Nebraska Cattlemen oppose ethanol mandates
(KRVN.com) -- According to Nebraska Cattlemen leaders, the ethanol hearing hosted Monday by Senators Ben Nelson and Tom Harkin in Omaha was a great opportunity to hear all sides of the energy debate. But Michael Kelsey, Nebraska Cattlemen executive vice president, said the state's largest industry, beef, was not been invited to speak. According to Kelsey, "renewable fuels are very important to the Midwest, and the nation as a whole," but the Cattlemen believe that "mandating production and usage has never been good over the long term for any industry, for several reasons." Mandates promote inefficiency and set an artificial demand, Kelsey said. "The Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) next year will require approximately 3.5 billion bushels of corn, which is nearly 30% of what is currently grown in the U.S., Kelsey said. "Remember that the RFS is a mandate, meaning the 3.5 billion bushels of corn must be used to produce fuel and cannot be used for food, feed or export." Kelsey added that the RFS does not promote a working relationship between industries, but instead forces a relationship.
'Sens. Nelson, Harkin optimistic about ethanol, ag futures'
(AP) -- Two U.S. senators emerged from a special ag committee hearing on food, feed and fuel production with a strong sense of optimism. Sens. Tom Harkin of Iowa and Ben Nelson of Nebraska were in Omaha Monday gathering information about the changing economic landscape for agriculture and renewable fuels' production. Harkin says that as the biofuel industry grows there will be some headaches. But he says he believes that most people and businesses can get through the rough spots, given proper federal policies and advice from the private sector.
'Ethanol from corn cobs, corn fiber touted at national conference in Omaha'
(Omaha World-Herald) -- At a national ethanol conference last week in Omaha, South Dakota-based ethanol producer POET announced that it would begin making cellulosic ethanol from corn cobs and corn fiber at a Scotland, S.D., pilot plant by the end of 2009. The company plans to open a commercial plant in Emmetsburg, Iowa, by 2011, said Jeff Broin, POET's chief executive officer. That plant would produce 25 million gallons of ethanol per year using corn fiber and corn cobs. About 1,200 people - farmers, renewable energy experts, and people working in the ethanol industry - are attending the conference at Omaha's Qwest Convention Center. The event includes a trade fair featuring about 200 businesses that serve the ethanol industry.
'Gov. Heineman links ethanol to security'
(Omaha World-Herald) -- Ethanol supporters attending a national conference last week in Omaha continued to defend corn-based ethanol as a key component to reducing American dependence on gasoline. Gov. Dave Heineman said the federal government has been slow to address an issue that affects national security. "For 25 years and maybe more, the federal government has talked about reducing our reliance on foreign oil — and they haven't done a doggone thing about it," he said. "It's time we did something. America needs leadership when is comes to energy, and ethanol is particularly part of that future."
'Lower corn costs likely to help livestock and ethanol industries'
(Nebraska Farmer) -- Earlier this year, it was thought that the floods in the Midwest had devastated any chance of a bumper crop. However, warm weather and good growing conditions have helped crops stage an incredible comeback. Last week’s USDA August Crop Report shows the potential for the second largest corn harvest in history. Although the estimates look promising, USDA Chief Economist Joe Glauber says anything could happen to the crop which is a week to 10 days late due to delayed planting. Because of the predictions of a large crop, prices are likely to move lower helping both the livestock and ethanol industries.
'Oil prices slide close to $110 per barrel'
(AFP) -- World oil prices dropped near $110 on Tuesday as traders expressed relief after Tropical Storm Fay avoided oil and gas production facilities in the Gulf of Mexico. The market was also dragged down by worries that weaker U.S. oil demand could spread to Europe and Japan, analysts said.
(KRVN.com) -- According to Nebraska Cattlemen leaders, the ethanol hearing hosted Monday by Senators Ben Nelson and Tom Harkin in Omaha was a great opportunity to hear all sides of the energy debate. But Michael Kelsey, Nebraska Cattlemen executive vice president, said the state's largest industry, beef, was not been invited to speak. According to Kelsey, "renewable fuels are very important to the Midwest, and the nation as a whole," but the Cattlemen believe that "mandating production and usage has never been good over the long term for any industry, for several reasons." Mandates promote inefficiency and set an artificial demand, Kelsey said. "The Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) next year will require approximately 3.5 billion bushels of corn, which is nearly 30% of what is currently grown in the U.S., Kelsey said. "Remember that the RFS is a mandate, meaning the 3.5 billion bushels of corn must be used to produce fuel and cannot be used for food, feed or export." Kelsey added that the RFS does not promote a working relationship between industries, but instead forces a relationship.
'Sens. Nelson, Harkin optimistic about ethanol, ag futures'
(AP) -- Two U.S. senators emerged from a special ag committee hearing on food, feed and fuel production with a strong sense of optimism. Sens. Tom Harkin of Iowa and Ben Nelson of Nebraska were in Omaha Monday gathering information about the changing economic landscape for agriculture and renewable fuels' production. Harkin says that as the biofuel industry grows there will be some headaches. But he says he believes that most people and businesses can get through the rough spots, given proper federal policies and advice from the private sector.
'Ethanol from corn cobs, corn fiber touted at national conference in Omaha'
(Omaha World-Herald) -- At a national ethanol conference last week in Omaha, South Dakota-based ethanol producer POET announced that it would begin making cellulosic ethanol from corn cobs and corn fiber at a Scotland, S.D., pilot plant by the end of 2009. The company plans to open a commercial plant in Emmetsburg, Iowa, by 2011, said Jeff Broin, POET's chief executive officer. That plant would produce 25 million gallons of ethanol per year using corn fiber and corn cobs. About 1,200 people - farmers, renewable energy experts, and people working in the ethanol industry - are attending the conference at Omaha's Qwest Convention Center. The event includes a trade fair featuring about 200 businesses that serve the ethanol industry.
'Gov. Heineman links ethanol to security'
(Omaha World-Herald) -- Ethanol supporters attending a national conference last week in Omaha continued to defend corn-based ethanol as a key component to reducing American dependence on gasoline. Gov. Dave Heineman said the federal government has been slow to address an issue that affects national security. "For 25 years and maybe more, the federal government has talked about reducing our reliance on foreign oil — and they haven't done a doggone thing about it," he said. "It's time we did something. America needs leadership when is comes to energy, and ethanol is particularly part of that future."
'Lower corn costs likely to help livestock and ethanol industries'
(Nebraska Farmer) -- Earlier this year, it was thought that the floods in the Midwest had devastated any chance of a bumper crop. However, warm weather and good growing conditions have helped crops stage an incredible comeback. Last week’s USDA August Crop Report shows the potential for the second largest corn harvest in history. Although the estimates look promising, USDA Chief Economist Joe Glauber says anything could happen to the crop which is a week to 10 days late due to delayed planting. Because of the predictions of a large crop, prices are likely to move lower helping both the livestock and ethanol industries.
'Oil prices slide close to $110 per barrel'
(AFP) -- World oil prices dropped near $110 on Tuesday as traders expressed relief after Tropical Storm Fay avoided oil and gas production facilities in the Gulf of Mexico. The market was also dragged down by worries that weaker U.S. oil demand could spread to Europe and Japan, analysts said.
