Reuters — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said on Thursday it will require fuel companies to blend slightly more biofuels into the nation’s gasoline and diesel next year, angering oil refiners who view them as a competitive threat. The announcement follows weeks of lobbying by Midwestern lawmakers and representatives of the corn industry who wanted […] Read more
U.S. EPA ups biofuel targets slightly
U.S. proposes cutting biofuels requirements due to ‘market realities’
New York | Reuters — The U.S. government on Wednesday proposed reducing the volumes of biofuel required to be used in gasoline and diesel in 2018, in a move that could mark the first step towards a broader overhaul to the controversial energy policy. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposal marked a slight decline […] Read more
Cargill to exit U.S. cattle feeding business
Chicago | Reuters — Cargill said on Wednesday it will exit the business of feeding cattle to direct capital toward other investments, the latest transformation for the global commodity trader. Minnesota-based Cargill struck a deal to sell its last two feed yards to ethanol producer Green Plains for US$36.7 million, after selling other feedyards to […] Read more
CBOT weekly outlook: Traders look for fire behind the smoke
CNS Canada –– Rumoured changes to U.S. renewable fuels policy gave corn and soybean futures at the Chicago Board of Trade a boost this week — but it will likely take confirmed fundamental news for the advances to be sustained. The unconfirmed reports circulating the market on Tuesday were that U.S. President Donald Trump was […] Read more
U.S. grains: Corn, soyoil climb on biofuels news
Chicago | Reuters –– U.S. corn futures rose on Tuesday and soyoil futures climbed about four per cent on prospects for changes to the U.S. renewable fuels policy that could boost demand for corn-based ethanol and soy biodiesel, traders said. Both markets pared gains following a White House statement that no executive order was in […] Read more
U.S. ethanol sector pumped on Trump
San Diego | CNS Canada — “Building partnerships and growing markets” was the theme of the National Ethanol Conference in San Diego — a theme members of the U.S. Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) believe aligns well with an increased focus on national security and protectionist policies under new President Donald Trump. Speaking Tuesday, the head […] Read more
U.S. ethanol expected to be competitive in 2017
San Diego | CNS Canada –– Weaker commodity prices and less international competition are expected to lend demand and profitability to the U.S. ethanol market in 2017, one analyst says. But changing political and policy environments — in the U.S. and abroad — add an element of uncertainty to the market, and the potential to […] Read more
U.S. grains: Corn up on strong exports, ethanol demand
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. corn futures touched a six-month high on Friday, buoyed by robust demand from exporters and ethanol producers, analysts said. Wheat followed corn higher in largely technical trade while soybeans eased on profit-taking. But all three markets posted weekly gains. Chicago Board of Trade March corn settled up 3-1/2 cents at […] Read more
U.S. grains: Soybeans down on profit-taking before USDA data
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. soybean futures dropped two per cent on Thursday, the steepest decline in 2-1/2 months, on profit-taking tied to lower veg oil prices and extended weather outlooks for rainfall in Argentina, traders and analysts said. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s nomination of Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt to run the nation’s Environmental […] Read more
U.S. ups biofuel requirements in win for Big Corn
New York | Reuters — The U.S. government on Wednesday announced finalized targets for biofuel use for next year, requiring that energy companies blend 19.28 billion gallons of renewables into the nation’s fuel supply. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in a statement set the target for conventional biofuel, or ethanol, at 15 billion gallons and […] Read more
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