Think ethanol is in trouble? With the Senate sending a clear message that it is time to end ethanol subsidies, you may think it is the end of the ethanol industry. Nothing is further from the truth. Here are some things going on within the industry, that may surprise you:
DuPont has chosen a central Iowa location for its next generation ethanol plant. This is in reference to the ethanol being produced from corncobs, leaves and stalks, known as cellulosic ethanol, instead of corn kernels, which is starch based ethanol. The plant will take 12 to 18 months to build and be ready for production in 2013. Documents filed with the state show that an investment of 275.5 million has been made, an indication that at least someone has new ideas.
Ethanol Producer magazine reports that Iowa once again is leading the new age of ethanol production, as Quad County Corn Processors in Galva, Iowa, was awarded a $1.45 million dollar grant from the Iowa Power Fund to construct a bolt-on cellulosic production facility. The difference with this plant and the DuPont plant, is that the Quad County project will involve adding onto an existing starch based plant and both types of ethanol could be produced from the same facility. As a small farm owner, we call this value added production.
Finally, you may never have heard of Ty and Jay Stukenholtz, but with the renewed interest in cellulosic ethanol, you soon will. These twin brothers have invented an attachment that allows a combine to harvest corn as usual, but then instead of spitting out the rest of the plant, the parts are are separated and gathered up.
To date, the Stukenholtz brothers have been working on and improving their invention for 10 years. The changes in the industry might just be the perfect fit for all their hard work. For more on their Residue Recovery System, check out their site.
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