Ethanol Industry Upbeat

Chuck Zimmerman

I just got back from the 27th International Fuel Ethanol Workshop. It was a good time visiting with my friends in the renewable fuels industry. The mood is certainly better that it was a couple of years ago. That sentiment was noted by Tom Bryan, VP of BBI International, as well. I spoke with him near the conclusion of the event yesterday.

Tom says the technical sessions were extremely well attended. In fact, chairs had to be added to some of them due to the attendance in them. He says there were over 2,000 in attendance this year. That may not be as high as several years ago but shows that the industry is resilient and upbeat for the future. Tom Bryan Interview

You can find more story posts from the 2011 FEW on our Domestic Fuel website.

2011 FEW Photo Album

Our coverage of the 2011 Fuel Ethanol Workshop is being made possible by the Renewable Fuels Association.

Audio, Ethanol

You said how much?

Melissa Sandfort

Let’s just say there are 8 pounds of water in 1 gallon. (It’s 8.34 but round numbers are easier.)

Let’s say this #3 butter churn is 3 gallons. That’s 24 pounds of butter, assuming butter and water weigh the same.

Let’s say this #4 butter churn is 4 gallons. That’s 128 sticks of butter. (1 pound of butter = 4 sticks)

Did I just do the math right? Mr. Smith, can you check my answer please?

Now tell me this – who doesn’t love butter? What isn’t better with butter? Take that one step further and where do we get the cream for that butter? Cows. That’s right folks, cows. Those brown-eyed beauties that some folks deem stinky and not for human consumption provide us all the good stuff we need to make butter. Aaahhhh, so now you’re saying a little stink is worth it for butter?

I hope I never hear my son “udder” the question, “where does that milk and cheese and butter come from” while in a grocery store. Although, daddy already taught him how to tell a bull from a cow, so I think I’m safe.

Until we walk again …

Uncategorized

GIPSA Dominates Senate Committee Hearing

Cindy Zimmerman

The topic of the hearing before the Senate Agriculture Committee yesterday was “The State of Livestock in America” but much of the testimony centered around USDA’s controversial Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyard’s Administration (GIPSA) proposal.

In a strong statement at the start of the hearing, ranking member Senator Pat Roberts (R-KS) said that GIPSA proposal is in direct opposition to the intent of Congress under the 2008 Farm Bill.

“As a result, we are looking at a proposed rule that is undoubtedly significant in its economic impact and which threatens to undo years of livestock marketing arrangements that have benefited both livestock producers and consumers,” said Roberts. “At a time when many talk about how agriculture is going to help lead the rebound for our economic recovery, it makes no sense to me why we would try to hamstring this industry, and take away marketing tools that will have far reaching implications in both the domestic and international marketplace.”

Watch Roberts get fired up about GIPSA here:

GIPSA, Video

What G20 Ag Ministers Can Do

Chuck Zimmerman

Our latest ZimmPoll asked, “What can G20 ag ministers do to stabilize food prices?” The answer is Nothing, 31%; Increase productivity, 23%; End biofuels production, 18%; Regulate markets, 17%; Improve crop reporting, 8% and Stockpile food, 3%. Can they actually do any of these things? Well, I guess they can do nothing. They met recently and did come up with “a plan.” Interestingly, stockpiling food is part of their plan. Hmm . . .

Our new ZimmPoll is now live. We’re asking the question, “What do you think of USDA’s proposed GIPSA rule?” Let us know what you think. Don’t know much about GIPSA? Check out this link to find a series of posts on the subject.

ZimmPoll is sponsored by Rhea+Kaiser, a full-service advertising/public relations agency.

ZimmPoll

Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort

    Zimfo Bytes

    NCGA’s Tolman Receives FEW High Octane Award

    Chuck Zimmerman

    I am attending the 2011 Fuel Ethanol Workshop which is being held in Indianapolis, IN. It’s the “technical” conference for the industry where lots of the latest in technology and processes are presented in multiple, simultaneous workshops. This morning it was also where the 2011 FEW High Octane Award was presented.

    Receiving the award is Rick Tolman, CEO, National Corn Growers Association. The award was presented by Tom Bryan, BBI International. Rick made a few comments about working in support of the industry. He says there are three main reasons for why he does it. First, it’s the economy, to take some of the money that’s going overseas and invest it in rural America. Then it’s the environment, trying to bring the reality of a clean, renewable energy source to the U.S. and reduce our GHG emissions. And third it’s national security, to bring home the men and women overseas trying to protect the flow of oil. You can listen to or download his remarks here: Rick Tolman Award Remarks

    You will find much more coverage of the 2011 FEW over on our sister website, Domestic Fuel. Feel free to follow the Twitter hashtag, #FEW11 too.

    2011 FEW Photo Album

    Our coverage of the 2011 Fuel Ethanol Workshop is being made possible by the Renewable Fuels Association.

