Corn ethanol - Vibra Energia’s new focus in Brazil's energy market

Nov 27, 2023

Vibra Energia SA, Brazil's largest fuel distributor, is now focusing on harnessing the potential of corn ethanol, particularly in the nation's northern regions. CEO Ernesto Pousada Jr. outlined this new strategy, indicating a shift from traditional sugar cane-based ethanol, predominant in the southeast, to corn-based ethanol.

The northward expansion of corn cultivation in Brazil has led to a surge in biofuel production facilities, using corn as a primary feedstock. This development is poised to make ethanol more competitive against gasoline, especially in areas where cane ethanol has been less economically viable.

Vibra, which operates a vast network of over 8,400 gas stations, is transitioning towards renewable energy, aligning with global shifts in energy consumption. After forming a joint venture with Copersucar SA, Vibra has become a major player in the ethanol trading market.

Ethanol, a key element in Vibra's renewable energy strategy, is seen as a crucial transition fuel in Brazil's move towards more sustainable energy sources. The company's interest also extends to green jet fuel. Partnering with Brasil Biofuels, Vibra plans to introduce sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) by 2025, with an eye on both domestic use and potential exports.

This strategic shift towards corn ethanol and other renewables is part of Vibra Energia's broader vision to adapt to changing energy dynamics, providing both environmental benefits and new business opportunities in Brazil's evolving energy landscape.

Source : wisconsinagconnection

Video: Evolution of Beef Cattle Farming

The Clear Conversations podcast took to the road for a special episode recorded in Nashville during CattleCon, bringing listeners straight into the heart of the cattle industry. Host Tracy Sellers welcomed rancher Steve Wooten of Beatty Canyon Ranch in Colorado for a wide-ranging discussion that blended family history and sustainability, particularly as it relates to the future of beef production.

Sustainability emerged as a central theme of the conversation, a word that Wooten acknowledges can mean very different things depending on who you ask. For him, sustainability starts with the soil. Healthy soil produces healthy grass, which supports efficient cattle capable of producing year after year with minimal external inputs. It’s an approach that equally considers vegetation, animal efficiency, and long-term profitability.

That philosophy aligned naturally with Wooten’s involvement in the U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef, where he served as a representative for the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association. The roundtable brings together the entire beef supply chain—from producers to retailers—along with universities, NGOs, and allied industries. Its goal is not regulation, Wooten emphasized, but collaboration, shared learning, and continuous improvement.