In 2007, corn growers proved they could keep up with a growing demand for their crop. The question now is will they step up to the plate again in 2008 or take advantage of higher wheat and soybean prices.
By Nicholas Zeman
November 13, 2007
It may seem counterproductive for companies to import ethanol when the United States seemingly has an oversupply and the price is right. The relationship between ethanol producers and oil refiners can all be understood with greater insight when seen through the lens of fuel importers.
As the world moves toward a more climate-conscious society where carbon is rationed and traded, the ethanol industry must adapt or fall behind.
By Khalila Sawyer
November 13, 2007
Husky Energy Ltd.'s roots are in Cody, Wyo., yet there is something distinctly Canadian about it––maybe because it was started by a Canadian. In 1938, rancher Glenn Neilson from Cardston, Alberta, convinced a farm supply cooperative and a Montana contractor to join him in purchasing two heavy oil refineries. That was only the beginning of a series of business moves that eventually made Husky one of Canada's largest energy companies.
By Marvin Coker
November 13, 2007
By Casey Whelan, U.S. Energy Services Inc.
November 13, 2007
Strategies to succeed in a falling market
By Jason Sagebiel, FCStone
November 13, 2007
Market volatility continues through harvest
By Sean Broderick, CHS Inc.
November 13, 2007
Distillers grains market gains momentum
In 2003, VeraSun Energy Corp. opened the nation's first 100 MMgy dry-grind, corn-to-ethanol plant in Aurora, S.D., followed by a 110 MMgy facility in Fort Dodge, Iowa, in 2005. Its third ethanol facility—VeraSun Charles City LLC, a 110 MMgy plant in Charles City, Iowa—held its grand opening celebration in August, proving that with each plant the company opens, it is fine-tuning the art of efficiency.
Administrative priorities, congressional legislation and internal priorities of individual agencies continue to escalate government funding for biofuels research and development. One agency in particular, the U.S. DOE, helped make this a banner year for monetary support to advance the biofuels industry, especially the cellulosic ethanol industry.
Tight margins for ethanol producers in the latter half of 2007 forced project developers to take a more calculated approach to raising money. EPM talks with financial analysts to discover what trends can be expected heading into 2008.
In 2007, market forces squeezed ethanol profit margins. Production records were set month after month without a similar spike in demand resulting in low prices. How far did ethanol prices fall, where will prices go in 2008 and what does that mean for the profitability of ethanol production?
By Craig A. Johnson
November 13, 2007
In December 2006, EPM reported 64 plants under construction representing 4.2 billion gallons of capacity. In June 2007, new construction peaked at 5.94 billion gallons and started to fall. New plants and expansions are still expected to be built in 2008 but at a more manageable pace.
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