The USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service on Nov. 8 slightly reduced its forecasts for 2024 corn production and yield. Even with those reductions, corn yields are expected to set a record at 183.1 bushels per harvested acre.
The USDA maintained its forecast for 2024-’25 corn use in ethanol production in its latest World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report, released Nov. 8. The agency increased its estimate for 2023-’24 corn use in ethanol.
Among the current primary focus areas for the U.S. Grains Council are sustainable aviation fuel, building and expanding global markets and encouraging parallels between U.S. carbon programs and others around the world.
Alto Ingredients Inc. on Nov. 6 released Q3 financial results, announcing an agreement with Vault 44.01 related to a CCS project in Illinois and indicating the company is considering idling its Idaho ethanol plant in response to falling margins.
Increasing the ethanol industry’s market by decreasing the biofuel’s carbon intensity score was a major theme at the 2024 ACE conference as key industry players spoke to the industry's challenges and opportunities.
An Iowa State University Extension tool gives a glimpse at how much climate-smart farming practices could shave off corn’s CI.
Through federal and state funding incentives, higher ethanol blend infrastructure is going in—and ethanol gallons sold are going up.
Although ethanol producers are looking ahead to carbon capture and storage as the predominant means of lowering their carbon intensity scores, measures such as energy storage, CHP and electrification can have a substantial impact on CI scores now.
September 2024
Produced by Ethanol Producer Magazine, Indigo Ag’s Vice President of Market Development, Christopher Malone, chats about what's new with Indigo Ag. Recorded live at the 2024 Int'l Fuel Ethanol Workshop & Expo in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Hosted by Anna Simet, Associate Editor. Sponsored by Indigo Ag View More.
POSTED BY: CIE Norfolk GNS LLC
POSTED BY: Ring-neck Energy & Feed, LLC
POSITION PURPOSE Responsible for the repair and maintenance of the plant equipment to ensure maximum production quantity and quality, while supporting the policies, goals, and objectives of the company. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND BASIC DUTIES • Repair or replace plant equipment or systems on a scheduled or emergency basis. • Perform preventative maintenance activities as required. • Communicate directly with production and shipping/receiving department to coordinate maintenance and repair work. • Assist with diagnosing and trouble-shooting maintenance related issues. • Assist with new installations and other projects, as requested by supervisor. • Work with engineer and external contractors to plan and implement installation of new equipment or systems. • Participate and follow all safety, health, and environmental programs. • Know and understand city, county, state, and federal regulations relating to maintenance and plant equipment, and work in a manner to ensure that these regulations are met at all times. • Work in a safe manner at all times. • Participate in programs and procedures required to ensure plant cleanliness. • Be available for overtime work on a scheduled or call-in basis as required. • Know and understand basic machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance. PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES AND REQUIREMENTS OF THIS POSITION The majority of time will be spent in the plant. All types of chemical industry equipment are used in the plant to include, but not limited to fermentation vessels, jet cookers, agitators, mixing and milling equipment, distillation columns, centrifuges and distributive control systems. May be exposed to loud noises, wet and humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic chemicals, extreme hot and cold depending on weather conditions. Must be able to climb ladders and work at elevations of 175 feet. Must be able to speak and listen clearly. Fine visual acuity to read for accuracy. Travel required or as needed. For more detail please review the ADA questionnaire on file in Human Resources. PHYSICAL STRENGTH: This job may require lifting of up to 50 pounds occasionally. INTENT AND FUNCTION OF JOB DESCRIPTIONS All descriptions have been reviewed to ensure that only essential functions and basic duties have been included. Peripheral tasks, only incidentally related to each position, have been excluded. Requirements, skills, and abilities included have been determined to be the minimal standards required to successfully perform the positions. In no instance, however, should the duties, responsibilities, and requirements delineated be interpreted as all-inclusive. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, it is possible that requirements may be modified to reasonably accommodate disabled individuals. However, no accommodations will be made which may pose serious health or safety risks to the employee or others or which impose undue hardships on the organization. Job descriptions are not intended as and do not create employment contracts. The organization maintains its status as an at-will employer. Employees can be terminated for any reason not prohibited by law.
POSTED BY: Ring-neck Energy & Feed, LLC
POSITION TITLE: Grain Operator CLASSIFICATION: Non Exempt POSITION PURPOSE Responsible for safely and efficiently loading and unloading raw materials (corn and DDG) in and out, as well as loading truck and rail ethanol. Responsible for grain bin cleaning, inventory maintenance, and general grounds upkeep. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND BASIC DUTIES • Learn and operate the computer DCS system for corn receiving, ethanol loading, and by-product loading. • Follow procedures for plant area start-ups and shut-downs. • Follow procedures for all aspects of the company safety program, including Confined space Program and Lock-out Tag-out program. • Maintain daily update of cleaning and PM maintenance checklists and routine duties calendar. • Interface with plant personnel to insure adequate corn, ethanol, and DDG movement and storage capacities are maintained. • Collaborate with maintenance department to facilitate maintenance and repair of Grain and DDG equipment. • Know and understand city, county, state, and federal regulations relating to the facility, and work in a manner to ensure that these regulations are met at all times. • Assist in maintaining the security and general upkeep of the plant and grounds. QUALIFICATIONS EDUCATION/CERTIFICATION: High school diploma or equivalent certificate preferred Associate degree or technical degree/certification preferred REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE: Experience in the operation of a dry-mill ethanol plant preferred Experience in the operation of a grain receiving facility preferred SKILLS/ABILITIES: Ability to learn and work effectively with the plant’s Distributed Control System (DCS) Punctual and timely in meeting all requirements of performance, including but not limited to, attendance standards and work deadlines Ability to maintain courteous, professional and effective working relationships with customers and employees at all levels of the organization Ability to communicate information and state problems or challenges to be resolved in a clear, concise, courteous, nondiscriminatory and professional manner and be able to provide clarification as necessary Capable of adapting, with minimal or no advance notice, to changes in how business is conducted and work is accomplished, with no diminishment in work performance PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES AND REQUIREMENTS OF THIS POSITION This position is a Monday through Friday day position; however, there may be the need for this position to fill 12 hour shifts in process from time-to-time, as required and as directed by the Operations Manager. Significant time will be spent in the plant and grains area. All types of chemical industry equipment are used in the plant to include, but not limited to fermentation vessels, jet cookers, agitators, mixing and milling equipment, distillation columns, centrifuges and distributive control systems. May be exposed to loud noises, wet and humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic chemicals, extreme hot and cold depending on weather conditions. Must be able to climb ladders and work at elevations of 175 feet. Must be able to speak and listen clearly. Fine visual acuity to read for accuracy. Travel required or as needed. For more detail please review the ADA questionnaire on file in Human Resources. PHYSICAL STRENGTH: This job may require lifting of up to 50 pounds frequently. INTENT AND FUNCTION OF JOB DESCRIPTIONS All descriptions have been reviewed to ensure that only essential functions and basic duties have been included. Peripheral tasks, only incidentally related to each position, have been excluded. Requirements, skills, and abilities included have been determined to be the minimal standards required to successfully perform the positions. In no instance, however, should the duties, responsibilities, and requirements delineated be interpreted as all-inclusive. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, it is possible that requirements may be modified to reasonably accommodate disabled individuals. However, no accommodations will be made which may pose serious health or safety risks to the employee or others or which impose undue hardships on the organization. Job descriptions are not intended as and do not create employment contracts. The organization maintains its status as an at-will employer. Employees can be terminated for any reason not prohibited by law.