Ethanol's greenhouse gas Impact debated

Sep 05, 2023

A recent draft "commentary" by the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Science Advisory Board (SAB) has put the spotlight on corn ethanol and its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. These findings could influence decisions related to biofuel blending volumes in the renewable fuel standard (RFS).

In their communication to EPA Administrator Michael Regan on Aug. 21, the SAB voiced concerns: “Current science suggests that corn ethanol might not offer significant climate advantages over traditional fuels like gasoline or diesel.” This stance, predictably, hasn’t gone down well with the biofuels industry.

The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) in particular has been vocal in its disagreement. Labeling SAB’s conclusions as “ill-informed” and the result of a non-transparent process, the RFA has raised questions about the thoroughness of SAB’s research. They argue that the board may not have considered all available scientific data.

This disagreement highlights the complexities involved in evaluating biofuels' environmental impact. As the debate intensifies, a comprehensive, unbiased review becomes ever more essential for both ecological and industrial interests.

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.