tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235419263414453422.post1692569439326108181..comments2024-02-23T01:30:06.101-08:00Comments on Early Warning: Biofuels versus Animal FeedStuart Stanifordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07182839827506265860noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235419263414453422.post-66020831453124086612011-03-30T19:50:04.010-07:002011-03-30T19:50:04.010-07:00One third of the volume of the corn mash (and othe...One third of the volume of the corn mash (and other feedstocks) is used for animal feed and the changed composition often makes it a better feed. Most of it is produced for cattle, which can't digest starch well (80% passes through and it produces acidosis in the animal). The yeast only consume converted starch to make alcohol and carbon dioxide, and their dead bodies increase the protein content. This is not an endorsement of industrial corn production.Tim Auldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05478402140321092291noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235419263414453422.post-43475774405744925352011-03-26T05:41:32.510-07:002011-03-26T05:41:32.510-07:00It seemed like your estimate the other day of cere...It seemed like your estimate the other day of cereal equivalent of biofuel production was using global production; the REN21 report you linked to says that over a third of global ethanol fuel production is from Brazilian sugar cane. So that shouldn't be counted against global cereal production. <br /><br />I know you've recognised the distinction before, and in this case it doesn't affect your main point that corn ethanol is a bad idea; but I think it's relevant to the broader discussion of biofuels and food prices. It's also relevant in particular to Tamino's analysis of the FAO food price index, since both the Sugar (a biofuel feedstock) and Dairy (feed intensive agriculture) price indices increased <i>before</i> the July 2010 increase in cereal prices. <br /><br />That said, it's just nice to see someone trying to address the signal/noise ratio in these issues for a change.tomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05573034555597189021noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235419263414453422.post-37231927285547950362011-03-25T14:19:00.534-07:002011-03-25T14:19:00.534-07:00Ah, good point Greg. I don't think it would c...Ah, good point Greg. I don't think it would change the picture qualitatively, but it is an adjustment that should be made.Stuart Stanifordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07182839827506265860noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235419263414453422.post-26040112855832427032011-03-25T13:53:07.707-07:002011-03-25T13:53:07.707-07:00There may be an element of undercounting in the &#...There may be an element of undercounting in the 'feed' numbers.<br /><br />The Des Moines Register, via <a href="http://www.theoildrum.com/node/7718#comment-782663" rel="nofollow">TOD commenter, Seraph</a>:<br /><br /><i>The Agriculture Department may tweak the wording in its closely watched monthly reports on grain supplies in response to concerns by ethanol producers who say the numbers unfairly fuel criticism of the industry. ...The complaint centers on the estimates of how much corn is used for ethanol production and how much goes into livestock feed.<br /><br /> ...One-third of every bushel of corn used in ethanol production winds up as livestock feed, either distillers grains or a gluten product, according to the Renewable Fuels Association.</i><br /><br />Off topic as it's not a grain, but the same applies for palm oil. The left-over palm kernel cake is used as a feed.<br /><br />This is a double whammy for poor people (and tropical forests). They have to bid for food (survival) against a process which provides two sources of revenue.Greghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11939046017258198038noreply@blogger.com