BioFuel

[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?