Updated estimates positive for ethanol but concerns remain
 
The Environmental Protection Agency’s updated regulations implementing the expanded Renewable Fuels Standard include an important credit for distillers grains, a feed ingredient produced by corn ethanol plants, the Nebraska Corn Board said.
 
“We have said for many years that distillers grains is an outstanding feed ingredient that is often overlooked when it comes to corn ethanol production,” said Jon Holzfaster, a farmer director of the Nebraska Corn Board. “We are pleased to see EPA recognize the positive addition distillers grains brings to the table.”
 
EPA noted that new research available since the initial proposal indicates that distillers grains is more efficient as an animal feed than what it had originally assumed. This means less corn is needed for animal feed. “Therefore, in our analysis for the final rule, domestic corn demand and exports are not impacted as much by increased biofuel production as they were in the proposed analysis,” EPA said.
 
Research into the efficiency of distillers grains was supported, in part, by the Nebraska Corn Board.
 
Still, the Nebraska Corn Board said concerns remain.
 
“While we appreciate that EPA updated its models to use more current production standards for both corn and ethanol, since the efficiency of both have increased significantly over the last several years, corn-based ethanol continues to be penalized by shaky science when it comes to land use,” said Kelly Brunkhorst, the Nebraska Corn Board’s director of research.
 
With the land use change theory included, EPA estimated that corn-based ethanol reduces greenhouse gases 21 percent over gasoline. Without that penalty, corn ethanol would achieve a 52 percent reduction.
 
“While the rules are workable and provide some stability in the marketplace now, the thought that they include unscientific theories on land use change and other questionable assumptions is concerning,” Brunkhorst said.
 
The Nebraska Corn Board also noted that while growing the ethanol industry is important on many fronts, from environmental to energy security, EPA now needs to allow the marketplace to grow.
 
“We need higher ethanol blends, such as e15, available on a wide scale, and we need to continue to push for e85 and flex fuel vehicles,” Holzfaster said. “Without these advancements, ethanol will run out of space in the marketplace and we won’t be able to replace significant amounts of petroleum fuel in the future.”



Obama: May Drop Cap-and-Trade Provision in Climate Bill

President Obama acknowledged this week that Congress may have to abandon carbon trading measures to force an energy bill through to his desk, and said cap and trade might have to be considered separately if the government is to make headway on energy reform.

"We may be able to separate these things out. It's conceievable that that's where the Senate ends up," the President explained, at a town hall session in Nashua, New Hampshire. "But the concept of incentivising clean energy so that it's the cheaper, more effective kind of energy, is one that's been proven to work, and it's a market-based approach."

He added that if his Administration is serious about climate change, then they may have to take a serious look at nuclear.

With China and India relying heavily on coal plants, he argued that the U.S. has to invest in technology that it can franchise to other countries if it is to help make a difference globally.

The markets need a "price on pollution" to equalise the cost of fossil fuels and clean energy, he continued, arguing that it would take up to forty years before renewable energy sources could compete with polluting technologies without factoring in the cost of pollution.

"No matter how good the technology is, if you're not factoring in the soot that is going to be put in the atmosphere, then coal is going to be cheaper for a long time," Obama warned.

In defending the need for cap and trade, Obama recalled the sulphur dioxide emissions trading initiative that was imposed under title IV of the 1990 amendments to the Clean Air Act. This was a successful attempt to curb the acid rain problem that damaged trees and lakes in the North Eastern states, and north of the Canadian border.


 
USDA Ends National Animal ID Program

USDA announced this morning that it will scrap the National Animal Identification System (NAIS) and instead will opt to develop "a new, flexible framework for animal disease traceability in the United States, and undertake several other actions to further strengthen its disease prevention and response capabilities."  After listening sessions in 15 cities in the U.S., USDA Sec. Tom Vilsack said USDA will "revise the prior policy and offer a new approach to animal disease traceability with changes that respond directly to the feedback we heard."  The framework provides the basic tenets of an improved animal disease traceability capability in the United States.

USDA’s efforts will:
    * Only apply to animals moved in interstate commerce;
    * Be administered by the States and Tribal Nations to provide more flexibility;
    * Encourage the use of lower-cost technology; and
    * Be implemented transparently through federal regulations and the full rulemaking process.

One of USDA’s first steps will be to convene a forum with animal health leaders for states and Tribal Nations to initiate a dialogue about the possible ways of achieving the flexible, coordinated approach to animal disease traceability we envision. Additionally, USDA will be revamping the Secretary’s Advisory Committee on Animal Health to address specific issues, such as confidentiality and liability.

    Although USDA has a robust system in place to protect U.S. agriculture, USDA said ina release, "with today’s announcement, the Department will also be taking additional actions to further strengthen protections against the entry and spread of disease. These steps will include actions to lessen the risk from disease introduction, initiating and updating analyses on how animal diseases travel into the country, improving response capabilities, and focusing on greater collaboration and analyses with States and industry on potential disease risk overall."



