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Storm forces US Ethanol Cuts, Signaling Threat of Gas Crunch

Some US ethanol producers are cutting back production as soaring natural gas prices amid bitterly cold temperatures in parts of the country are becoming “untenable” for the biofuel makers. The reduction for ethanol is signaling a potential squeeze on gas supplies just as the Arctic blast is set to raise demand from consumers to heat their homes.

During an extreme cold spell in February 2021, production curbs at biofuel plants were among the first signs of a gas crunch that ultimately sent energy bills soaring in Texas. At that time, some ethanol producers also sold gas back to the grid. So far this week, there are no reports of those kinds of sales.

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USDA Feb Crop Report a WIN for Soybeans + 1 Year Trade Truce Extension

Video: USDA Feb Crop Report a WIN for Soybeans + 1 Year Trade Truce Extension


USDA took Trumps comments that China would buy more U.S. soybeans seriously and headline news that the U.S./China trade truce would be extended when Trump/Xi meet in the first week of April was a BIG WIN for soybeans this week! 2026 “Mini” U.S. ethanol boom thanks to 45Z + China’s ban of phosphates from Feb. – August of 2026 will not help lower fertilizer prices anytime soon! 30 mmt of Chinese corn harvest is of poor quality and maybe a technical breakout in wheat futures.

*Apologies! Where we talk about the latest CFTC update as of 10th Feb 2026, managed money funds covered their net short position in canola to the tune of +42,746 week-on-week to flip to net long 145 contracts and not (as we mistakenly said) +90,009 wk/wk to 47,408.