World Wheat Crop A Record In 2008

World wheat output jumped 12.4 per cent in 2008 to 686 million tonnes, driving global cereals output to record highs, the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization said Feb. 12, raising its earlier estimates. But smaller planted areas and bad weather are likely to trigger a fall in output of wheat and other cereals in

Ethanol Seen Taking Third Of U. S. Gasoline Market

The United States could replace nearly a third of gasoline consumption with ethanol mainly made from plant waste and special energy crops in about 20 years, according to a study released Feb. 10. Some 75 billion gallons of ethanol per year could be made from non-food cellulosic feedstocks, like wood waste and fast-growing grasses, and


Has ethanol’s boost to corn prices run its course?

Recent news stories have been flush with reports about developments in cellulosic ethanol and other biofuels production. Maybe these reports help provide an understanding of why Informa Economics recently forecast corn prices below $3 with wheat prices below $4 and soybeans under $7. Let’s look at the biofuels news first and then see what implications

Zambia looks to diversify

Zambia is completing a model farm meant to encourage economic diversification from copper and cobalt mining to agriculture, Finance Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane said on Feb. 2. The 155,000-hectre Nansanga farm will be ready for foreign and local investors this year as the country pushes to grow more export crops to reduce dependency of copper exports,


One-Fifth Of U. S. Ethanol Capacity Idled

U. S. ethanol producer and grain processor Archer Daniels Midland Co. said Feb. 3 nearly 21 per cent of U. S. ethanol production capacity has been shut due to weak demand and poor margins. U. S. ethanol plants with a production capacity of 10.2 billion gallons per year are currently operating, down from a peak

Sorghum gene map could lead to improved crops

Scientists have deciphered the genetic makeup of sorghum, a drought-tolerant crop and important food and biofuel source, and said the breakthrough could help develop better crops for arid regions. Sorghum is one of the world’s leading cereals, along with corn, wheat, oats and barley, and can thrive in hot, dry conditions other crops cannot tolerate.


Answer to fertilizer woes blowing in the wind, says researcher

Brandon Here’s an interesting experiment: On a hot day, open a six-pack of beer with your buddies and start drinking. When there’s only two left, observe the dynamics. The degree of thirst and the attitudes of the company present will determine how the situation gets resolved. That in a nutshell, describes the current global fossil

Budget Aid To Be Followed By Livestock Aid Meeting

“We see (slaughter capacity funding) as filling in holes and gaps in packing facilities across the country.” – Agriculture minister Gerry Ritz The progress reports the Liberals have demanded for their support of the Jan. 27 federal budget should help farm groups keep track of how much of the $550 million allocated for agriculture is


U. S. ethanol industry wants diversification

Developing non grain sources of ethanol should be a priority for the administration of President Barrack Obama, the U. S. Renewable Fuels Association says. Chairman Chris Standlee and CEO Bob Dinneen told reporters in a conference call that the Obama administration should provide loan guarantees for next-generation technologies to make the ethanol industry less dependent

U. K. funds non-food biofuels

The British government and 15 businesses including Royal Dutch Shell and SABMiller have directed 27 million pounds (US$38.10 million) for research on new biofuels that do not use up food. It is Britain’s biggest ever public investment in bioenergy. The money will fund research at six centres around Britain with the goal of replacing petrol