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Minneapolis, Oct 12 - The Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association (MN Biofuels) and KS95 FM teamed up today to reward drivers who switched to Unleaded Plus (E15) during a two-hour promotion at the Winner station on Portland Avenue in Richfield.
From 11:30 am to 1:30 pm, MN Biofuels and KS95 FM rewarded 25 drivers who chose to fuel up with E15. Among the prizes given were $20 in cash, tickets to the Minnesota Zoo, gift cards to Chili's and Applebee's and KS95 merchandise.
During the promotion, KS95 personality, Carissa Sherman, spoke and educated drivers on the benefits of using E15.
"Today's promotion was the ninth time we've teamed up with KS95 this year to promote E15 to drivers in the Twin Cities metro. As the availability of E15 increases, it's important for us to educate drivers on how using E15 reduces greenhouse gas emissions, supports Minnesota's economy, makes America more energy independent and saves them at the pump," said Tim Rudnicki, executive director at MN Biofuels.
According to data from the Minnesota Department of Commerce, nearly 40 million gallons of E15 have been sold in Minnesota this year as at the end of August, more than double the volume sold for the whole of 2017 (19.05 million gallons).
Earlier this week, the Trump Administration said it would be directing the EPA to begin a rulemaking process to provide E15 with a reid vapor pressure (RVP) waiver for the summer months, thus allowing it to be sold throughout the year. At present, E15 cannot be sold from June 1 to Sept 15.
LAMBERTON, Oct 17 – Seventeen students from Red Rock Central High School toured Highwater Ethanol today to learn about their local ethanol facility’s business practices and economic footprint.
The students, who were 12th graders from the school’s Ag Business class, were briefed on the various processes of ethanol production at Highwater Ethanol, which produces 59.5 million gallons of ethanol a year, as well as the plant’s financial procedures.
"The ethanol industry is a vital economic driver within Minnesota and tours like these highlight the ethanol production process and its role in expanding our energy independence while contributing to the rural economy and improving our environment,” said Brian Kletscher, CEO of Highwater Ethanol.
During the tour, the students visited the plant’s administrative office, water treatment process, incoming grain grading and handling, ethanol loadout, ethanol process facility, energy center, dried distiller grain production and storage.
The tour was organized by the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association (MN Biofuels). In 2017, MN Biofuels brought a different group of students from Red Rock Central to Highwater Ethanol.
“We are pleased that Red Rock Central High School is utilizing these tours as a part of their curriculum. It’s important for students to learn about clean, Minnesota-produced renewable energy and how it reduces harmful emissions, produces competitive career opportunities and supports their local economy,” said Tim Rudnicki, executive director of the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association.
Highwater Ethanol began operations in Lamberton in August 2009 and currently has 42 fulltime employees.
Kletscher said ethanol plants employ a wide variety of professionals. In the business operations side, he said professionals with skills in business administration, finance, accounting, human resources and agriculture economics are required.
Red Rock Central’s agriculture instructor, Hunter Klontz, accompanied her students during today’s tour.
“I believe that having students explore and receive more insight on agricultural businesses will help them see the importance of what this certain industry is striving for. Gaining knowledge about the industry that is all around them is crucial to understand and see in person,” she said.
Picture Caption: KS95's Crisco with a driver who made the switch to E15 at Bona Brothers Minnoco
Minneapolis, Oct 19 - The Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association (MN Biofuels) and KS95 FM rewarded drivers who fueled up with Unleaded Plus (E15) during an hour-long promotion at Bona Brothers Minnoco in Fridley today.
From 11:30 am to 12:30 pm, MN Biofuels and KS95 rewarded 20 drivers who made the switch to E15. Among the prizes given were $20 in cash, gift cards to Applebee's and Chili's, tickets to the Minnesota Zoo and KS95 merchandise.
KS95 personality, Crisco, was at the station during the promotion educating drivers on the benefts of using E15.
"For the last several weeks we have gone out to various stations in the Twin Cities metro with KS95 and have found that more and more drivers are eager to switch a fuel that emits fewer greenhouse gases, costs less than regular unleaded and is made right here in Minnesota," said Tim Rudnicki, MN Biofuels executive director.
