Ethanol producers and corn farmers held a telephone press conference Wednesday to spotlight recent research on the impacts of ethanol plant closings, a new survey on voter attitudes about ethanol, and a potential White House agreement to promote further renewable fuels use. The main message from Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper, new National Corn Growers Association President …
Ethanol Report on Crappie Masters Championship
2019 has been another winning year for the partnership between ethanol and crappie fishing. The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) just wrapped up a third year as co-title sponsor of the Crappie Masters All American Tournament Trail with the national championship in Grenada, MS, concluding September 28. Missouri Corn Growers and the National Corn Growers Association have also both been closely …
Japan Deal is Good for Grains and Ethanol
The U.S.-Japan trade agreement signed by President Donald Trump this week “will solidify our longstanding partnership for the future and create a platform for growth into new sales and new sectors, including the potential for sales of U.S. ethanol,” according to the U.S. Grains Council (USGC) Japan is one of the largest and most loyal U.S. corn customers, having bought …
Ag Groups Cheer Japan Agreement
Representatives for farmer and rancher organizations were present for a meeting with President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Abe in New York City as the two signed a trade deal Wednesday worth billions for U.S. agricultural producers. Under the market access agreement, Japan will open the market to approximately $7 billion in American agricultural exports, eliminating or significantly lowering …
Ethanol Report DC Update
When will that “giant package” of help for corn farmers and biofuel producers impacted by small refinery exemptions be announced by President Trump? The industry is still waiting on that word. Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) president and CEO Geoff Cooper was in Washington DC last week and in this edition of The Ethanol Report he gives an update on what …
NCGA Tackles Waivers, Trade
While celebrating announcements about E-15, National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) 1st Vice President Kevin Ross had the opportunity to share a pointed message with President Trump last spring regarding small refinery exemptions. But recent news out of Washington, D.C. about Renewable Fuels Standard waivers has Ross declaring there is still work to do. “There’s time for them to do things …
Managing Costs During Tight Margins
Margins are tight in the ethanol industry, and for a number of reasons from political to regulatory to economic. John Christianson, Principal, Christianson PLLP, told those attending the 2019 American Coalition for Ethanol Conference that successful plants have to be strategic and focused. “It really comes down to leadership and it comes down to a laser focus,” said Christianson. “The …
Ethanol Industry Has What It Takes
It was a somber yet determined group of ethanol industry representatives that met last week in Omaha for the American Coalition for Ethanol 32nd annual conference, in the wake of the EPA granting another 1.43 billion gallons of refinery waivers. ACE CEO Brian Jennings says they had a tough and honest board meeting prior to the start of the conference. …
Ethanol is Number One Priority for Grains Council
Ethanol is the number one priority for the U.S. Grains Council today, according to USGC CEO Ryan LeGrand, who spoke at the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) conference last week in Omaha. “There’s nothing more important to us right now than ethanol,” said LeGrand. The council has seven priority markets, with Mexico being one of the most significant. While the …
Nebraska Governor Thanks Ethanol Industry
Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts welcomed members of the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) meeting in Omaha this week by thanking them for what they do. “Ethanol is a very important industry, on a national and on a state level,” said Gov. Ricketts, noting that Nebraska is the second largest ethanol producing state in the nation with 25 plants employing 1400 …