National Corn Growers Association President Ken McCauley discusses corn and ethanol at a Biofuels conference held by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Innovation, Technology and Investment Will Grow Biofuels Industry and Rural America, NCGA Notes
(5-23-07)

The corn and growing biofuels industries continue to contribute to the nation’s economic stability, energy security and the revitalization of rural America, driving the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) to continue to see a bright future for renewable fuels. That was the message NCGA President Ken McCauley delivered at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce 2007 Biofuels Dialogue Series Tuesday in Washington, D.C.

“Corn growers are producing reliable, abundant, affordable and safe supplies of grain for the food on our tables and the renewable fuels in our cars,” said McCauley. “

McCauley participated in the inaugural event that brought stakeholders together to discuss the biofuels industry, technology, research and opportunities for international partnerships to meet energy needs. McCauley was joined by Jack Gleason, Administrator, Business and Cooperative Programs for the U.S. Department of Agriculture; Sara J. Banaszak of the American Petroleum Institute; Brent Erickson of the Biotechnology Industry Organization; and Jeff Webster of Tyson Foods, Inc.

McCauley discussed the importance of diversifying the United States’ alternative energy portfolio. He said NCGA has an ambitious goal of producing 15 billion bushels of corn and 15 billion gallons of ethanol by 2015, and corn ethanol will continue to play an important part in offsetting the dangerous and growing dependence on oil.

“With more investment, research and technologies, corn growers anticipate meeting the goal of 15 billion bushels of corn and 15 billion gallons of ethanol by 2015,” he said.

Last year, corn growers produced the second-highest bushel per acre average in history at 149.1 bushels per acre. Corn growers have produced the four largest crops in the past four years.

“Innovation and technological advances made in corn and ethanol production will continue to contribute to answering real world problems while generating benefits for the nation’s economy,” McCauley said. “Through increased yields, the use of biotechnology, acreage shifts, additional feedstocks and cutting-edge technologies, corn growers will meet the challenge of providing corn for feed and energy.”

McCauley also highlighted the revitalization that is taking place in rural America caused by the new demand of crops for energy. “Rural America is a land of vast possibilities and great challenges,” McCauley said. “Corn growers are part of the building blocks in rural America, and we continue to work to bring more value-added opportunities back to communities.”

McCauley told the audience that, at a time when the world’s need for energy is growing even faster than the need for food, all parties need to work together to develop these industries to satisfy growing worldwide demand for an economical and environmentally sound source of energy.