Deceit and make-believe are what you get when reading the most recent editorial from the Inforum’s, Ross Nelson. His latest piece titled, “Ethanol? I’ll supply the shovels,” not only shows his true lack of understanding about the home-grown biofuel, but his lack of effort and professionalism in finding facts. Nelson tears down America’s only readily available replacement to gasoline with figures that bear no sources or reference, but his own simple ideas and opinions.

Nelson writes, “Ethanol takes almost as much energy as it gives.” Actually, according to the EPA, ethanol production has a positive net energy gain of 2.3 to 1. And research from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln shows that for every gallon of petroleum used in the ethanol production process, 13 gallons of renewable fuel are produced.

Next, Nelson says the new blend E15 could damage vehicles. He fails to offer any specific examples but claims it could be so. Too bad he didn’t report that the EPA has done rigorous testing and approved E15 as being a safe blend for cars and light trucks 2001 or newer. Another study includes testing from the company Ricardo Inc. showing that E15 would be safe for vehicles produced in 1994 or newer.

Now this is where Nelson goes a bit over the edge as he writes, “If they want to help me shovel my long rural driveway after a snowfall because my snowblower won’t run right on mandated E15, come on down. I’ll supply the snow shovels.”

NEVER has E15 been talked about or proposed as a mandate. NEVER has the blend ever been approved for anything other than cars and light trucks. So why exactly would you be putting it in your snow blower?  And when did the word mandate ever occur in the EPA decision?

Nelson and others can continue attempting to twist and turn their false numbers and arguments against ethanol however they would like. But the facts are facts and the truth is that ethanol is lessening our countries’ dependence on foreign oil according to the EIA, making our nation more energy secure and providing new green jobs for more hard-working Americans.  

It’s a good thing you have a supply of shovels Mr. Nelson, because you’re going to need them to scoop your piles of misleading bull crap away from the truth.

The week of Thanksgiving reminds us all of the many things we have to be thankful for: family, friends, health, homes, jobs, etc. In addition there is something most Americans take for granted but also couldn’t live without, food.

With a growing disconnect between population and farming, more and more people have no idea where their food comes from. They simply expect grocery stores to have what they want, when they want it and at a reasonable price. And thanks to American agriculture, they usually do.

Thousands of hardworking Americans spend their days by growing, raising and sharing the nutrients that will be soon be eaten by consumers around the world. Not only do we have the farmers and ranchers to thank, but also scientists, inspectors, retailers and transporters of food. These people provide our nation with the safest, most inexpensive, nutritious and widely abundant food supply in the entire world.

So when you sit down to eat on Thanksgiving or any other time for that matter, give food thanks among the many other things you have to be thankful for. Because that turkey, potatoes, corn, cranberries, bread and wine didn’t just magically appear on your plate.

Corn Comments Podcast with Jim Woster.

There’s a lot to be thankful for this year in agriculture. Good weather has blessed our state with good yields as South Dakota farmers are set to share their second largest corn crop on record helping to provide food, feed, fuel and fiber to people and livestock around the world.

Don’t forget about GrowingOn 2012 Part 1 – “Managing Crop Risks in Volatile Times” with Iowa State University’s,  Steven Johnson. Events will take place at 6 sites in South Dakota including: Aberdeen, Watertown, Huron, Mitchell, Yankton and Sioux Falls. There is no cost but pre-registration is required. You can do so by clicking here.

Anybody else tired of volatile oil prices and the effect they have on prices at the gas pump, grocery store and other transported goods? The price of a barrel of crude oil was back over $100 this week which means the cost of gas, food and many other goods will continue to climb as we approach the holiday season.

But what if there was a way to fight back against oil prices? Well there is, by choosing ethanol and other renewable fuels, consumers can not only save money, but lessen our countries dangerous dependence on foreign oil from countries that literally hate American freedoms. Think about it, no wars have been fought over ethanol! By choosing domestic biofuels, more young men and women will have the opportunity to work in green energy and less will be put in harm’s way overseas.

After swiping your card at the gas station, have you ever wondered where that money goes? Well about 50% of it leaves the country as America imports around half of its oil consumption. By choosing ethanol, your dollars stay right here in the USA stimulating green job growth and agriculture. In just five short years, ethanol has already helped our country reduce its percentage of imported fuel by 10%. American ethanol reduced our dependence on foreign oil by 445 million barrels in 2010 alone.

So how can we use more ethanol? First off, E10 has been approved for all cars and trucks. Next, the new blend E15 has been approved by the EPA for cars and light trucks 2001 and newer. Another way we can increase ethanol usage is to make sure you know whether or not your vehicle is flex fuel. If so, you can use ethanol blends like E30, E40 and all the way up to E85.

(For the flex fuel owners, click here for a complete map of ethanol blender pump stations)

So when fueling your ride, be sure to consider where your money is going. Is your hard earned dollar going to foreign lands or staying in the rural U.S.? Buy American, choose ethanol.

As the sun sets on the 2011 corn harvest in South Dakota, the work is far from over. While some may be putting equipment away, a number of farmers utilize their resources by baling corn residue for bedding, feed or even biofuels. Another option is to graze livestock in those fields. Consider it the second harvest.

By late fall in South Dakota most pastures have been grazed meaning it’s time to bring the livestock herds home for the winter. But a number of farmers take advantage by grazing their corn field(s) either close to home or a pasture allowing their ruminants to clean up dropped ears and chopped stalks. As a bonus, those cows leave behind their own organic nutrients enriching the soil.

Farmers who raise livestock know spring can be a muddy time and the need for plentiful bedding always comes in handy during calving season.  Corn stalk bales stand up well to mud and wet snow but can also serve as a forage source. Corn residue is not a highly nutritious feed source but it mixes together well with other products and is very inexpensive.   

The newest use of corn residue is biofuels. Cellulosic ethanol from corn stover has become a reality in both South Dakota and Iowa as this process continues to become additionally efficient and cost-effective. This innovation is needed in order to reach the advanced biofuel amounts in the Renewable Fuel Standard providing American motorists with an additional source of clean-burning fuel from leftovers found in the field.

With that said, protecting and caring for the soil is always at the top of any farmer’s agenda. Grazing and gathering of corn stover need to be done in a conservative manner leaving behind plentiful amounts of crop residue to protect and enhance the soil. That residue provides cover preventing erosion and adds to the soil’s organic matter increasing water and nutrient holding capacity.

Corn Comments Podcast with Jim Woster.

Just how much does corn have to do with the price of the food you buy? Well consider this, when corn is $7/bushel (which it is not), an 18oz box of corn flakes only  has around 10 cents worth of corn in it. So what exactly is the driving up the cost of food? 

Learn more by reading the blog post, ”Not so costly corn.”

Also, don’t forget to mark January 7th, 2012 on your calenders for the South Dakota Corn Growers 26th Annual Meeting which will be held at the Sioux Falls Convention Center. We have another great line-up of speakers with excellent evening entertainment this year. John Mueller’s “Winter Dance Party” showcases some of the biggest hits of the late 1950′s. The trend-setting music of rock ‘n’ roll pioneers Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper lives on through this highly acclaimed tribute.