The Effects of Expanding Ethanol Markets On Ethanol Production Feed Markets And the Iowa Economy, June 30 2001

Report produced by Iowa Departmment of Agriculture and Land Stewardship

An Analysis of the Link between Ethanol, Energy, and Crop Markets, November 2006

This study analyzes the impact of price shocks in three input and output markets critical to ethanol: gasoline, corn, and sugar. We investigate the impact of these shocks on ethanol and related agricultural markets in the United States and Brazil. We find that the composition of a country’s vehicle fleet determines the direction of the response of ethanol consumption to changes in the gasoline price. We also find that a change in feedstock costs affects the profitability of ethanol producers and the domestic ethanol price. In Brazil, where two commodities compete for sugarcane, changes in the sugar market affect the competing ethanol market.

The Long-Run Impact of Corn-Based Ethanol on the Grain, Oilseed, and Livestock Sectors: A Preliminary Assessment, November 2006

The ongoing growth of corn-based ethanol production raises some fundamental questions about what impact continued growth will have on U.S. and world agriculture. Estimates of the long-run potential for ethanol production can be made by calculating the corn price at which the incentive to expand ethanol production disappears. Under current ethanol tax policy, if the prices of crude oil, natural gas, and distillers grains stay at current levels, then the break-even corn price is $4.05 per bushel. A multi-commodity, multi country system of integrated commodity models is used to estimate the impacts if we ever get to $4.05 corn. At this price, corn-based ethanol production would reach 31.5 billion gallons per year, or about 20% of projected U.S. fuel consumption in 2015. Supporting this level of production would require 95.6 million acres of corn to be planted. Total corn production would be approximately 15.6 billion bushels, compared to 11.0 billion bushels today. Most of the additional corn acres come from reduced soybean acreage. Wheat markets would adjust to fulfill increased demand for feed wheat. Corn exports and production of pork and poultry would all be reduced in response to higher corn prices and increased utilization of corn by ethanol plants. These results should not be viewed as a prediction of what will eventually materialize. Rather, they indicate a logical end point to the current incentives to invest in corn-based ethanol plants.

Iowa Biodiesel and Ethanol Processing Plants, January 2006

Maps of Iowa's Biodiesel and Ethanol Processing Plants.

Ethanol Facility Regulatory Assistance Guide, May 19, 2008

This guide is a general outline for ethanol facilities on potential regulatory requirements and regulatory agency approval times. Much of the information is related to environmental permitting by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR). Your facility’s permit requirements may differ depending upon the specific operations planned. Information is also provided about regulatory requirements administered by the Iowa Workforce Development, Labor Services Division and the Iowa Department of Public Safety, Fire Marshal Division. Requirements established by local units of government may also apply. Be sure to contact the city in which the facility will be located or the county if the facility is not located in a city, to identify these requirements.

Iowa Biodiesel and Ethanol Processing Plants, July 1, 2008

Iowa Grain Facilities Map

Iowa Biodiesel and Ethanol Processing Plants, January 2010

Maps of Iowa's Biodiesel and Ethanol Processing Plants.

Farm scale alcohol production : the Iowa State University ethanol distillery, 1981.

This publication was prepared to describe how the Iowa State University distillery has been operating, including information on distillery size, equipment, tanks, condenser, heat exchanger, pumps and the process. Photos and diagrams are also included.