Today's promotion was the 10th time both MN Biofuels and KS95 have teamed up this year to educate and promote E15 to drivers in the Twin Cities.
Earlier this month, the Minnesota Department of Commerce announced that nearly 40 million gallons of E15 have been sold in Minnesota as at the end of August this year, more than double the volume sold for the whole of 2017 (19.05 million gallons).
Minneapolis, Oct 26 - Fourteen students from Minnesota State University, Mankato toured Guardian Energy yesterday to get a closer look at clean renewable energy production.
During the tour, the students learned several components of ethanol production including incoming grain grading, grain handling, fermentation, grain storage, dried distiller grain production and storage, ethanol storage and shipment.
Yesterday’s tour was the second time students from Minnesota State Mankato have toured Guardian Energy this month. On Oct 11, students from the university’s Biological Engineering Analysis class visited Guardian Energy. The students who participated in yesterday’s tour are from the university’s Agroecology class.
“We were pleased to welcome another Minnesota State Mankato class to our plant to learn about locally produced biofuels. Tours like this are an opportunity for students to engage with our employees on the facility’s efficiency and production processes and to highlight ethanol’s many benefits,” said Jeanne McCaherty, CEO of Guardian Energy.
The tour was organized by the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association (MN Biofuels). Guardian Energy is a member of MN Biofuels.
“These tours provide students a better understanding of how a homegrown ingredient is converted into a clean fuel that has been reducing and continues to reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions, saves consumers money at the pump and makes America more energy independent,” said Tim Rudnicki, executive director at MN Biofuels.
Minnesota State Mankato biology professor, Christopher T. Ruhland, who accompanied his students for the tour, said his students had previously learned about starch extraction and ethanol conversion.
“My students were able to observe how starch is converted to ethanol in a step-by-step process. From the minute that the corn kernels leave the truck to seeing the finished product loaded into rail cars, the entire cycle is covered in this tour,” Ruhland said.
In fact, Ruhland anticipates some of his students will pursue careers in biofuels at an advanced level.
“It is one thing to talk about biofuel production in the classroom and the lab, but seeing how benchtop science is scaled-up to industrial production is obviously very important and the students are always very excited to see how things they learn about in a classroom setting are actually performed in a local agribusiness,” he added.
Benson, Nov 1- Twenty students from Benson High School toured the Chippewa Valley Ethanol Company (CVEC) plant today to get a better understanding of how clean homegrown renewable energy is produced.
During the tour, the students learned about the different stages in ethanol production including incoming grain grading, grain handling, fermentation, grain storage, dried distiller grain production and storage, ethanol storage and shipment.
“We were delighted to host Benson High School at our facility and provide them with a first-hand look at the benefits ethanol brings to our community, consumers, local producers and environment. We appreciate the students taking time out of their schedule to learn more about biofuels and the advantages they provide as a source of fuel,” said Chad Friese, CEO of CVEC.
The students, all eighth graders, were from Benson High School’s Ag Exploration Class.
The tour was organized by the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association (MN Biofuels). CVEC, which has an annual production of 50 million gallons of ethanol, is a member of MN Biofuels.
CVEC commenced operations in 1996 and currently has 50 employees. It has hosted many tours over the years for high school students, 4-H’ers, and local agriculture and science programs.
“We organize these tours to show students how a homegrown renewable ingredient is converted into a clean fuel that continues to reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions,” said Tim Rudnicki, MN Biofuels’ executive director.
Nancy Loen, an agricultural science teacher at Benson High School, accompanied her students during today’s tour.
"This tour was so important for my students to further learn about the various aspects of agriculture and how it affects them both directly and indirectly, as well as a great exposure to career opportunities," Loen said.
Little Falls, Nov 7 – Thirty students from Milaca High School toured the Central Minnesota Renewables (CMR) plant today to gain a better understanding of clean Minnesota-produced renewable chemicals.
The students, who are from Milaca’s FFA chapter, were briefed on the various processes of bio-based chemical production such as acetone and n-butanol.
