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Blended Ethanol Provides Better Fuel Economy
Than Gasoline
Research findings released last week strongly suggests
that there is an "optimal blend level" of ethanol and gasoline -- most
likely E20 or E30 (20 or 30% ethanol) -- at which cars will provide
better mileage than the fuel's per-gallon btu content would predict.
The new study, cosponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy and the
American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE), shows mid-range ethanol blends --
fuel mixtures with more ethanol than E10 (10% ethanol) but less than E85
(85% ethanol) -- can in some cases provide better fuel economy than
regular unleaded gasoline, even in standard, non-flex-fuel vehicles. The
new study also found that mid-range ethanol blends reduce harmful
tailpipe emissions and that vehicles without any adjustments can operate
well on higher ethanol blends than previously thought.
Previous assumptions held that ethanol's lower energy content should
always directly correlate with lower fuel economy for drivers. Those
assumptions were found to be wrong
"Initial findings indicate that we as a nation haven't begun to
recognize the value of ethanol," says Brian Jennings, ACE executive vice
president. "This is a compelling argument for more research on the
promise of higher ethanol blends in gasoline. There is strong evidence
that the optimal ethanol-gasoline blend for standard, non-flex-fuel
vehicles is greater than E10 and instead may be E20 or E30. We encourage
the federal government to move swiftly to research the use of higher
ethanol blends and make necessary approvals so that American motorists
can have the cost-effective ethanol choices they deserve at the pump."
The University of North Dakota Energy & Environmental Research Center
(EERC) and the Minnesota Center for Automotive Research (MnCAR)
conducted the research using four 2007 model vehicles: a Toyota Camry, a
Ford Fusion and two Chevrolet Impalas, one flex-fuel and one
non-flex-fuel. Researchers used the EPA Highway Fuel Economy Test
(HWFET) to examine a range of ethanol-gasoline blends from straight Tier
2 gasoline up to 85% ethanol. All of the vehicles got better mileage
with ethanol blends than the ethanol's energy content would predict, and
three out of four actually traveled farther on a mid-level ethanol blend
than on unleaded gasoline.
The research provides strong evidence that standard,
non-flex-fuel vehicles can operate on ethanol blends beyond 10%. The
three non-flex-fuel vehicles tested operated on levels as high as E65
before any engine fault codes were displayed. Emissions results for the
ethanol blends were also favorable for nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide
and non-methane organic gases, showing an especially significant
reduction in CO2 emissions for each vehicle's "optimal" ethanol blend
(E20 for the flex-fuel Chevy, E30 for the Toyota and Ford, E40 for the
non-flex Chevy).
"These studies show that moderate 20-30% ethanol blends can reduce air
pollution, improve gas mileage and save drivers money in the most
popular cars on the road today," says Brett Hulsey, president of Better
Environmental Solutions, an environmental health consulting firm.
"Moderate ethanol blends are homegrown in America, can be delivered with
existing pumps to current vehicles and cost less than gasoline. Ethanol
lowers CO2 emissions 20% from gasoline, making it one of our most
effective greenhouse-gas-reduction programs currently in place."
For more information on the key findings of the study or to download the
full report, click here: www.ethanol.org/news.
Source: American Coalition for Ethanol
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Transgenic
Corn And Root Ratings Don't Always Mesh
University of Illinois (U of I) entomologists question
the value of rootworm injury ratings for predicting yields from
transgenic corn hybrids in the Dec. 7, 2007 Issue of the
Bulletin, a newsletter with pest management and crop development
information.
In the article, "Yield Data from the University of Illinois Standard
Corn Rootworm Product Efficacy Trials," authors Kevin Steffey, Mike Gray
and Ron Estes point out that root protection and transgenic corn yields
don't always correlate. For example, at the DeKalb test plot, "the mean
yield of YGVT (DKC61-69) was 225.53 bu./acre and the mean yield of
HxXTRA (Pioneer 33T59) was 216.18, despite comparable mean node-injury
ratings of 0.2 and 0.08, respectively," they write. "And despite a mean
node-injury rating of 0.84 at Urbana, the mean yield for YGVT was
206.17, significantly larger than the mean yield of HxXTRA (Pioneer;
153.79 bu./acre) with a mean node injury rating of 0.49."