    Ag Groups, Biofuels, Corn, Ethanol, NCGA

    Boats Go Fast on Ethanol

    Cindy Zimmerman

    Whoever says that ethanol hurts marine engines has never seen boats running at more than 80 miles an hour on E-10.

    Boat racers from coast to coast gathered this past weekend in the ethanol-producing town of Garnett, Kansas for the National Boat Racing Association (NBRA) “Garnett Ethanol Hydroplane Nationals.” The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) partnered with NBRA earlier this year to help dispel concerns about the use of ethanol fuel in boat engines. The partnership includes the use of the RFA “Fueled with Pride” logo on signage around the racing events, as well as on all the racing boats and haulers.

    See more photos from the race here: NBRA Ethanol Boat Race

    All of the boats that race in NBRA competitions around the country this year have to prove they are using 10 percent ethanol fuel in order to be eligible for additional prize money in the race. “We test all the fuel before the race and then the top three entries in any class are tested when they come in to make sure they are running ethanol,” said NBRA president Dan Crummett – yes, the same Dan Crummett who might be better known to the Agwired audience as Executive Editor for Farm Progress Companies.

    The NBRA races include a number of different classes of hydroplanes and runabouts with stock and modified outboards that run as fast as 96 miles per hour. Crummett says most of the issues that boaters experience when using ethanol-blended fuel can be addressed with better maintenance. “Any fuel will degrade over not a long period of time once the oil is mixed in it,” he says, which is why it’s so important for boaters to avoid leaving fuel set n the tank for an extended time.

    Listen to my interview with Dan Crummett here: NBRA President Dan Crummett

    Each race in each class is just three laps around a relatively small course – but really, really fast! Take a look in the video below:

    Corn, Ethanol, RFA

    Food Bloggers Get Out On The Farm

    Chuck Zimmerman

    ZimmCast 309Would you be surprised to know that many food bloggers aren’t real familiar with where the food they write about comes from? Probably not. Most people today do not understand how food is produced and have no real connection to the farm regardless of what kind of food or farm you’re talking about.

    The Iowa Corn Growers have done something about this. Last week they hosted a group of “guest bloggers” to Iowa and I met them during Iowa Corn Indy 250 weekend activities. Pictured in the center is food blogger, Allison Loesch along with her husband on the right and Iowa Corn Promotion Board Chair, Dick Gallagher.

    I know that many of you want to know how to reach out to and engage consumers more. How about reaching out to those very involved in social media on the consumer side? In this week’s program you will hear Mindy Willamson, Iowa Corn Growers, talk about the group they hosted and from Allison. I think you’ll find what they have to say interesting.

    Listen in and learn more about food blogging: Guest Blogging with Iowa Corn Growers

    If you’d like to get to know this group of guest bloggers here is how you can find and follow them. Their names are links to their blogs:

    Hopefully they will join #FoodChat which is the Twitter conversation that takes place the third Tuesday of each month from 8-10pm, ET. All other Tuesday’s it is AgChat!

    This week’s program ends with some music from Music Alley. It’s called “Food” by Deirdre Flint.

    Thanks to our ZimmCast sponsor, GROWMARK, locally owned, globally strong, for their support.

    The ZimmCast is the official weekly podcast of AgWired. Subscribe so you can listen when and where you want. Just go to our Subscribe page.

    Ag Groups, Audio, Corn, Food, ZimmCast

    Novus International Partners With Verenium

    Cindy Zimmerman

    Novus International will be expanding its animal nutrition products thanks to a new partnership with enzyme company Verenium.

    novusThe focus of the partnership will target the development of products using Verenium enzymes for the global poultry, swine, beef, dairy, aquaculture and companion animals markets. “These new enzyme products will give us the ability to offer new solutions to the performance challenges our customers face,” said Novus International president and CEO Thad Simons.

    Verenium is an industrial biotechnology company that develops high-performance enzymes for various industries, including biofuels.

    Verenium“We are extremely enthusiastic about our partnership with Novus, the potential opportunity it represents for the continued development of our pipeline and for Verenium to become a more active participant in the animal health and nutrition marketplace with our suite of high-performance enzyme products,” said James Levine, President and Chief Executive Officer at Verenium.

    Read more here from Novus and here from Verenium.

    Animal Health, Novus International

    Zimfo Bytes

    Melissa Sandfort

      Zimfo Bytes

    • Monsanto Company and Amvac Chemical Corporation announced an agreement that broadens Monsanto’s Roundup Ready PLUS weed management platform in the United States to include Amvac’s Impact herbicide beginning in the 2012 crop season.
    • Seed World magazine has awarded agronomy scholar Matthew Mattia with the Future Giants of the Seed Industry award.
    • The National FFA Organization has selected seven collegiate FFA members to participate in the FFA Global Outreach: Africa program.
    • AgriLabs announced that the company has signed an exclusive sales and marketing agreement with SmartVet, makers of the VetCap Delivery System and AIMC insecticide GelCaps.
      Zimfo Bytes