“It’s important for students to understand how bio-based ingredients produced right here in Little Falls reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions. Our renewable chemicals are boosting the economy in rural Minnesota and tours like these highlight the necessary skills to pursue a career in bio-based chemical production,” said Jonathan Olmscheid, VP of Finance at CMR.
The tour was organized by the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association (MN Biofuels), a non-profit trade organization that represents the ethanol and renewable chemical industries in Minnesota. CMR is a member of MN Biofuels.
CMR was previously an ethanol plant that was repurposed to produce renewable chemicals from corn in 2016. Renewable chemicals have 45 percent greater carbon efficiency during production in comparison to petroleum-based chemicals.
CMR’s renewable chemicals are used as raw materials in many consumer products such as Kingsford GreenFlame charcoal lighter fluid, Beauty Secrets acetone nail polish remover, paints, adhesives and coatings.
"During the tour, the students learned about the different stages of acetone and butanol production at our facility and how they compared to traditional ethanol production including incoming grain handling and storage, breakdown of corn into starch which is utilized in fermentation, the protein and fiber sold as a livestock feed, distillation of solvents, and the products that these solvents are used to produce," Olmscheid said.
CMR uses 5.2 million bushels of Minnesota-grown corn a year to produce its renewable chemicals.
“Through these tours, students are given a chance to see and understand the process of converting a homegrown renewable ingredient into sustainable bio-based chemicals” said Tim Rudnicki, executive director at MN Biofuels.
Doug Olson, the Vocational Agriculture teacher at Milaca High School, accompanied his students for the tour.
"We are trying to expose our students to a wide variety of career options within the agriculture industry. Having the opportunity to tour a local bio-based chemical plant is awesome! Renewable energy will continue to be in the spotlight as we try to manage our natural resources for an estimated global population predicted to exceed nine billion by the year 2050,” Olson said.
CMR currently has 50 employees that work in fields such as accounting, logistics, grain procurement, shift operations, engineering and lab technicians.
Brian Kletscher, CEO of Highwater Ethanol, explaining cooling tower and waste water treatment plant operations to Springfield High School students.
Lamberton, Nov 13 – Eighteen students from Springfield High School toured Highwater Ethanol today to learn more about homegrown renewable energy production.
During the tour, the students, from grades 10 to 12, learned about the various processes in ethanol production at Highwater Ethanol, which produces 59.5 million gallons a year.
“By getting a first-hand look at our operations, we hope to have an impact on these students as they plan on furthering their education and eventually head into their respective working careers. Ethanol produced here in Lamberton supports our local farm economy and promotes homegrown energy independence," said Brian Kletscher, CEO of Highwater Ethanol.
The students, who were from the school’s Ag Science and Horticulture classes, toured the plant’s administrative office, water treatment process, incoming grain grading and handling, ethanol loadout, ethanol process facility, energy center, dried distiller grain production and storage.
The tour was organized by the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association (MN Biofuels), a non-profit trade organization that represents the ethanol industry in Minnesota. Highwater Ethanol is a member of MN Biofuels.
“These tours allow students the opportunity to engage with plant staff and learn about the many benefits that locally grown and made biofuels have, like reducing carbon emissions, contributing to consumer choice and lowering pump prices,” said Tim Rudnicki, executive director at MN Biofuels.
Highwater Ethanol began operations in Lamberton in August 2009. It currently has 42 fulltime employees.
Sarah Lee, an Agriculture Education teacher at Springfield High School, said her students had discussed renewable energy and its environmental benefits prior to today’s tour.
“We grow a lot of corn in our area and it is neat for them to see, in more detail, how it is used. Living in the area, many students understand the ‘farm-to-table’ for our food, but with many vehicles on the road today that are able to run on E85, or an ethanol blend, it will be good for them to understand the ‘farm-to-fuel-tank’ process,” she said.
Lee said today’s tour also highlighted to her students the various career opportunities in the ethanol industry.
“This is extremely relevant to our local agricultural economy and is important for kids to get a better understanding of ethanol, its uses and the local and global impact. Our students now have a better idea of area job opportunities for post high school by seeing the process of corn to ethanol conversion and the technology used to help make it happen,” she added.