In other words, the Dekalb hybrid with YieldGard rootworm protection
recorded a better yield (9 bu./acre more at DeKalb and more than 50
bu./acre better at Urbana) than the Pioneer hybrid with Herculex XTRA
rootworm protection, even though it sustained more root injury. This
result and others like it "raise significant questions about the utility
of root ratings as the sole determinant of rootworm larval injury and
their relationship to yield," conclude the U of I entomologists. "Both
the 1-to-6 root rating scale (Hills and Peters 1971) and the more recent
node-injury scale (Oleson et al. 2005) were developed while soil
insecticides were the primary tools being used for control of corn
rootworms. Now that we have entered a new era of rootworm management, a
new standard seems to be justified."
To find out more about yields and products tested for corn rootworm
control during the 2007 U of I corn rootworm trials, click here: www.ipm.uiuc.edu/bulletin/article.php?id=871.
By John Pocock
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NCGA
Optimistic As Senate Advances On Farm Bill
The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) thanked
the Senate on Friday for moving closer to a vote on the 2007 Farm Bill.
Agreement has been reached on the number of amendments to be allowed,
and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NE) has said he expects a vote
by the holiday recess "unless something untoward happens."
"We're glad this is moving forward, and we cannot stress enough the
importance of an average crop revenue program to provide targeted
assistance for farmers when they need it the most," says Ron Litterer,
NCGA president and a grower from Greene, IA. "We hope to improve the
existing language through the amendment process and in the conference
negotiations with the House."
Litterer called on growers to reach out to their senators and express
support for a revenue program option in the Senate farm bill, and for
the Senate to complete the bill before going home for the holidays.
"NCGA will continue to fight for a farm bill that will strengthen the
agricultural safety net, reduce federal budget deficits and create job
and growth opportunities for rural America," says Litterer.
To find contact information for elected officials, visit NCGA's
Legislative Action Center at: capwiz.com/ncga/home/.
Source: National Corn Growers Association
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Top-5
Disease-Management Tips In Continuous Corn
Follow these five tips from Pierce Paul, Ohio State
University Extension pathologist, to deter disease problems in
continuous corn:
- Use some form of tillage to bury crop residue. When not rotating
crops, tillage becomes a necessity to reduce pathogen buildup from one
season to the next.
- Plant hybrids with good disease tolerance and resistance -- the more
tolerant the hybrid, the less yield reduction. Also make sure the hybrid
has good standability and stalk strength.
- Use fungicides as needed to control foliar disease when susceptible
hybrids are planted and weather conditions are favorable.
- Base fertility programs on soil tests; avoid excessive rates of
nitrogen and other nutrients.
- Control insect pests and weeds, as they can transmit viruses from
weeds to corn. In addition, rootworm and stalk borer may cause injury to
plant roots and stalks, permitting stalk rot fungi to enter the
plant.
For more information on disease prevention in continuous corn, click
here: cornandsoybeandigest.com/corn/corn-disease-increase/.
By Jen Bennett
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Poultry
Diets Can Contain High Levels Of Ethanol By-Product
The increased use of corn for ethanol production has
contributed to a sharp increase in corn prices, translating into higher
feed costs for livestock and poultry producers. Yet one way producers
can benefit from the ethanol industry is to incorporate ethanol
byproducts into feed rations.
Several researchers at Iowa State University (ISU) are studying the use
of dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) as a feed ingredient. A
recent project showed laying hen diets can be formulated with high
amounts of corn DDGS without adversely affecting egg production and egg
quality.
"I think it's interesting we could feed a diet with very little corn or
starch products in it with such good results," says Kristjan Bregendahl,
ISU assistant professor of poultry nutrition. Bregendahl supervised the
study, which was conducted by Lane Pineda, a visiting graduate student
from Wageningen University in the Netherlands.
Bregendahl says DDGS contains all the nutrients found in the corn
kernel, except most of the starch, which has been fermented to ethanol
and carbon dioxide. Corn DDGS typically contains about 27% crude protein
and 10% oil, making it suitable as a feed ingredient for poultry and
livestock.
Laying hens in the project were fed a diet with up to 69% corn DDGS. "In
the past, only reports of feeding 15-20% corn DDGS have been available,"
says Bregendahl, "but we showed we can feed as much as we want with no
adverse effects on egg production or quality, as long as we have a
nutritionally balanced diet."
Source: Iowa State University
Extension
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World
Population Trends Favor Farmers
If current population trends continue, our world will
face the challenge in the next 10-15 years of feeding another China, or
about another 1 billion people. Most of that growth will not be in the
U.S., but it provides an ideal market for U.S. farmers.
