Brownfield Ag News

December 6, 2018

By John Perkins

U.S. ethanol production last week hit a multi-month high.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration says production averaged 1.069 million barrels a day, up 21,000 on the week for the highest daily average since late August. The EPA last week maintained the conventional portion of the Renewable Fuel Standard, but some in the ethanol industry criticized the agency for not addressing small refinery hardship waivers, which have been used to skirt RFS requirements. Recent trade discussions with China, Canada, and Mexico are expected to lead to improvements in export demand for U.S. ethanol.

Stocks were up 100,000 barrels on the week at 23.030 million barrels.

The USDA expects record corn use for ethanol demand this marketing year.

Read the original article: U.S. Ethanol Production Climbs

Ethanol Producer Magazine

December 3, 2018

By Erin Voegele

A new proposal released by the Ontario government indicates the province could require gasoline to be blended with 15 percent ethanol as soon as 2025. The U.S. ethanol industry has applauded news of the proposal.

On Nov. 29, the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks released a made-in-Ontario environment plan that aims to protect the province’s air, land and water while reducing waste, lowering greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and helping communities protect themselves from climate change.

The proposal, titled “Preserving and Protecting our Environment for Future Generations: A Made-in-Ontario Environment Plan,” includes a provision that indicates the province could “increase the renewable content requirement (e.g. ethanol) in gasoline to 15 percent as early as 2025 through the Greener Gasoline regulation, and reduce emissions without increasing the price at the pump, based on current ethanol and gasoline prices.”

Growth Energy, the U.S. Grains Council and Renewable Fuels Association have spoken out in support of Ontario’s adoption of E15. “As one of the largest markets for ethanol, this is a huge milestone for Canada and the people of Ontario,” said the three groups in a statement. “Ontario recognizes the important environmental, economic, and health benefits that ethanol provides and we look forward to seeing this plan become a reality by 2025.”

The RFA said it will continue to remain actively engaged in the development of provincial and national renewable fuel policies and regulations in Canada. Growth Energy noted, that in partnership with the USGC, it submitted comments to Canada’s Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change last year, urging them to look beyond E10 at higher blends like E15, and welcomed the commitment from the Ontario Province to move from a 5 percent blend to a 10 percent ethanol fuel blend by 2020.

According to Statistics Canada, gross sales of gasoline reached 16.89 billion liters (4.46 billion gallons) in Ontario during 2017. If ethanol accounted for 15 percent of that volume, it would represent a market of nearly 670 million gallons.

A comment period on the Made-in-Ontario Environment Plan is open through Jan. 28. Additional information, including a full copy of the plan, is available on the Ontario government website.

Read the original article: Ontario Could Require E15 as Soon as 2025

Syngenta

November 27, 2018

Press Release

A recent trial evaluating the use of Enogen^® corn enzyme technology with ICM’s Selective Milling Technology^TM and Fiber Separation Technology^TM successfully demonstrated that the technologies work well together, providing synergies that can bring higher ethanol yield and more robust starch-fiber separations. The technologies were tested at Corn Plus, a Minnesota-based dry grind ethanol plant.

Enogen corn is an in-seed innovation available exclusively from Syngenta and features the first biotech corn output trait designed specifically to enhance ethanol production. Using modern biotechnology to deliver best-in-class alpha amylase enzyme directly in grain, Enogen corn eliminates the need to add liquid alpha amylase. The product is rapidly gaining widespread acceptance because of the value it delivers to ethanol producers and the opportunity it provides corn growers to be enzyme suppliers for their local ethanol plants.

“Enogen grain works across a broad range of pH and temperatures, facilitating an unparalleled break in viscosity through unique enzyme activity and unmatched dosage rates,” said Dr. Miloud Araba, head of technical services for Enogen at Syngenta. “Breakthroughs in viscosity reduction can lead to unprecedented levels of solids loading, which directly contribute to increased throughput and yield, as well as significant cost savings from reduced natural gas, electricity and water use.¹”

“SMT^TM and FST^TM are two of ICM’s value-added, patented technology platforms,” said Steve Hartig, ICM VP of Technology Development. “Both technologies are designed to help maximize production and minimize operational expense. SMT maximizes the amount of starch exposed for conversion to ethanol and oil available for recovery while preserving fiber for higher value platform applications. FST is a progressive pre-fermentation system that removes fiber prior to fermentation, allowing more fermentable carbohydrates to be loaded into each batch for fermentation."

“Using Enogen corn, with its mode of action and high amount of expressed enzyme, brings a lower viscosity to the corn mash. The lower viscosity provides improved separation capability, leading to increased efficiencies when working in tandem with the SMT^TM and FST^TM systems,” Hartig added.

To inquire about incorporating Enogen into a dry grind ethanol plant, contact Jeff Oestmann at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it." For more information about Enogen corn hybrids, contact a Golden Harvest^® Seed Advisor or NK^® retailer or visit www.Enogen.com.

For more information about implementing ICM’s SMT^TM or FST^TM system, contact Jeff Scharping at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it." or (316) 977-6833.

Join the conversation online – connect with Syngenta at Syngenta-us.com/social.

¹ Based on Enogen trial and commercial results at Midwest ethanol plants.

About Syngenta
Syngenta is a leading agriculture company helping to improve global food security by enabling millions of farmers to make better use of available resources. Through world class science and innovative crop solutions, our 28,000 people in over 90 countries are working to transform how crops are grown. We are committed to rescuing land from degradation, enhancing biodiversity and revitalizing rural communities. To learn more visit www.syngenta.com and www.goodgrowthplan.com. Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/Syngenta and www.twitter.com/SyngentaUS.

About ICM, Inc.
Established in 1995 and headquartered in Colwich, Kan., with a regional office in Brazil, ICM provides innovative technologies, solutions, and services to sustain agriculture and to advance renewable energy, including ethanol and feed technologies that will increase the supply of world protein. By providing proprietary process technologies to over 100 facilities globally with a combined annual production of approximately 8.8 billion gallons of ethanol and 25 million tons of distiller grains, ICM has become a world leader in bio-refining technologies. For additional information, please visit http://www.icminc.com.

Read the original press release: Enogen Corn from Syngenta Combined with SMT and FST Technologies from ICM Help to Provide Added Value to Ethanol Production at Minnesota Plant

Energy.AgWired

November 28, 2018

By Cindy Zimmerman

Al-Corn Clean Fuel has been recognized by the Minnesota FFA Foundation for the company’s support of programing throughout southeast and southern Minnesota. The partnership between Al-Corn Clean Fuel and the Minnesota FFA Foundation allows for scholarship funds to assist 58 FFA chapters in select programs, including service projects.

“The leadership skills acquired by the next generation of agricultural leaders through organizations such as FFA will benefit our local communities well into the future,” said Rod Jorgenson, Chairman of the Board for Al-Corn Clean Fuel.

“The need to build partnerships in support of local and state agricultural education programs continues to grow as budgets are increasingly tight,” said Val Aarsvold, executive director of the Minnesota FFA Foundation. “It’s a win-win partnership as our programs receive valuable support to prepare future employees for agricultural careers and develop skills to provide leadership for their local communities.”

Read the original article: Al-Corn Clean Fuel Support MN FFA

On Friday, November 30, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released the final Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) renewable volume obligations (RVOs) for 2019.