Farmers are calling for higher ethanol blends in today’s fuel

An ethanol group out of Nebraska says year-round sales of E15 could turn numbers around. They are calling on the Administration to change the Clean Air Act, saying it is long overdue.

“By not allowing that 20–30 years ago in the thinking, we ended up in the situation where we are now. Of course, with the petroleum competitor, who does not want to lose that five percent market share, and they want to fight tooth and nail for that, which I understand. If I were a CEO of Exxon, I’d feel the same way. But I’m not CEO of Exxon. I’m a corn farmer from Nebraska, and my concern lies with my friends and my neighbors, and how we can keep more young farmers in business,” said Janten Bensel with the Nebraska Ethanol Board.

Regular unleaded gas, like most cars use today, is an E10 blend. The group argues that if that went up to 12, it could help consume an extra billion bushels of grain each year. Other renewable fuel groups are calling on Congress to write into law year-round sales of E15. It is an issue they could tackle when returning to Washington next month.

Related Stories
In today’s Performance Through Partnership feature, brought to you by Golden Harvest, we meet farmer Kevin Siffring of Surprise, Nebraska.
Chris Weaver, a sixth generation farmer in Finksburg, Maryland, talks about his successful relationship with his partners on the Golden Harvest Agronomy Team for his soybean and corn operation.
Save this list to have on hand when you hit your local grocery store, farmerfarmers market, or CSA all season long!
We can thank farmers for ALL our meals, but especially during Thanksgiving! Let’s learn how some Thanksgiving dinner staples are grown, and which states produce the most.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Trade uncertainty—especially regarding soybeans—continues to weigh on future outlooks, even as farm finances and land values remain resilient.
Sen. Deb Fischer reintroduces the HAULS Act to update hours-of-service exemptions and definitions affecting livestock and agricultural haulers. She joins us on Market Day Report to share more about her proposed legislation.
Strong crush demand and rising ethanol production are pressuring feedstocks, as traders monitor storage risks and supply chain uncertainty and await the upcoming January WASDE report.
The U.S. Meat Export Federation plans to expand its global market presence in the New Year and says it is focusing its appeal on the growing middle class worldwide.
New World Screwworm cases in Mexico, including one within 200 miles of the U.S. border, are adding pressure to livestock markets and trade decisions.
Dr. Seth Meyer Concludes Service; Dr. Justin Benavidez Appointed USDA Chief Economist