How One Woman Changed Cattle Care for a Nation
HBO Special Highlights the Unique Impact of Temple Grandin on Beef Production
 
This Saturday, February 6, when HBO’s Temple Grandin airs, farmers and ranchers across the country will be tuning in to honor Temple Grandin’s work in improving the care of cattle. Grandin, living with autism, revolutionized livestock handling by tapping into her ability to see the world in a different way to develop a deeper understanding of animal behavior.
 
 “There’s not a rancher in this country that isn’t aware of her work. We have all been influenced by Temple,” says Clint Peck, Director, Beef Quality Assurance at Montana State University. “There is no question her work has helped us all understand more about our animals and how to handle them in a caring and humane manner.”
 
The beef checkoff-funded Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) program sets cattle handling and beef quality standards that are followed throughout the beef production process—from farm to fork—to ensure cattle are receiving proper care.
 
“Temple’s insight into animal behavior and low-stress handling is the foundation of the BQA assessment, which is the scoring system we use to verify cattle are handled properly. Her contributions are monumental,” said Ryan Ruppert, director, Beef Quality Assurance, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. Ruppert attended the Denver premiere of HBO’s Temple Grandin on Wednesday night as a guest of Grandin.
 
“I thought the movie did a great job capturing the challenges Temple overcame to improve livestock care in food production. What shocked me is how different the beef industry looks today than it did in the 60s and 70s as a result of her perseverance. She is a true pioneer,” said Ruppert.
 
Grandin’s work has touched every segment of beef production, from the farm to the feedlot and, ultimately, the processing facility.
 
"Temple Grandin has been a critical resource to Cargill, which has allowed us to continually improve our animal handling facilities and our animal welfare programs," said John Keating, President, Cargill Beef.  Dr. Mike Siemens, Cargill Leader Animal Welfare and Husbandry, added, "Temple's insight and understanding of cattle behavior is truly unique. Her ability and expertise in facility design have been invaluable to the beef industry."
 
Cargill Beef is the second largest processor in North America and is one of the largest commercial cattle feeders in the United States. Cargill Beef sells fresh meat and other products to virtually every major chain, wholesaler and distributor in the country.
 
“Our facilities have been designed with Dr. Grandin’s philosophy in mind, and over the years we have continued to improve on this low-stress handling approach. We know these processes work based on how calm and quiet the cattle stay and ultimately how much easier it is for us to get our work done,” said Patsy Houghton, Ph.D. and owner of Heartland Cattle Company in Nebraska.  
 
Heartland Cattle pioneered the heifer development business in the beef industry.  Heartland’s heifer development and research center has bred more than 71,000 heifers and weaned more than 120,000 calves since its inception in 1990.  
 
“When cattle arrive at one of our feedyards, they are moved through areas that are signature Temple Grandin, like the curved chute, that use the animals’ natural instincts to minimize stress. In fact, several of our processing facilities were built under her direction,” said Mike Thoren, president and chief operating officer for JBS Five Rivers Cattle Feeding, LLC. “Her insights and empathy into animal behavior revolutionized the cattle industry and continue to ensure cattle are handled humanely.”  
 
Employing more than 650 professionals, JBS Five Rivers is the largest cattle feeder in the world with a combined feeding capacity of more than 839,000 head of cattle with locations in Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Wisconsin, and Ohio.
 
Grandin’s unique understanding of animal behavior is used to teach low-stress handling techniques in feedlots, auction markets, and on farms and ranches across the country through the BQA Stockmanship and Stewardship program.
 
“Temple has been a wonderful advocate for animals and animal agriculture by improving the overall management and well-being of livestock. We take it to the next step and teach cattlemen how to effectively implement procedures to take advantage of the principles she has promoted throughout her career,” says Ron Gill, Associate Department Head for Extension, Animal Science Department, Texas AgriLife Extension. Gill travels the country training livestock handlers in BQA-approved cattle handling techniques.
 
“We’ve always cared for our cattle but Temple has given us more insight into their behavior. Personally, I have more confidence in how I handle animals because of her work,” says Peck.



NEBRASKA’S 2008 ORGANIC PRODUCTION SURVEY HIGHLIGHTS
 
The 2008 Organic Production Survey counted 162 Nebraska farms and ranches that were either USDA certified organic or exempt from certification because their sales totaled less than $5,000, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, Nebraska Field Office.  These operations comprised 146,188 acres of land, of which 51,015 acres were harvested cropland and 69,866 acres were pasture or rangeland.  
 
Nebraska organic product sales in 2008 totaled $48.6 million, including $26.5 million in crop sales and $22.1 million in sales of livestock, poultry, and their products.  Organic production expenses totaled $32.9 million, or $204,508 per farm.  Most Nebraska organic producers sold their products locally and regionally, with  54 percent of sales taking place less than 500 miles from the farm.  
 
The 2008 Organic Production Survey is the first organic production and practices survey conducted on a national level by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). The survey showed the nationwide farm value of organic production to be nearly $3.2 billion on the 14,540 estimated farms. The 2008 Organic Production Survey provides acreage, production, and sales data for a variety of organic crop and livestock commodities as well as information on organic production expenses and organic production and marketing practices.



