BioFuel

[charliep]

There are lots of things happening at AAFRD on the bio fuel although not as visible as what some would want. The approach to date is more supply chain in working with all the elements of the industry starting from the consumer (eg. talking about the benefits of bio diesel blends in terms of clean burning and improved lubricity), attracting long term/sustainable investment and finally the changes at the farm level to support including the new industry. It is more complicated than the government simply mandating a 5 % inclusion rate in fuel.

This is a good discussion in that it is important to look at government policy levers. It is also important to look at how industry moves this forward.

[wd9]

We'll get a good feel at the National Biodiesel Board conference in Calgary in July on the 'state' of the industry.

And yes TOM4CWB, we are not only up to it, it is full steam ahead!

[wedino]

Canadian Renewable Fuels Summit runs Dec 12 - 14 /06 in Calgary. Another excellent conference.

[JD4ME]

Tom4cwb

Good to see someone else on here pushing the bioenergy concept for Canada, as producers we should be looking at it this way,
If we can galvanize urban support for this apparently "green" in their eyes concept of ethanol and biodiesel. We should be able to enlist pressure from the urban electorate to push govermental policy in this area .
Do we as producers really care if it is economic, though it is now or is very very close to being.
If we can make public policy a utilization policy, even if there must be incentives of some sort that is what we should be focusing on.
Despite I am free enterprise all the way I believe that desperate times call for call desperate measures and the grains sector in this country is in desperate times. Any non food utilization of acres and product can only do nothing but help reduce supplies and prop up prices.
Talk to your city friends as well as the country ones people and talk up bioenergy if the pressure comes from the city as well as the country it would resonate stronger.

[charliep]

Had some feedback that indicated concerns from the livestock side about impact of bio fuel policy on feed supplies/availability. Pulling 5 MMT out of wheat supplies would have an interesting impact on CWB operations and may cause concern among some of our traditional customers.

An interesting comment is that the Agricultural industry is entering into some uncharted waters with interesting impacts of bio fuel processors on supplies both in poor years (perhaps quality and supply) as well as bumper crop years.

Do we have a handle on what the variety and trait needs will be of the bio fuel industry? How will farmers change to meet this opportunity?

[silverback]

Tough question Charlie.

Many farmers thought that the world wanted Hard White Wheat until a few months ago.

What happens if they suggest some varieties and then pull them shortly after?

[wd9]

God forbid that grain farmers get paid for what the crop is worth. If the feeder guys want feed, they are going to have to pay for it because the success of biofuels and food demand alone will be dramatic. The effects of cheap domestically subsidized corn to Canada will be tempered also by the US demand for energy - reduced corn acres, so those days are numbered too.

Choices will have to be made between feed, food, and fuel. Choices like who is paying the most. I'm thinking it will be good to be a g&o farmer someday.

Charlie, TOM4CWB, others, you all look at this stuff all the time, S&D, trends. Any predictions on where this is all heading? What may be some pitfalls that can be avoided by good planning now, etc?