Discussing New Research At CUTC

At the recent Corn Utilization and Technology Conference our very own David Loos, Technology and Business Development Director, moderated a panel titled, "Life Cycle Analyses Applications to New Technologies."  One of the issues that takes up a lot of his time is ethanol.  And ethanol was a big part of the conversation at the CUTC as you might imagine.  I spoke with David during a break.

Dave says that new technologies that are increasing production while reducing inputs are proving that corn can be very sustainable.  I asked him what he's working on that needs to become better known by the public.  He says that science is "on our side" on issues like yield increases, inputs, green house gas emissions from growing corn or producing ethanol.  He says it's our job to make sure the research gets done, is documented and delivered to audiences like EPA.  He pointed to new research by the University of Illinois-Chicago which found that energy consumption by ethanol plants is down about 30 percent.  I'll have more on that in another interview with one of Dave's panelists.  Dave also talks about his goal of having EPA recognize corn ethanol as an advanced biofuel.  The research and science backs it up.  The challenge is getting regulators to recognize it!

You can listen to my interview with David here: download (mp3).

Here's a link to a bunch of photos from the conference: CUTC Photo Album

Posted by Chuck Zimmerman
AgWired