The Ethanol sector’s rapid ascent from a cottage industry to a robust source of renewable fuels has been called the greatest success story in modern agriculture. It’s easy to see why.
Ethanol is a significant market for U.S. corn, consuming more than 2.3 billion bushels in 2007 to produce 6.5 billion gallons of renewable fuel. But ethanol’s value goes far beyond its role as a major use of corn. Ethanol plants have helped rejuvenate rural communities across the country by creating high-paying jobs, boosting local tax revenues and creating partnership opportunities for local businesses. Additionally, ethanol helps the environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and displacing the harmful additive MTBE from reformulated gasoline.
NCGA serves as a leading voice for ethanol on Capitol Hill and across the country. In addition to influencing energy policy, NCGA continues to educate consumers about the benefits of using ethanol.
There’s no question ethanol is here to stay. And as the industry continues to grow at a tremendous pace, NCGA will continue to enhance and expand opportunities for corn growers within this invaluable market.
More than EthanolEthanol isn’t the only product manufactured by ethanol plants. A coproduct of the ethanol process is distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS), a high-protein, high-energy livestock feed. Though DDGS have long been fed to beef and dairy cattle, swine and poultry producers are beginning to see the value of including DDGS in their feed rations.
NCGA will continue to work with ethanol and feed industry leaders, livestock nutritionists and others to ensure ethanol producers continue to have a market for this valuable coproduct.
