Futures Initiative (EFI) in partnership with the National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO),

Corn ethanol fuels employment represented about 3 percent of the U.S. Fuels workforce in 2018, and added about 500 jobs in 2018. Woody biomass fuel for energy and cellulosic biofuels supported 33,166 jobs across the United States in 2018 and added over 1,700 jobs in 2018.

The report also shows the significantly higher percentage of veterans working in the ethanol industry – 21%, compared to the national average of just six percent.

biofuels, biomass, Energy, Ethanol, Ethanol News

Flooding Impacts Rail Service in the Midwest

Cindy Zimmerman

Extensive flooding in the Midwest has caused damage to railroad infrastructure and additional flooding is expected now along the Mississippi River, resulting in widespread service disruptions in the Iowa-Kansas-Missouri-Nebraska area.

The Federal Railroad Administration has declared an “emergency event” related to railroad operations as the National Weather Service has documented historic flooding throughout the region with rivers rising to recored levels in over 40 locations, causing power outages and breached dams and levees. The situation has created delays in the transportation of biofuels all over the Midwest.

Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor has called on the U.S. Department of Transportation to help expedite rail delivery of biofuels amid historic flooding.

“While we certainly understand and appreciate that these rail issues have been caused by the calamitous flooding currently occurring in the Midwest, it is imperative that all possible actions be taken by the nation’s railroads to ensure that these critical fuel supplies are immediately prioritized and reach markets as quickly as possible,” Skor said in a letter to Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao. “Further delays could not only impact our industry, but could also ultimately increase fuel costs for American drivers.”

Last week ethanol reached a seven-month high on the Chicago Board of Trade and it has been reported that 13 percent of the nation’s ethanol production capacity has been impacted by the flooding.

biofuels, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Growth Energy, transportation

ACE Senior VP Makes Second 2019 Visit to Mexico

Cindy Zimmerman

American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) Senior Vice President Ron Lamberty made his second trip to Mexico this year with a return visit to Monterrey for an ethanol technical information forum for Mexican petroleum equipment installers and retailers. He first visited Monterrey in April of last year to speak to a similar gathering.

“We’re going back to some of the same cities we hosted workshops in last year, so this year, we’re providing more in-depth, practical information on offering gasoline with 10 percent ethanol at retail sites in Mexico,” Lamberty said. “Now that we’ve introduced ethanol across Mexico, and more station owners and operators understand it can help them increase their profits by providing lower-priced fuel to customers, we need to provide more ‘how to’ information with respect to supply, logistics, blending, octane economics, and retail marketing and promotion.”

The forums are a joint effort of the U.S. Grains Council and the Mexican Association of Service Station Providers (AMPES), to inform Mexican petroleum marketers about opportunities in sourcing, marketing, and retailing ethanol-blended gasoline, as Mexico’s transportation fuel sector continues to evolve. Lamberty has shared his experience as an ethanol splash blender and retailer at nine events in Mexico since the fall of 2017. Fuel equipment companies in Mexico report increased interest from retailers and prospective wholesale distributors of ethanol since the workshop series began.

ACE, Ethanol, Ethanol News

Ethanol Report on Fueling Knowledge

Cindy Zimmerman

Spring is here at last and after a rough winter in most of the country there are lots of people ready to hit the road and enjoy some warmer weather activities, like motorcycle riding and fishing, for example.

In this episode of the Ethanol Report, Renewable Fuels Association Vice President of Industry Relations Robert White talks about some of the ways they are helping people fuel their knowledge about ethanol as the nation hopefully moves toward E15 being available for the summer driving season.

Ethanol Report on Fueling Knowledge

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Audio, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Ethanol Report, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA

Study Shows Biofuels are 3 Percent of Iowa GDP

Cindy Zimmerman

The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) has released a new study that shows biofuels are responsible for over $5 billion of Iowa’s GDP, or roughly three percent.

