Ag Facts

New USDA research says that the energy balance of corn ethanol is a return to the system of 165 percent;  meaning there is a 65 percent energy gain from using ethanol, which includes all energy costs from fertilizer, seed production, machinery production to farm fuel and transportation. 

SOURCE: Illinois Corn Association Meeting, 2007, as reported by Mike Plumer, Extension Educator, University of Illinois Extension

Ethanol update: Currently National production is 7.1 billion gallons/ year.  Illinois has three new plants going on line by Feb. 2008 and two more by Dec. 2008.  Order of completion:  Central Illinois Energy-Canton, Center Ethanol-St. Clair, Marquis-Putnam, Patriot-Henry, and Illinois River-Ogle.  Nationally, ethanol production will be 13.4 billion gallons by Dec. 2008. 

SOURCE:  Illinois Corn Association Meeting, 2007, as reported by Mike Plumer, Extension Educator, University of Illinois Extension