Senate Examining New Ethanol Production Bill
The U.S. Senate will consider a bill that would require the production of 15 billion gallons of renewable fuel from feedgrain-based ethanol by 2015.
An estimated 5.4 billion bushels of corn, whcih is roughly equal to 43% of the entire U.S. corn crop, would be needed to produce the 15 billion gallons proposed in the bill.
NCBA is providing information to Congress about the negative consequences S. 987 could have on beef producers; the impact of a 15 billion gallon renewable fuel standard for feedgrain-based ethanol could dramatically increase costs of gain and pressure feeder cattle and calf prices.
Policy approved by NCBA members earlier this year opposes additional mandates for grain-based ethanol. Beef producers support a sunset on current ethanol subsidies and greater emphasis on renewable fuels derived from sources other than feedgrains.