Benson, Nov 16 – Twenty students from Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa (BBE) High School toured Chippewa Valley Ethanol Company (CVEC) in Benson this morning to learn about ethanol production.
“School tours allow students a first-hand look at the ethanol production process and its role of advancing our local economy in addition to promoting our energy independence and improving our air quality,” said Chad Friese, CEO of CVEC.
The students, from grades 11 to 12, were from BBE High School’s Dairy & Livestock Production, Ag Business Management and Small Gas Engines classes.
During the tour, they learned about the several different components of ethanol production such as incoming grain grading, grain handling, fermentation, grain storage, dried distiller grain production and storage, ethanol storage and shipment.
CVEC, which produces 50 million gallons of ethanol annually, is an ethanol production cooperative that commenced operations in 1996 and currently has 50 employees. The tour was organized by the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association (MN Biofuels). CVEC is a member of MN Biofuels.
“Our annual grant program enables schools to tour their local ethanol plant and learn more about Minnesota-produced renewable fuels,” said Tim Rudnicki, executive director at MN Biofuels.
BBE High School’s agriculture instructor, Gary Rodgers, said that his students had learned about oxygenated fuels and ethanol prior to today’s tour during their small engines training program.
“My students learned how the process works and saw that ethanol is providing good jobs, creating more demand for locally grown corn and reducing pollution in engines burning it.
“They now have a better understanding of the importance of ethanol blended fuels and are more willing to try ethanol blended fuels and start using it on an ongoing basis,” he said.
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Minneapolis, Nov 20 – Seventeen students from Little Falls High School visited the Central Minnesota Renewables (CMR) plant yesterday afternoon to learn more about Minnesota’s bio-based chemical industry.
During the tour, the students, from grades 9 to 12, learned about the various processes of acetone and butanol production at CMR, which is produced from Minnesota-grown corn.
“We appreciate Little Falls High School bringing their students to our plant to learn about bio-based chemicals and the many benefits they provide. Tours such as these are an opportunity for students to engage with our employees and learn about the one of kind in the world production process that is located in their home town,” said Jonathan Olmscheid, VP of Finance at CMR.
The tour was organized by the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association (MN Biofuels), a non-profit trade organization that represents the ethanol and renewable chemical industries in Minnesota. CMR is a member of MN Biofuels.
The students, which were from the high school’s Agriscience class, toured the facility’s administrative office, energy center, fermentation, distillation, laboratory operations, control room, protein and fiber storage, incoming grain handling and storage and chemical loadout areas.
“Yesterday’s visit from Little Falls concludes our school tours for 2018. Tours at CMR showcase how a domestic feedstock is converted into a clean chemical that reduces harmful VOC emissions and supports the surrounding economy,” said Tim Rudnicki, executive director at MN Biofuels.
CMR was previously an ethanol plant that was repurposed to produce renewable chemicals from corn in 2016. It uses 5.2 million bushels of corn annually.
CMR’s bio-based chemicals are used as solvents and additives in consumers products such as Kingsford GreenFlame charcoal lighter fluid, Beauty Secrets acetone nail polish remover, paints, adhesives and coatings.
Beth Berlin, agriculture instructor at Little Falls High School, accompanied her students during yesterday’s tour. Prior to the tour, she said that her students had studied corn and its use in biofuels.
“My students saw first-hand the uses of locally-grown corn, and viewed the process of making bio-based chemicals. I'm excited to have students see what is going on in their own backyards,” Berlin said
Picture Caption: (From left to right) Brian Kletscher, President of MN Biofuels, and Tim Rudnicki, Executive Director of MN Biofuels, presenting the 2018 Distinguished Retailer award to Liz Nalezny, owner of Plymouth Station Holiday.
Minneapolis, Dec 13 – The Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association (MN Biofuels) named Plymouth Station Holiday as its 2018 Distinguished Retailer yesterday at the release of the former’s 2018 Annual Report in Prior Lake.
“Plymouth Station Holiday was one of the first stations in Minnesota to offer E15 back in 2015. Since then they have added E15 at their other station in Plymouth and will soon begin offering it at a new station in New Hope,” said Tim Rudnicki, executive director at MN Biofuels.
