07/04/07 Non-corn ethanol

When most people think of ethanol production, they think of corn. I'm Jeff Keane; I'll be back in one minute to give you some other options. Corn and ethanol seems to be two words that are most often thought of when talk turns to biofuels. The main reason for this line of thought would be because corn has been used and promoted more than any other sources for biofuel production. I think with new and old technologies, the right economic stimulus and a whole lot of cooperation from the oil industry and manufacturers dependent on fuel consumption there is little doubt the U.S could become less oil dependent using our soil. Technologies do exist, even though they may not be economically viable today that can produce ethanol from almost any kind of wood or fibrous material. There are some very interesting choices to utilize for ethanol production. One of these that cattle producers would like to see used is mesquite. Something over 50 million acres of this noxious weed are taking over pastures in Texas, plus large areas in Oklahoma, New Mexico and Arizona. Harvesting mesquite for ethanol production would help increase livestock grazing potential, still leave sections to be rotated for wild life cover and it would require no fertilizer for growth. Personally, I don't think mesquite should get all the attention, I propose using sagebrush as an ethanol producer and I just happen to know where quite a lot could be found. I'm Jeff Keane with the Northwest Ag Information Network. Wallaces Farmer May 2007