Corn Growers Know Smart Farming Means Clean Water

Recently, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch ran an article highly critical of farmers. Filled with sensational headlines but short on real facts. Below is a response from one of those farmers who was interviewed.

Letter to the Editor, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 06/19/200

Corn growers know smart farming means clean water

I am one of the farmers who was interviewed by Bill Lambrecht for his story "More ethanol, more corn, more fertilizer, more pollution " (June 10) on ethanol and corn production. We spent a lot of time talking about the environmental benefits of new technologies and the way we farm today. I am extremely disappointed that it was all lost in the article.

Today, using conservation tillage, we leave more residue on the surface of the soil to protect it from wind and water erosion. I am building organic matter on my corn acres because of the plant material left in the field.

Facts show the dramatic reduction in inputs, including nitrogen, needed to grow a bushel of corn. Farmers have developed buffer and filter strips and use best management practices in field operations. The water in our rivers and lakes are cleaner because of this.

We have cut our fuel use per bushel of corn as well. We use half the fuel per bushel we did 10 years ago, helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and global warming.

Corn technology has helped me make my farm a better farm. My son and I represent six generations of farmers working this soil, and we are leaving the farm in better condition than we found it.

It is good to spend our energy dollars in the United States, and it starts right here in rural America. The other choice is to continue to send huge amounts of money to buy energy from hostile places. What is the cost of stationing the 6th Fleet and our soldiers in the Middle East?

We have opportunities to lower our dependence on foreign oil, and we need to pursue them as fast as we can. Corn to ethanol is not the complete answer but is the first step, and it is here now.

Leon Corzine | Assumption, Ill.

balanced food and fuel energy security ethanol

Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Maybe as Easy as ABC?

Press reports today report that there's another new organization promoting alternative fuels.

American Biofuels Council Founded to Encourage Increased Use of Biofuels as Major Alternative Energy Source Among Consumers, Enterprises and Local Governments

'ABC' Aims to Point the Way, Showing Consumers, Enterprises and Local Governments How to Effectively Transition to Biofuels to Help Reduce Dependency on Foreign Oil, Lessen Effects of Greenhouse Gases on Global Warming, Create New Jobs and Reduce the Trade Deficit

ABC lays out several reasons why alternative fuels should be embraced:

1. Energy Security. By producing fuel domestically we reduce our dependence on foreign oil.
2. Reduced Emissions. Since biofuels are nearly carbon neutral they contribute very little greenhouse gases to global warming. Biofuels also reduce other harmful emissions dramatically.
   
3. Economic. Producing our own fuel creates jobs and helps reduce our trade deficit by keeping our fuel buying dollars here at home.
4. Sustainability. Since biofuels are produced from various sources of biomass the supply is almost limitless.

Source: American Biofuels Council

Gasoline Refinery Expansions Scaled Back

One would think after the record profits last year in the Big Oil Industry, there would be money and justification for expanding gasoline refinery capacity in the United States. Apparently, NOT.

The Washington Post, among others, is reporting today that refinery expansion is being scaled back. But a new refinery has not been built in over 30 years.

Only last year, the Energy Department was told that refiners, reaping big profits and anticipating growing demand, were looking at boosting their refining capacity by 1.6 million barrels a day, a roughly 10 percent increase.

"By creating a situation of extremely tight supply, the oil companies gain control over price at the wholesale level," says Mark Cooper of the Consumer Federation of America. He argues the refining industry "has no interest in creating spare (refining) capacity."

So there you have it, take the profits and run.

READ MORE

• Big Oil's War on Ethanol
• Clean My Ride
• Big Oil is Worried that America has a Choice
  

California Chooses Wisely with Ethanol

Good News for Californians!

Media story today reports that Gasoline sold in the Golden State will include up to 10 percent ethanol. California air managers decided Thursday, a move the renewable fuels industry says will shift the burgeoning ethanol market into high gear.

"All California refineries making gas sold in the state will have to blend 10 percent ethanol into their gas to meet new fuel standards set by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger starting Dec. 31, 2009, under the resolution adopted by the California Air Resources Board."

California will now know what millions of other drivers across the country now know, that Ethanol provides a clean, renewable fuel.

Read more information HERE.

Senate Energy Bill Provides Platform for Growth of U.S. Ethanol Industry

Grainnet reports:

Washington, DC –- Joining Senate leaders in the Mansfield Room of the U.S. Capitol on June 15, Renewable Fuels Association President Bob Dinneen praised the energy legislation being debated on the floor of the Senate.

The bill would increase the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) to 36 billion gallons of renewable fuels, the majority of which must be next generation renewable fuels like cellulosic ethanol.

How Much Corn is in Those Flakes?

Corn growers in Ohio rallied recently to get the word out on the true cost impact of rising corn prices. In this media report, there were a number of startling facts concerning the true impact on food costs.

"Only 3 cents of corn goes into a box of cereal," "But the cost of a box of corn flakes is so high because of marketing and transportation costs. Same with a bag of corn chips."

Corn prices are up about 33 percent from where they were a year ago, but the impact of that price rise is a much smaller part of food cost increases than is being reported

"Plain and simple, corn prices are not the sole reason, or even the major reason for higher prices in the grocery aisle today,"

"Corn is part of a portion of food products," ... "And it is only a small part of those foods where it is included. A large portion of food price increases come from foods that don't contain corn including fish, fruits and vegetables."

Source: BucyrusTelegramForum.com

balanced food and fuel ethanol energy security corn

Big Oil Is Worried that America Has a Choice

The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries… better known as OPEC… is starting to feel the heat of the increased use of biofuels. And the National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition is asking your help to keep them on the ropes.

NEVC wants you to get involved:

The European Union and nations around the world are looking at biofuels, made from plant and animal matter, to boost energy security, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and open new markets for farmers.

“We have great concerns about this … about policies which discriminate against oil,” Fuad Siala, alternative energy sources analyst at the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, said at a Hart energy conference in Brussels.

“We have legitimate concerns to revisit our investment plans,” he said.

The NEVC says you can help by talking to your U.S. Senator about how E-85 will help this country shake the yoke of foreign oil:

1. Send an email message to your Senators. Click here, edit the sample letter we have written for you, fill in your contact information, then click “Send My Message!”

2. Call your Senators. Express your support for E85 by calling the Senate switchboard at (202) 224-3121 or by looking up the number for your Senators’ offices by clicking here. Emphasize the following points with the staffer:

* With gasoline prices so high, promoting E85 will save consumers money.
* Using domestically-produced E85 reduces our dependence on foreign oil and helps the U.S. economy.

3. Tell a friend. Forward this information (use the link below) to your friends, colleagues, and others that have an interest in promoting E85 and ask that they too send a note to their Senators. The success of our campaign depends on getting as many people as possible to contact their Senators!