biofuels

A recently-released policy paper by Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy is questioning the United States’ biofuels policy, and rightly so. The paper, “Fundamentals of a Sustainable U.S. Biofuels Policy,” challenges the economic, environmental and logistical basis for ethanol production.

SwineCast 0358 Show Notes:

• Update on the Verasun bankruptcy and this link to Iowa State's regularly updated website on the situation 
• Chicago traders discuss recent market volatility and how producers should prepare to deal with risk in the future
• President of the Farm Credit Council discusses availability of credit within the system and why its in better shape than some commercial competitors

SwineCast 0281 Show Notes:

• Paul Jeske at Pigski reports his experience with the new upper midwest strain of PRRS his practice is investigating
• Iowa Select's Joe Kerns shares important pricing knowledge and the possibility of another marketing opportunity
• Iowa State's fuels and feeding info
• Exploring feedstock alternatives in Canada
• Manager's minute with Sarah Fogelman... more than filling an opening
• USDA says the next decade should be plenty positive for ag 

SwineCast 0256 Show Notes:

• Mo Agastino, Senior Risk Management Consultant at Farms.com Risk Management, shares some advice on how to prepare for the unexpected
• Let's proactively manage odor before our neighbors and our government teach us how to
• Tom Elam, FarmEcon.com, explains the economics of biofuels 

SwineCast 0250 Show Notes:

• Bioconference update - fungi is your friend
• NAIS hurdles
• Liz Wagstrom looks at the NAIS swine program
• Scott Patton of Ipsos Reid talks with Bruce Cochrane about a recent Canadian consumer food safety and quality survey

SwineCast 0244 Show Notes:

• Hytek buys Springhill Farms slaughter plant in Manitoba
• Dr. John Clifford on traceability
• Groups oppose extension of Renewable Fuel Standard (read grain-based ethanol)
• Feed, fuel, carbon credits with Dan Murphy
  

SwineCast 0192

• Tyson hooks up with Conoco to produce ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel from animal waste. More such partnerships out there according to David Kaluzny with the National Renderer's Association.
• Bruce Cochrane talks with animal handling expert Temple Grandin.
• HSUS says Cargill 'phasing out' gestation crates. Cargill disagrees.
• CEO of Validus discusses growth of on-farm assessments.
• "Building A Civilized Workplace" author Robert Sutton. Link to "Jerk" test. Link to book.