Besides E15, Plymouth Station Holiday also offers E30 and E85.
“We initially wanted to offer E15, E30 and E85 because we felt it was the right thing to do for our environment and for the local economy and it was cheaper for the customer. We felt biofuels would be mainstream in the future and wanted to be one of the first to offer this choice to our customers,” said Liz Nalezny, owner of Plymouth Station Holiday.
Prior to the award, MN Biofuels released its 2018 Annual Report to its producer and vendor members. The report provided its members with an overview of Minnesota’s ethanol industry in 2018 and various projects MN Biofuels undertook to grow ethanol consumption in the state.
“To be mission and results-oriented and provide a reasonable return on membership investment – these are the bedrock principles upon which we build each advocacy, communications and fuel supply chain project at MN Biofuels,” Rudnicki said.
MN Biofuels 2018 Annual Report can be downloaded here.
Picture Caption : (From left to right) Brian Kletscher, President of MN Biofuels, and Tim Rudnicki, Executive Director of MN Biofuels, with the 2018 Annual Report.
Minneapolis, Jan 14 – Winthrop-based Jackson Electric Inc has become the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association’s (MN Biofuels) latest vendor member.
“We are pleased to welcome Jackson Electric to our growing roster of members. A year ago, its sister company, JTI Services, joined us and both companies work with the ethanol industry in southern Minnesota. Their support for MN Biofuels shows their commitment for a stronger ethanol industry in Minnesota,” said Tim Rudnicki, MN Biofuels executive director.
Jackson Electric was founded in 1987 by Dale Jackson to provide electrical services to the ag-based community in Winthrop. The company later narrowed its services to industrial and commercial customers.
In 1997, Dale’s brother, Mike, joined Jackson Electric, and the company began providing its services to the new ethanol plant in town, Heartland Corn Products.
“Jackson Electric has had a great long-term relationship with the ethanol industry that started with the construction of Heartland Corn Products. We have grown with them over time and wanted to show our support for the industry by joining MN Biofuels as a vendor member,” said Mike, vice president of production at Jackson Electric.
Today, the company’s footprint has expanded beyond Winthrop. After Dale’s sons, Cody and Dylan, joined Jackson Electric in 2014, the company now serves customers in Minnesota and the upper Midwest with a safety-driven team dedicated to providing the best possible electrical services to its customers.
These electrical services include design, installation and maintenance of a company’s electrical system.
Jackson Electric’s sister company, JTI Services, is an electrical predictive maintenance and safety company that helps industrial and commercial facilities reduce downtime and prevent injuries. It was established in 2013 to complement Jackson Electric’s services.
“As our company has grown over the years, we have realized that our core values and specialties align well with the ethanol industry. Joining MN Biofuels has given us a great opportunity to learn what our customers are thinking about and also a chance to build new relationships,” Mike said.
Learn more about Jackson Electric here.
Minneapolis, Jan 28 – Kemin Industries has become the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association’s (MN Biofuels) latest vendor member.
Headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa, Kemin has operations in 90 countries including manufacturing facilities in Belgium, Brazil, China, India, Italy, Russia, Singapore and South Africa. It has over 2,500 employees globally.
“We are pleased to welcome Kemin as our latest vendor member. Kemin has an Enzyme Technology Group that provides yield solutions to ethanol plants,” said Tim Rudnicki, executive director of MN Biofuels.
Specifically, Kemin’s Enzyme Technology Group performs research and development to look for new enzymes to improve ethanol yield and has a dedicated sales and field technical services team for the ethanol industry.
One particular product, ZyloZyme, is a phytase that provides phosphates and other nutrients for improved yeast nutrition.
According to Kemin, the benefits of ZyloZyme include three-year stability for long shelf life, dry powder in water-soluble packing for easy handling and accurate dosing and is concentrated for less storage space with no refrigeration required.
“Kemin’s enzyme products can make a positive impact on the ethanol plant’s profitability. Minnesota ethanol plants produce over 1.2 billion gallons of ethanol. It just makes sense that Kemin would be a member of the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association to make a positive impact in the state,” said John Philips, senior sales manager at Kemin.
