Dec 15, 2005 12:00 PM,
by Joe Vansickle, Senior Editor (952) 851-4670; jvansickle@primediabusiness.com
A new Web site on distiller's dried grains with solubles (DDGS) has been launched on a new University of Illinois (U of I) Extension Web site at http://ilift.traill.uiuc.ed/distillers/.
“The Web site is a must for livestock producers, veterinarians, consultants and feed industry personnel,” says Mike Hutjens, U of I Extension dairy specialist. “With over 10% of the U.S. corn crop being processed for ethanol production, corn distiller's grains continue to be a valuable feed by-product, a key to profitable ethanol production, important to U.S. corn producers and a source of nutrients for livestock.”
Hutjens reminds that ethanol reduces dependence on foreign oil and burns cleanly.
“Every bushel of corn produces 2.8 gal. of ethanol and 18 lb. of distiller's grain,” he says. “By 2010, one projection predicts that over 7 million gal. of ethanol and 18.7 million tons of distiller's grain will be produced in the United States.”
The site includes a list of midwestern distiller's grain sources, and contacts for current prices and by-product availability.
There was a lot to be positive about in the pork industry the last week of October. I realize it is difficult to be optimistic when you are still losing $25 to $30/head. I also realize that positive news at this point could be as dangerous as it is welcome. But facts are facts, and we must recognize them.
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As I begin this week's column, I"m reminded of two different "flip side" statements that may help characterize the topic at hand. The first is the old Archie Campbell schtick - "That's good - no that’s bad," which I have used before. The second reflects President Truman's frustration with economists' incessant use of the qualifier - "on the other hand" - to introduce the contrary opinion on a given topic. President Truman once demanded in his usual colorful language: "Will someone please find me a *!&%$*?>