The study, authored by John Urbanchuk of ABF Economics and commissioned by IRFA, also found that biofuels account for over 48,000 Iowa jobs and more than $2.5 billion in Iowa household income.

“The results of this study serve as a great reminder to our state and federal representatives that biofuels continue to be a smart and profitable investment for Iowa,” said IRFA Executive Director Monte Shaw. “However, actions being taken on the federal level, such as the continued use of small-refinery exemptions (SREs) by the EPA that undermine the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), can jeopardize the future of Iowa biofuel producers and the many economic benefits they provide for Iowa.”

While the study found the “importance of the biofuels industry to agriculture and rural economies is particularly notable,” the report also found that “policy stability is essential to maximize these benefits. Uncertainty surrounding issues like SREs, tax credit extensions, trade with China, year-around E15 sales, and the RFS reset will impede the ability of the industry to provide these societal benefits.”

Biodiesel, biofuels, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Iowa RFA

RFA’s Ruff Elected to TRANSCAER® Exec Committee

Cindy Zimmerman

The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) Technical Services Manager Missy Ruff was recently elected to the six person TRANSCAER® Executive Committee, which manages the TRANSCAER® program. Ruff will serve a two-year term.

“Missy is a strong advocate for proper ethanol safety training and has been an active TRANSCAER® participant for a number of years,” said TRANSCAER® Director Erica Bernstein. “Through RFA’s participation in TRANSCAER®, she has helped educate thousands of attendees through seminars and webinars, and I look forward to her bringing the same expertise and passion to the TRANSCAER® Executive Committee.”

TRANSCAER® was established in 1986 and is a voluntary national outreach effort that focuses on providing assistance to local communities to help prepare for and to respond to possible hazardous material transportation incidents. In conjunction with TRANSCAER® this year, RFA has held 20 ethanol safety seminars and two train the trainer events, with more planned throughout the year.

Ethanol, Ethanol News, RFA, safety

ZimmCast 611 – National Ag Day

chuck zimmerman

This week’s program focuses on National Ag Day activities in our nation’s Capitol.

In the program you’ll hear from Senator Pat Roberts who made remarks during the Celebration of American Agriculture reception. I also interviewed Isabella Chism, American Farm Bureau Federation, who is the Chair for National Ag Day. 

Next up is USDA Deputy Secretary, Steve Censky, who spoke prior to moderating a panel discussion, “Observations from the Next Generation of America’s Agriculturists.” After his remarks you can listen to National Ag Day Essay Contest winner Grace Brose, South Dakota.

You can find a recap of National Ag Day activities here. If you’d like to listen to more from the events and find lots of photos then check out my virtual ag newsroom here.

I hope you enjoy this week’s program and thank you for listening.

Listen to the ZimmCast here: ZimmCast 611 – National Ag Day

AgWired Animal, AgWired Energy, AgWired Precision, Audio, USDA, ZimmCast

Another Successful Agri-Pulse Summit

The 2019 Agri-Pulse Ag and Food Policy Summit was another success for the best farm policy news team in the free world.

The event at the National Press Club featured an all-star line up that started with USDA Chief Economist Rob Johannson, and ended with Under Secretary of Agriculture for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Ted McKinney, with Under Secretary of Agriculture for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Greg Ibach at midday. Dozens of agricultural organizations, agribusinesses and food companies were also included on the program, as sponsors, and in attendance.

The day packed in enough food for thought about the future of agriculture and farm policy to keep us all from going hungry for a long time! Here is just a taste of what was on the menu for your listening pleasure.

Agri-Pulse 2019 Summit – USDA Chief Economist Rob Johannson

Agri-Pulse 2019 Summit – USDA Under Secretary Greg Ibach

Agri-Pulse 2019 Summit – USDA Under Secretary Ted McKinney

2019 Agri-Pulse Ag and Food Policy Summit Photo Album

Agri-Pulse, AgWired Animal, AgWired Energy, AgWired Precision, Audio, USDA