Drought Consequences to Biofuels Unknown Right Now

a national information resource for value-added agriculture

Contact
Us

Directories &
State Resources

Renewable
Energy

Business
Development

Markets
& Industries

Commodities
& Products

Browse

Announcements

Cities Developing Urban Agriculture Codes

Urban agriculture has become increasingly popular in recent years as a way to deal with vacant properties, revitalize neighborhoods, and provide job skills and nutrition to local residents struggling with poverty and a lack of access to fresh produce.

In Austin, Texas, a working group of the Sustainable Food Policy Board is meeting to clarify and update city code related to urban farms, livestock, size of farm, employees and dwellings, according to the Austin Chronicle.

The working group has been holding public sessions to gather input from urban farmers and community members about pending updates to the urban farm ordinance.

In April 2013, the Flint Farmers' Market reported that the Detroit City Council adopted the city's first urban agriculture zoning ordinance recognizing agriculture as a legitimate land use and setting standards for it.

Other cities working to update or create urban agriculture codes include Boston, Massachusetts;
Fort Collins, Colorado; and Portland, Oregon.

For more information, see USDA's National Ag Library webpage on Urban Agriculture.

Home » Media Room » Drought Consequences to Biofuels Unknown Right Now

Audio provided as a service to farm broadcasters by the Agricultural Marketing Resource Center.

Audio with Dr. Robert Wisner, Iowa State University Extension Ag Economist.

Suggested Lead: Earlier this month - USDA dropped its corn production forecast by 20-bushels per acre. Weekly crop condition reports continue showing the corn crop condition has deteriorated more and more during this drought - which Iowa State University Extension Ag Economist Dr. Robert Wisner says is as extensive as the drought in the 1930’s…tape

Cut #1        :37            O.C…”year ahead.”

And Wisner says for ethanol that means reduced processing margins, increased prices and some cut back on corn processed for ethanol. Everything seen with the corn crop right now - Wisner says the drought won’t be a positive influence on the general profitability of the biofuels industry. He says there are two key variables that will influence the industry’s bottom line…tape

Cut #2        :29            O.C…”octane enhancement.”

The other factor - according to Wisner - is the excess RINs - Renewable Identification Numbers - that accompany each gallon of ethanol produced…tape

Cut #3        :18            O.C…”of ethanol.”

Wisner says it’s a wait and see situation to see how it all unfolds and its impact on ethanol prices and processors. Monthly ethanol and biodiesel profitability charts are available in the Renewable Energy Newsletter of the Agricultural Marketing Resource Center at Iowa State University at www.agmrc.org.

###

Partially Funded by USDA Rural Development
...and justice for all.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Many materials can be made available in alternative formats for ADA clients. To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call 202-720-5964.

The names, words, symbols, and graphics representing Iowa State University are trademarks and copyrights of the university, protected by trademark and copyright laws of the U.S. and other countries.