Speaking at the recent Southern Crop Production Association's annual
meeting in Savannah, GA, John Chrosniak says dramatic population changes
constitute mega-trends in economics that provide permanent trends
offering exciting challenges for U.S. growers.
Chrosniak, senior economic planner for DuPont, says, "The current middle
class in China exceeds 300 million people -- more than the total
population of the U.S. These people want to drive cars and eat more
meat. Right now Brazilian soybeans are feeding Chinese livestock that
provides meat for China's middle class."
China, Chrosniak says, will be a bigger and bigger customer for U.S.
farm goods. The Chinese economy since 2005 has grown at better than
10%/year, compared to 3.5-4.5% for the rest of the world.
To read more of this article about world population growth and the
increased demand for food, click here: deltafarmpress.com/news.
By Roy Roberson
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Workshop Teaches Basic Irrigation
Concepts
This year's dry weather and high commodity prices have
many farmers considering adding irrigation, says Lyndon Kelley, an
irrigation specialist who shares an Extension appointment with both
Purdue University and Michigan State University.
"This is a really exciting time for irrigation in this area," says
Kelley. "We have the water resources and we can increase yield by making
up that one limiting factor: moisture. If you don't have enough water,
it doesn't matter how much you invest in equipment, you are not going to
be able to supply what the plant needs."
But, before adding irrigation to the farm, growers need to have a solid
background and understanding of concepts like how irrigation works and
how to design an irrigation system.
Overhead Irrigation Basics workshop will be held Dec. 13 from 9 a.m. to
3:30 p.m. (EST) at the Marshall County Office Building in Plymouth, IN.
The workshop flyer and registration form are downloadable at: www.ces.purdue.edu/anr/documents.
To register by phone, contact the Purdue Extension office in Marshall
County at 574-935-8545. The registration fee is $10/person, which
includes materials, refreshments and lunch, and is due by Dec. 11.
Individuals interested in similar meetings who cannot attend this
workshop should contact Deanna Mumby in St. Joseph County at
269-467-5511.
Source: Purdue University Extension
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2007
Wisconsin Corn Hybrid Performance Trials Posted
Online
The University of Wisconsin Extension-Madison and
College of Agricultural and Life Sciences have conducted a corn
evaluation program in cooperation with the Wisconsin Crop Improvement
Association. The purpose of this program is to provide unbiased
performance comparisons of hybrid seed corn available in Wisconsin.
These trials evaluate corn hybrids for both grain and silage production
performance.
In 2007, grain and silage performance trials were planted at 15
locations in four production zones. Both seed companies and university
researchers submitted hybrids.
To view the results of the performance trials, click here: corn.agronomy.wisc.edu.
Source: Joe Lauer, University of Wisconsin
Extension agronomist
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Stored Grain
Management And Fumigation Workshop Set For Jan. 14
Farmers can learn about the latest recommendations for
reducing pest damage and maximizing quality in stored grain during a
workshop Jan. 14 at the Michigan State University (MSU) Pavilion for
Agriculture and Livestock Education.
"Stored Grain Management And Fumigation Training for Farmers" is
scheduled to run from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. The program will cover such
topics as bin sanitation, insect pest identification and management and
grain quality from the buyer's perspective.
Those who use fumigation can learn about the products and procedures
that are available, safety hazards and protective measures and
equipment.
Growers with Michigan Department of Agriculture fumigant applicator
certification that expires in 2007, 2008 or 2009 can renew it by
attending this program. Those who are not currently certified can take
the fumigation portion of the pesticide applicator certification exam at
the conclusion of the program.
The $50 registration fee is due Jan. 4. For more information, call the
St. Joseph County (Michigan) MSU Extension office at 269-467-5511.
"Stored Grain Management and Fumigation Training for Farmers" is
sponsored by MSU, Purdue University and the Michigan Department of
Agriculture.
Source: Michigan State University
Extension
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Kansas Ag Technology Conference Slated Jan.
23-25 In Salina
The 11th annual Kansas Agricultural Technology
Conference is moving to a three-day format to accommodate the needs of
both novice and veteran producers, as well as consultants, industry
participants and others.
The conference runs Jan. 23-25 at the Holiday Inn and Conference Center
in Salina. This is an applied workshop designed for those who want to
use or are using precision agricultural concepts in their farming and
other businesses, says Kansas State University (K-State) agronomist
Scott Staggenborg. K-State Research and Extension and the Kansas
Agricultural Research Association (KARA) are co-sponsoring the
conference.
The first day is geared toward those who may be newer to site-specific
technologies, says Staggenborg, who is a coordinator of the event.