Five Incumbents Have Filed for the 2010 Upper Big Blue NRD Board of Directors Election
 
The following five incumbents have filed for the Upper Big Blue NRD Board of Directors election: Larry K. Moore (Ulysses, Sub-district 1), Bill Stahly (Milford, Sub-district 3), Michael D. Nuss (Sutton, Sub-district 5), Kenneth L. Regier (Aurora, Sub-district 6), and Linda L. Luebbe (Beaver Crossing, At-Large).  Incumbents  have until February 16th to file to run in the May 11th Primary Election for one of nine seats on the Upper Big Blue NRD Board of Directors.  Non-incumbents  must file by March 1st.  Candidates must be a registered voter residing in their Sub-district.  The General Election is November 2nd.  One director will be elected this year from each of the eight Sub-districts and one At-Large.  
 
NRD Board of Directors serve four-year terms.  They set policy and approve major projects, and the NRD staff carries out the policies and manage the affairs of the District on a day-to-day basis.  Board members can expect to spend 3 to 4 days per month on District business.  If you have further questions regarding this upcoming election, please contact John Turnbull, General Manager of the Upper Big Blue NRD at (402)-362-6601.  



UNL Hopes to Tap Into Algae as Energy Source

Algae may be the next frontier for biofuels, and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln is poised to be among the nation's leaders in this research.  Part of the greenhouse complex at UNL's Beadle Center will be revamped into an algal biofuels research facility this year. Scientists will begin growing algae in small containers, then move on to five-foot long bags and, finally, a "raceway" -- a small, oblong pool -- as they seek answers to two key questions:
-- What algae cultivars are best suited for biofuel development? There are at least 200,000 different algae, and ultimately genetic modification may play a role in engineering algae to produce the most lipids -- specifically, triglycerides -- possible for conversion to fuel.
-- How can the triglycerides be most cost-effectively extracted from the algae to produce biofuel?

UNL already has received $1.9 million in federal funding for the research. It's also in line for tens of millions more in funding for several related research angles, including one that would couple this new research with UNL's already robust corn-ethanol byproducts research.  "There are multiple initiatives percolating," many of them involving partnerships that include several universities as well as private companies, said Paul Black, a lipid biochemist who's part of UNL's team.  UNL is positioned to be among the research leaders in this burgeoning field because it has renowned scientists in the areas of algal virology, algal molecular biology, lipid biochemistry, plant genetic engineering and more, said Black, who heads UNL's Department of Biochemistry.

Algae have appeal for biofuels because they have the potential to produce much more biomass per unit than other crops. The oil content in algae can comprise 30 to perhaps 50 percent of its weight, said George Oyler, a research associate professor in biochemistry hired last fall to coordinate these efforts.  Potentially, algae could yield up to 6,000 gallons of oil per acre annually. That compares to 43 gallons for soybeans, 86 for sunflowers and 171 for canola.  Algae also do not compete with food crops; do not require premium farmland; can grow on waste, salty and brackish water; and are not as nutrient-intensive as other biofuels crops.

It's worth noting that much of the oil now being pumped from the ground likely originated with algae, said James Van Etten, plant pathologist.  However, the challenges of turning algae into economically viable biofuels are significant.  "Major breakthroughs in both engineering and biology are required," said Oyler, who noted that currently a gallon of algal biodiesel would cost $10 to $30 per gallon.  "This is sort of like starting with corn 2,000 years ago," said Van Etten, who will be studying the threat of pathogens to algae. "In many respects, that's where we stand right now with algae."

As exotic as algae research may seem, Van Etten predicted that some long-standing agricultural principles will come into play. For example, algae producers may find success in rotating crops, growing different kinds of algae from year to year. "That's Agronomy 101," Van Etten added.  One key to making algal biofuels economically viable will be to develop co-products from the manufacturing process, said Ed Cahoon, a lipid biochemist. For example, it may be possible to develop livestock feed, just as distillers grains have resulted from corn ethanol production.

In fact, algae production could fit in well with Nebraska's synergistic corn-ethanol and livestock industries, Oyler said. Algae grows faster with increased carbon dioxide. It might be possible to route carbon dioxide produced during corn-ethanol production to nearby algae raceways. The manure produced by cattle, which are fed wet distillers grains produced during ethanol production, could in turn be used to fertilize algae.  "If you can join these plants with algae production, you're growing algae faster and using up some of that carbon dioxide," Oyler said.  "You're taking first-generation biofuels (ethanol) and making advanced biofuels. Economically, that's a big deal," Oyler said.

"You're not getting down to carbon neutral," Black said, "but you're certainly reducing carbon footprint."  Ultimately, algae may be grown on sheets of cellulosic paper, where it could be possible to produce as much as five times more algae than in ponds.  Researchers predict spinoffs from the algae research could result in new drugs to treat cancer, diabetes and obesity.  Black predicts some tangible, modest results in five to 10 years, with large scale production of algal biofuels likely another 10 years after that.