Ethanol Production: Terms and Tips
By William Olson, Specialty Crop Manager

Biofuels are catching a lot of attention from farm publications to Wall Street investors. With the market growing rapidly, what do producers need to think about as they plan to supply the ethanol industry with corn?

Ethanol production is increasing at a very rapid pace, with output of 2-plus billion gallons in 2002 and an estimated 4-plus billion gallons in 2006. Following are some terms that are used in the ethanol industry, along with information about hybrid selection and Hoegemeyer's testing plans.

High Extractable Starch. This term is used by the wet milling industry and was used by the ethanol industry a few years back to classify hybrids. It means the total amount of starch that is easily pulled from the kernel in processing. This classification is still used for corn hybrids in the wet mill industry as a way to calculate yield and efficiency for a starch mill processor. The dry mill ethanol industry is moving away from this classification and is testing instead for the fermenting capability of corn.

Highly Fermentable. This is a new classification for dry mill ethanol plants that gives a more realistic measure for the total amount of ethanol that a bushel of corn will produce. The ethanol industry is starting to use this classification to encourage the producer to supply corn hybrids that consistently show an above average score for fermentability.

Producers should start their selection process by first choosing hybrids that fit their farming practices and yield goals; for the hybrids' agronomic and trait characteristics; and, finally, hybrids that will perform best for ethanol production.

We see small increases in ethanol yield among existing hybrids and, at this time, producers are paid for the number of bushels produced. However, quality is also a very important factor for ethanol production efficiency and yield. Maintaining mold-free, high-quality corn helps a processing plant maximize its output of ethanol.

Hoegemeyer will participate in the Monsanto Processor Preferred¨ program that tests for high fermentable corn hybrids. We will also test other key hybrids through an independent lab for starch and fermentablility.

By late fall, after sampling and testing are complete, we will have answers to how key Hoegemeyer varieties will perform for the ethanol processor. If you have questions, please contact your local DSM or William Olson at the home office. Phone: (402) 654-3399, or w.olson@hoegemeyer.com.

Processor Preferred¨ is a registered trademark of Monsanto Technology LLC, 2006 Monsanto Company.