George And Ethanol

[agstar77]

Maybe it was during his alcoholism days , that he thought ethanol was a great idea. Now he says corn prices are too high and ethanol should be made from by-product cellulose waste. I guess he figured out from Marie Antoinette, telling them to eat cake doesn't sit too well. Especially since the masses have more votes and an election is coming. How long before Steevie sees the light?

[charliep]

Are you saying ethanol from grain is a bad idea? I assume that increased competition from a cash paying local buyer is a good thing. These plants will by pass the grain handling system as well as railways - competition for their services.

The question is always pace of change and what (if any) government money and/or other support (eg. bio fuel mandates) is needed to move the industry forward. Also changes farmers are willing to make. Move to high yielding/high starch grains suited to both the ethanol and domestic feeding industries.

[agstar77]

I'm not sold on ethanol from grain, other than farmers need for higher prices. But it does'nt matter what I think, if the politicos decide their bread is buttered on the other side they will turn on dime. Who has more votes farmers or consumers?

[Hopperbin]

In actuality with the amount of money the US gov't spent on subsidizing agriculture for export purposes it has likely paid off subsidizing for domestic consumption. Subsidizing for domestic consumption keeps money inside the country. Subsidizing for export, exports money. Lets not forget all the experts don't count all the CO2 that the corn and wheat creates as it grows. So ethanol is green no doubt about it.

[agstar77]

Actually corn and wheat produce O2 and absorb CO2. The fermentation does emit CO2.

[per]

Not to mention that corn producers can be subsidised through ethanol and not trigger any WTO farm subsidy sanctions.

[FarmRanger]

Also, those exports subsidies used to kick the heck out of everybody elses grain prices, including ours. At least its the U.S. consumer paying for ethanol subsidies and not the Canadian farmer this time.

[melvill]

You know per, I've always wondered if the U.S. biofuel policy wasn't, at least, partially aimed at reducing spending under the U.S. Farm bill to reduce the continual confrontation with the WTO and its members. I've never found any U.S. gov't comments to that affect nor have I ever heard or read any non-gov't analysts willing to make that statement but one sure wonders.

I did hear one analyst make the comment that he thought that U.S. biofuels was a "shot across the bows" of OPEC nations. The idea was that it was a way of showing OPEC that the U.S. really did have alternatives and that biofuel was not about reducing CO2 gas emissions at all.

Maybe biofuels - regardless of their physically small fuel impact - and the 07 Energy Bill fuel consumption limitations will make a difference.

[cropduster]

Melvill.......when you gonna be crusin` the streets of Cereal with that Meteor??Am certain ethanol fuel will make sure there is NO rust in the fuel tank,BUT the fuel filter may be another story.Good luck!!Spring is not quite to the `north country` yet!!

[melvill]

Hey, airplane-man. Got the car bought on Sunday. Now I just have to get it home from Winterpeg. Workin' on that.