Several of the speakers are experienced users of the technologies and
"have a view to the future," he says. Day one topics range from using
precision tools for making on-farm decisions to who is going to take
your data to the next level and more.
The second day focuses on "pushing the envelope" of technology with
glimpses of what is new and on the horizon, says Staggenborg. The
day´s topics range from sprayer tip technology to site-specific
management, record keeping, water quality, autonomous vehicles and
others.
The third and final day includes presentations by farmers who have had
research conducted on their farms. The topics range from seeding rate
studies to improving the accuracy of yield monitors.
The registration fee for the conference is $100 if paid by Jan. 15 and
$125 after that date. Members of KARA receive a $50 discount. The fee
covers conference materials, lunch on all three days and refreshments
during breaks.
More information and a downloadable, printable registration form is
available at www.KsAgResearch.com or by
contacting Lee Scheufler at 620-257-2508 or Scott Staggenborg at
785-532-7214.
Source: Kansas State University Research and
Extension
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Register Now
For January Wisconsin Corn Conferences
Wisconsin will convene corn conferences in three
locations this winter: Jan. 10, in Rice Lake, Jan. 21 in Johnson Creek
and Jan. 22 in Richland Center. These Corn Conferences are designed to
provide you with technical insight and practical advice to improve
on-farm results. The meetings will provide the latest information
available from university and industry research to help you raise a crop
with maximum yield, quality and profitability.
Those attending will learn about:
- The new economics of corn production
- Marketing strategies for corn producers
- 'Saving a buck' or 'Growing another bushel' -- What is your
approach?
- Producer tips for successful corn production
- What the Wisconsin Corn Growers Associations are working on
(ethanol, DDGs, etc.)
"We expect these conferences to be very popular and encourage you to
pre-register early since space is limited," says Joe Lauer, University
of Wisconsin Extension agronomist. "Invite a neighbor to join you and
contact the county Extension office that will be hosting the meeting
that you plan to attend."
For Rice Lake, call 715-537-6250. For Johnson Creek, dial 920-386-3790
and for Richland Center, phone 608-647-6148.
Source: Joe Lauer, University Of Wisconsin
Extension agronomist
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Abnormal Corn
Ear Poster Available Online
"When we started getting reports of ear abnormalities
related to foliar fungicide/insecticide applications this past summer,
we prepped a poster for the Farm Science Review to help farmers sort out
various corn ear disorders and their possible causes," says Peter
Thomison, Ohio State University Extension agronomist. "A reduced 11 x
14-in. version of the poster is available online at: agcrops.osu.edu/corn/documents.
Ohio farmers can also obtain a copy of the poster from their county
Extension office.
By John Pocock
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Top Reasons To Be Thankful: A Note From The
Corn E-Digest Editor
In the previous issue of the Corn E-Digest, I
asked readers to write to me with their top reasons for U.S. corn
farmers to be thankful this season. One farmer who wrote in with a top
list of thanks provided 20 reasons for thankfulness. This farmer, from
Warren County, IA, listed his faith, church, family, freedom and those
who serve in the military to protect those freedoms at the top of his
list, as did several others who wrote to me.
The following is a consolidated list of the rest of this reader's list
of thanks as it relates to being a corn farmer:
- For the good yields (about 20% above normal this year) and for the
good prices.
- For mostly good weather during harvest this year. (We had a 10-day
stretch in October after a torrential rain when it was too wet to get
into the field, but that started the day after I fell off the grain
wagon and wrenched my back so I am very thankful for that break in
harvesting, too.)
- For the ability to pay down some debt.
- For equipment that didn't cause much down time or require expensive
repairs this year and for knowledgeable service technicians who can help
get me back in operating order when I do have problems with my
equipment.
- For the guy at the elevator who ran farmers with small trucks and
wagons through the shortest of the pit lines.
- For no accidents on the road even though I'm moving much slower than
most of the traffic on the four-lane road that runs in front of my
farmstead with a 65-mph speed limit that is often ignored.
- For generous neighbors to share equipment and labor with.
- For the four storms in our area this summer not doing much damage to
the crop, no serious damage to the buildings and leaving me with lots of
firewood to share with people who need it.
- For good advice from my local agronomy products dealer.
- For ready availability of all the supplies I needed for my farm
through local merchants.
If you have any other ideas on what you'd like to see covered in a
future issue of the Corn E-Digest, or if you have concerns or
questions about this issue, please write me (John Pocock) at: jpocock@csdigest.com.
Thanks for your readership.
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