Another enzyme developed by Kemin to improve an ethanol plant’s profitability is ZyloPro, a fungal acid protease that provides free amino acids from proteins potentially reducing urea use by providing an alternative nitrogen source for yeast.
The benefits of ZyloPro include improved yeast performance, more efficient ethanol production, increased corn oil production, is one of the most concentrated proteases commercially available, is a non-GMO and generally recognized as safe (GRAS) and is available in totes for ease of handling and storage.
Learn more about Kemin here.
Picture caption: Kemin's headquarters in Des Moines, Iowa
Minneapolis, Feb 18 – Minnesota’s ethanol industry contributed $2.31 billion to the state’s gross domestic product (GDP) in 2018, according to a new study by ABF Economics.
In 2018, the study said, Minnesota’s ethanol producers produced 1.27 billion gallons of ethanol, 3.8 million tons of dried distiller’s grains with solubles (a high-protein animal feed) and 283 million pounds of corn oil (which is used for biodiesel production).
This in turn, the study said, generated $6.9 billion in gross sales for Minnesota businesses and supported 20,137 jobs in 2018.
Furthermore, according to ABF Economics, Minnesota’s ethanol industry contributed $1.74 billion in household income and paid $204 million in state and local taxes last year.
“This study once again shows the importance of the ethanol industry to Minnesota’s economy,” said Tim Rudnicki, executive director of the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association (MNBiofuels).
The study by ABF Economics was prepared for MNBiofuels.
In comparison to 2017, the study said the industry’s GDP contribution in 2018 grew 6.4 percent to $2.31 billion from $2.17 billion.
Full-time jobs supported by the industry was 7 percent higher in 2018 at 20,137 jobs compared to 18,813 jobs a year earlier, ABF Economics said.
The industry also spent $2.06 billion on operating costs in 2018, 9.9 percent more than it did in 2018 ($1.87 billion), the study said.
In terms of the co-products produced by Minnesota’s ethanol industry last year, ABF Economics said the 3.8 million tons of dried distiller’s grains with solubles produced was sufficient to meet the annual feed requirements of more than 2.5 million beef and dairy cattle or the entire inventory of cattle and calves in Minnesota.
The study added the 283 million pounds of corn oil produced in 2018 was sufficient to produce 38 million gallons of biodiesel, or more than 45 percent of Minnesota’s biodiesel capacity.
Minneapolis, March 12 - The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) long-awaited proposal to allow E15 to be sold year-round was finally released today.
Included were proposals to reform the Renewable Identification Number (RIN) market.
In October 2018, President Donald Trump directed the EPA to issue a 1-psi reid vapor pressure (RVP) waiver for E15, thus enabling it to be sold during the summer months.
“This proposal is long overdue as the Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory has said the RVP for E15 is indistinguishable from E10. By extending the RVP waiver to E15, consumers will have access to a cheaper and cleaner fuel during the high-driving season in summer,” said Tim Rudnicki, executive director of the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association.
At present, from June 1 to Sept 15, the RVP limit is set to 9.0 psi to reduce evaporation of fuel from cars and storage and transfer equipment which contributes to smog. The psi for E10 increases in the summer months by 1 but Congress-imposed a 1-psi RVP waiver for E10 in 1990. Today’s proposal by the EPA would extend that waiver to E15.
In the proposal, the EPA said “E15 would then be held to the same gasoline volatility standards that currently apply to E10, maintaining substantially the same level of emissions performance as E10 since E15 made from the same CBOB during the summer would have slightly lower RVP than E10 and would be expected to have similar emissions performance..”
However, with the RVP season for 2019 a mere 80 days away, Rudnicki said the EPA is racing against time to get the rule out by June 1.
“The EPA has not given itself much time and adding RIN reform to this proposal has the potential to add complications to getting this rule in time for the summer driving season,” he said.
Last year, E15 sales in Minnesota hit 59.4 million gallons but would have been substantially higher if there had been an RVP-waiver for E15, Rudnicki added. There are currently over 340 stations in Minnesota that offer E15.
