Republican Senator Chuck Grassley is blasting the Trump Administration for granting more ethanol waivers to the oil industry, just before Joe Biden became president. "What we saw in the final hours of the Trump Administration was a disgrace to the biofuels community," Grassley told … [Read more...]
In final hours, Trump’s EPA grants more RFS waivers
On the last night of the Trump Administration, the Environmental Protection Agency granted three waivers to oil refiners, exempting them from the obligation to blend corn-based ethanol into fuel. Leaders in the biofuels industry say the last-minute waivers flout federal law and recent court … [Read more...]
Federal farm payments doubled in 2020, net farm income up 43%
The USDA is forecasting net farm income for 2020 will jump 43% over last year, reaching a seven-year high of nearly $120 billion. "I would summarize this as an update of a pretty dramatic upswing in the farm economy," said ag economist David Widmar of the consulting firm Agricultural Economic … [Read more...]
Grassley on Heitkamp, Vilsack as US ag secretary nominees
Senator Chuck Grassley predicts Joe Biden's pick to be the next U.S. treasury secretary will get a favorable review in the U.S. Finance Committee. Grassley is currently chair of the panel. "Janet Yellen, former chair of the Federal Reserve, to be secretary of the treasury's one that seems to have … [Read more...]
Economist predicts ’21 a good year for ag sector
Creighton University economist Ernie Goss says this year's increase in farm income is leading to an increase in farmland prices. "Farmers are out there and they're feeling better about the economy, but unfortunately we're not seeing it in the businesses on what we call 'Rural Mainstreet,'" Goss … [Read more...]
‘Project Liberty’ cellulosic ethanol plant in Emmetsburg closed
An ethanol plant in northwest Iowa designed to make the fuel from corn cobs and stalks rather than kernels has closed. The Des Moines Register was first to report the "Project Liberty" plant in Emmetsburg had closed. Iowa State University agronomist Emily Heaton said in an interview with Radio … [Read more...]
In Des Moines rally, Trump touts ‘great history’ with Iowa farmers
President Donald Trump greeted what he called a "beautiful crowd" of thousands of cheering supporters at the Des Moines Airport tonight. "There has never been a president that has done more for farmers and ranchers, for the Farm Belt, for Iowa," he said. "There's never been a president that's … [Read more...]
Massive grain bin under construction in Mason City
Construction is underway in Mason City on what will be the world’s largest freestanding grain bin. Sukup Manufacturing of Sheffield has designed the bin, with a peak height of 155 feet and a capacity of 2.2 million bushels, for the Golden Grain Energy ethanol production plant. Sukup president and … [Read more...]
Iowa retailers split $9.3 million for biofuels infrastructure
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue today announced the U.S.D.A. has awarded $9.3 million in grants to increase ethanol and biodiesel sales in the state of Iowa. The money may be used to install new storage tanks or new fuel pumps for biodiesel or higher blends of ethanol. "A consumer will … [Read more...]
Ethanol again driving campaign conversation in 2020
The health of the ethanol industry has been a staple of Iowa campaigns for years and 2020 is no different. This month, the Trump Administration denied 54 waivers that would have exempted oil refineries from blending ethanol into gasoline. In addition, Trump himself announced the EPA will let … [Read more...]