OUTLOOK
ers say their detractors ignore or trivialize the fact that U.S. corn exports grew last year, that distillers grains is playing a greater role in meeting the world’s protein needs, and that the corn ethanol industry won’t go on expanding forever.
Forgetting Something? The United Stated used nearly 20 percent of its corn for ethanol production last year. Of course, the type of corn used to make ethanol, yellow No. 2 field corn, is not directly consumed by humans. “Ethanol production uses field corn—most of which is fed to livestock with only a small percentage going into cereals and snacks,” Nuernberg recently stated. “In fact, only the starch portion of the corn kernel is used to produce ethanol. The vitamins, minerals, proteins and fiber are converted to other products including sweeteners, corn oil and high-value livestock feed, which helps livestock producers add to the overall food supply.” In fact, the U.S. Grains Council has reported significant increases in distillers grains exports, which are now being shipped all over the planet. In 2007, the U.S. ethanol industry produced 14.6 million metric tons of distillers grains for the global livestock market.
“Maybe part of the problem is that we, as an industry, have not done an effective enough job explaining to the media that only one-third of the corn kernel is the starch used in the ethanol production process and another onethird of the kernel ends up as very high-quality, high-protein livestock feed,” Jennings says, adding that it is even justifiable to assert that had it not been for the ethanol industry increasing the demand for corn, the United States might not have been able to meet the unprecedented new global demand for protein. “Without ethanol—without distillers grains—how would we be feeding all of these livestock species?” he asks. “We can and should make the case that thanks to ethanol we are able to provide significantly more feed than we otherwise might be. We’ve got to do a much better job of hammering that point home.”
Corn Surplus, Exports Rise Just how much credit—or blame—should be given to biofuels for driving up global food prices is debatable. The International Food Policy Research Institute in Washington says biofuels production accounts for onefourth to one-third of the recent increase in global crop
Ethanol Technology Our Passion... Across 5 Continents....Over 400 References...in More than 40 Countries. When it comes to ethanol technology, we work passionately towards delivering results. We offer technology, plant and machinery for ethanol production from variety feed-stocks:Grains (Wheat, Rice, Sorghum, Corn, Rye, etc.) s Sugar cane juice streams (primary, secondary, mixed, syrup, filtrate, etc.) s Cane Molasses s Sweet Sorghum s Beet (Juice / Molasses) s Roots (Tapioca / Cassava / Mandioca) s So, get in touch with us. We will be more than willing to come over, listen to you and partner you with our solutions.
North America, Latin America & Caribbeans: PRAJ Schneider Inc. Tel.: +1-402 331 7230 Fax: +1-402 331 7355 Email: info@prajschneider.com Web: www.prajschneider.com
ETHANOL PRODUCER MAGAZINE JUNE 2008
GREEN FUELS. OUR PASSION
111