September 25, 2012
4th Annual Biofuels Tour Special Edition
The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) recently hosted the 4th Annual Biofuels: Science and Sustainability Tour, an event which brought Washington, DC policymakers and regulators to Iowa for a firsthand look at the Iowa renewable fuels industry and agricultural community in action. The three-day educational Tour provided participants an opportunity to engage in substantive dialogue with renewable fuels experts, agriculture leaders and state and university officials on important policy matters, regulatory concerns and technical issues facing the renewable fuels industry. In addition, the Tour gave participants a hands-on experience with some of the most exciting breakthroughs taking place in Iowa’s most dynamic sector of the economy.
The Tour was hosted and sponsored by Iowa State University Bioeconomy Institute, Iowa Renewable Fuels Association, National Biodiesel Foundation, Renewable Fuels Foundation, Golden Grain Energy, Iowa Corn Growers Association, Renewable Product Marketing Group, Sukup Manufacturing, and Iowa State University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
Not surprisingly, the drought of 2012 and its impacts was a major area of discussion throughout the Tour. Other areas of focus included the Renewable Fuels Standard, E15, tax policy, biodiesel and advanced biofuels, the Farm Bill, food and fuel, distillers grains, seed research, crop yield trends, improved environmental practices in agriculture and renewable fuels production, biomass crops, the future of cellulosic ethanol, and the impediments to consumer fuel choice posed by the federal petroleum mandate.
The Tour included visits to Renewable Energy Group headquarters in Ames, IA, Iowa State University’s Sorenson Farm and Biocentury Research Farm in Boone, IA, Kevin Jurgens’ family farm in Thornton, IA, Soy Energy biodiesel refinery in Mason City, IA, Golden Grain Energy ethanol refinery in Mason City, IA, Sukup Manufacturing in Sheffield, IA, the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines, IA, the Pioneer DuPont Beaver Creek Research Center in Johnston, IA, the Pioneer DuPont Carver Center in Johnston, IA, and the Magellan Refined Products Terminal in Des Moines, IA.
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| Tour participants at Iowa State University’s Sorenson Farm, pictured in front of a plot of giant miscanthus. |
Tour participants represented the following offices: U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Energy; Congressmen Dan Lungren (CA), Jim McDermott (WA), Tom Latham (IA), Steve King (IA) and Bruce Braley (IA); Senators Herb Kohl (WI), and Tom Harkin (IA); and the Congressional Research Service.
Monday, August 13
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Welcome dinner and opening presentation by
IRFA Executive Director Monte Shaw.
To view his presentation click here. |
Tuesday, August 14
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IRFA President and REG Vice President of Manufacturing Brad Albin
gave an overview of Renewable Energy Group (REG), the largest biodiesel producer in the nation. For Albin's presentation click here. |
Tour of Renewable Energy Group (REG) Headquarters and Research Laboratory in Ames, IA
Participants learned a great deal about the biodiesel process and the biodiesel business during the visit to REG. |
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Tour of ISU Sorenson Farm in Ames, IA
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Tour participants received a hands-on experience at
Iowa State University's Sorenson Farm with plots of row crops, cover crops and biomass crops. |
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Iowa State University Professor and Bioeconomy Institute Director Dr. Robert Brown presented on Biomass to Biofuels: Advanced Conversion Concepts.
For Dr. Brown's presentation click here. |
Participants also heard from the following ISU faculty:
Iowa State University Researcher Tristan Brown spoke on Regional Determinants of Cellulosic Biofuels Profitability. To view his presentation click here.
Iowa State University Soil Scientist David Laird presented information on Sustained Integrated Bioenergy-Agronomic Systems. For Laird's presentation click here.
Iowa State Professor Dr. Elwynn Taylor discussed Trends in Climate and the impact of climate trends on agriculture. For Dr. Taylor's presentation click here.
Tour of ISU Biocentury Research Farm in Boone, IA
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Participants toured Iowa State University's Biocentury Research Farm to learn about next-generation advanced biofuel processes. |
Tour of Kevin Jurgens’ Family Farm in Thornton, IA
Tour participants received a first-hand experience touring an Iowa farm and learning about the latest practices for raising crops and livestock.
Wednesday, August 15
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National Biodiesel Board (NBB) Director of Federal Communications Ben Evans (pictured on the right) gave a biodiesel policy update presentation.
To view Evans' presentation click here. |
Tour of Soy Energy Biodiesel Refinery in Mason City, IA
Participants had the opportunity to see a multi-feedstock biodiesel production facility in action at
Soy Energy, a 30 million gallon per year biodiesel plant.
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Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) Vice President of Research and Analysis Geoff Cooper presented on the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) and the 2012 drought.
For Cooper's presentation click here. |
Tour of Golden Grain Ethanol Refinery in Mason City, IA
Participants became eyewitnesses to the ins and outs of ethanol production when they toured Golden Grain Energy, a 110 million gallon per year ethanol plant.
Tour of Sukup Manufacturing in Sheffield, IA
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Participants received a personal tour of Sukup Manufacturing's grain bin, grain dryer, material handling equipment, and pre-engineered metal building production facilities from CFO Steve Sukup. |
Dinner at the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines, IA
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Participants heard from
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey on the strength and resilience of Iowa agriculture at the Iowa State Fair. |
Thursday, August 15
Tours of Pioneer Hi-Bred Carver Center and Beaver Creek Research Center in Johnston, IA
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Tour participants learned about the latest advancements in seed technology and the future of cellulosic ethanol production during tours of
Pioneer Hi-Bred's research facilities.
For Pioneer's presentation click here. |
Tour of Magellan Midstream Partners Refined Products Terminal in Des Moines, IA
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Magellan Senior Government Affairs Representative Tom Byers presented information on pipeline and terminal basics and highlighted Magellan's investments in renewable fuels distribution infrastructure. To view Byers' presentation click here. |
Participants enjoyed an up-close look at in-line rack blending during the tour of the Magellan terminal. |
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4th Annual Biofuels: Science and Sustainability Tour
Hosted and Sponsored by:
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