Among the EPA’s proposals to reform the RIN market include prohibiting certain parties from being able to purchase separated RINs, requiring public disclosure when RIN holdings exceed specified thresholds, limiting the length of time a non-obligatory party can hold RINs and increasing the compliance frequency of the program from annually to quarterly.
The EPA said the deadline for comments on the proposal is April 29 while several news reports, citing the EPA, said a public hearing on the proposal will be held on March 29.
The EPA's proposal can be found here.
Minneapolis, March 27 – Forty-one students from Ridgewater College toured Chippewa Valley Ethanol Company (CVEC) in Benson yesterday to learn about an important ethanol co-product, dried distiller’s grains with solubles (DDGS).
“Tours like this educate students on the role ethanol plays in boosting the economy in rural Minnesota and reducing harmful greenhouse gas emissions. It also gives them a better understanding on ethanol co-products like DDGS, which is a high-protein animal feed that is increasingly used by poultry, swine, dairy and beef producers,” said Chad Friese, CEO of CVEC.
According to the USDA, one ton of DDGS is equivalent to 1.22 tons of corn and soybean meal. Friese said every bushel of corn used to produce ethanol at CVEC also produces 14 pounds of DDGS.
The students, who were from Ridgewater College’s animal nutrition class, were briefed on the DDGS production process during ethanol production and toured CVEC’s DDGS production and storage units.
CVEC, which has an annual output of 50 million gallons of ethanol, produced 116,331 tons of DDGS last year.
The tour was organized by the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association (MN Biofuels).
“In 2018, Minnesota’s ethanol producers produced 3.8 million tons of DDGS. This was sufficient to meet the annual feed requirements of more than 2.5 million beef and dairy cattle or the entire inventory of cattle and calves in Minnesota,” said Tim Rudnicki, executive director at MN Biofuels.
Ridgewater College’s livestock instructor, Kari Slinden, accompanied her students for today’s tour.
“We learn about feed products in animal nutrition and how DDGS and other products can be used. It’s educational for them to see the process of corn to products and learn about the nutrition of feeding,” she said.
Today’s tour was the second time Slinden has brought her students to CVEC. In April 2018, she brought 35 students to the plant.
“Students really enjoyed the tour last year. They learned a lot about the production of ethanol and by-products they can use to feed their livestock. Students really enjoyed learning about how the distillers and wet cake products are made. Many students were surprised by the number of products that can be made out of ethanol,” she said.
Additionally, Slinden expects many of her students will return to their home farms and work within the agribusiness industry upon graduation and eventually incorporate CVEC’s DDGS into their livestock rations.
Minneapolis, March 29 – Twelve students from Minneota High School visited the Archer Daniels Midland Company's Carbohydrate Solutions plant in Marshall on Wednesday, March 27 to get a better understanding of renewable fuel production.
The students, all 12th graders, toured the various production process areas at ADM Carbohydrate Solutions, which included ethanol production, the facility’s fructose plant, mill and feedhouse and maintenance shop.
“By seeing our operations up close, these students gain a deeper understanding of how we connect the harvest to the home, making products for food, animal feed, industrial and energy uses,” said Nick Frank, plant manager. “We’re excited to welcome these students to our facility and we’re hopeful they’ll consider future careers in the ag industry.”
The tour was organized by the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association (MN Biofuels) and sponsored by Novozymes, a global microbe and enzyme provider, and supporter of Minnesota’s ethanol industry. ADM and Novozymes are members of MN Biofuels.
ADM's ethanol plant is the only wet mill plant in Minnesota and produces 50 million gallons of ethanol a year. All other plants in the state use a dry milling process.
In the wet mill process, corn is separated through soaking and then processed through grinders. In the dry mill process, the corn kernel is grinded and mixed with water and enzymes.
"The ethanol industry plays a vital role in Minnesota's agriculture industry and through these tours, students are given a chance to see and understand the process of converting a homegrown renewable ingredient into clean energy," said Tim Rudnicki, executive director of MN Biofuels.
The students, who are a part of Minneota High School’s Building Trades class, were accompanied by the school’s agriculture instructor, Matt Buysse.
“The students learned more about potential career opportunities. It also showed them how biofuels are made and produced,” he said.