Dr. Bill Rooney, Texas AgriLife Research plant scientist, gave an overview of energy sorghum research work. Energy sorghum has a lot of promise in the future, but there are challenges, including the development of an efficient conversion system, he said.
(Photo by Blair Fannin, AgriLife Communications)
(Left) Dr. Gale Buchanan, U.S. Department of Agriculture undersecretary for research, education and economics and
Dr. Liu Yanhua, vice minister, ministry of science and technology, Peoples' Republic of China, sign a collaborative agreement for biofuels research. The agreement establishes the intent to cooperate in establishing processes and infrastructure for conversion of sweet sorghum and other feedstocks to ethanol. This agreement represents an important step forward in the collaboration of some of the world's top scientists to contribute to alternative energy research through the development of alternative feedstocks.
(Photo by Blair Fannin, AgriLife Communications)
David Fleischaker, Oklahoma secretary of energy, was the keynote luncheon speaker Tuesday. Fleischaker discussed the future of biofuels. He began his discussion by talking about the importance of looking ahead, future generations "as we change our habits and look at alternative forms of energy."
- BLAIR FANNIN
b-fannin@tamu.edu
The International Conference on Sorghum for Biofuel began Tuesday and continues through this week, bringing together researchers and industry partners.
"Texas provides an ideal location for us to discuss how the agriculture and energy sectors are partnering to produce a new generation of renewable energy for Texas, the nation and the world," said Dr. Mark Hussey, interim vice chancellor for agriculture and life sciences at Texas A&M University and director of Texas AgriLife Research.
"Whether it's for grain, sugar or a high-tonnage source of lignocellulose, most of you in attendance at this conference are committed to making sorghum the preferred dedicated feedstock for production of ethanol and other liquid fuels."
"I think we are on the brink of the one of the greatest challenges in history," said Dr. Gale Buchanan, U.S. Department of Agriculture undersecretary for research, extension and economics told attendees. "It's going to take everybody working together."
Sorghum is a viable solution as work continues to develop a "cleaner, more secure source of energy," Buchanan said.
More than 200 international experts from government, academia, the private sector and the agricultural community are attending the conference at the Omni Houston Hotel. U.S. co-sponsors of the event include Texas A&M University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Research, Education and Economics (REE) mission area and the National Sorghum Producers.
Other co-sponsors include Brazil's Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuaria, the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics, and Tsinghua University, which is located in the Peoples' Republic of China.
At the workshop, attendees will learn more about key scientific advances, economics and sustainable production and utilization of sorghum as a bioenergy crop. Participants will visit Texas A&M in College Station Thursday, learning more about ongoing research involving bioenergy feedstock and development led by Texas AgriLife Research scientists. Site visits also will be available to Jennings, La., on Friday where Verenium Corporation has broken ground for a 1.4-million-gallon-per-year demonstration cellulosic ethanol facility, the first of its kind in the United States.
-BLAIR FANNIN
b-fannin@tamu.edu
Dr. Mark Hussey, interim vice chancellor for agriculture and life sciences at Texas A&M University and director of Texas AgriLife Research. (Photo by Blair Fannin, AgriLife Communications)
(Left) Dr. Gale Buchanan, U.S. Department of Agriculture undersecretary for research, education and economics discusses sorghum as a biofuel feedstock with USDA's Merle Pierson. (Photo by Blair Fannin)
(Left) Dr. Mark Hussey and Dr. Bill Dugas, deputy director of Texas AgriLife Research, discuss the morning program. (Photo by Blair Fannin)
Sorghum's potential as a biofuel crop is the focus of the International Workshop on Sorghum for Biofuels at the Omni Houston Hotel starting Tuesday.
Sorghum is drawing more interest as a bioenergy crop due to its drought-tolerant traits and high-yield potential.
"U.S. consumers know that we need to develop new sources of energy to meet our transportation needs," said Dr. Gale A. Buchanan, U.S. Department of Agriculture Undersecretary for Research, Education and Extension. "Growing sorghum for bioenergy production can give us a source of renewable--and profitable--energy right here at home."
Other co-sponsors include Brazil's Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuaria, the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics, and Tsinghua University, which is located in the Peoples' Republic of China.
At the workshop, attendees will learn more about key scientific advances, economics and sustainable production and utilization of sorghum as a bioenergy crop.
Participants will visit Texas A&M in College Station Thursday, learning more about ongoing research involving bioenergy feedstock and development led by Texas AgriLife Research scientists. Site visits also will be available to Jennings, La., on Friday where Verenium Corporation has broken ground for a 1.4-million-gallon-per-year demonstration cellulosic ethanol facility, the first of its kind in the United States.
-BLAIR FANNIN
b-fannin@tamu.edu
Sponsors:
Check back for live updates from the International Conference on Sorghum for Biofuel Aug. 19-22 in Houston, Texas.
-BLAIR FANNIN
b-fannin@tamu.edu
International Conference on Sorghum for Biofuel
Omni Houston Hotel, Houston, Texas
August 19-22, 2008
The 2008 Texas A&M Beef Cattle Short Course concluded today at noon with nearly 1,500 registrants. It's the largest attended short course. News media, to follow up on topics and tidbits for stories, contact Blair Fannin at b-fannin@tamu.edu. Also, we'd like to know if these blog entries were useful to you. Send us an email.
-BLAIR FANNIN
b-fannin@tamu.edu
Dr. Ron Gill, Texas AgriLife Extension beef cattle specialist, gave a presentation this morning on early weaning calves. It's not for everyone and certainly not for the absentee cattle operator, he said. However, it does have a lot of merit in keeping female cattle in top shape, according to Gill. Dr. Bruce Carpenter, AgriLife Extension beef cattle specialist, also gave a presentation on calving strategies to reduce cow costs - a good practice today factoring in the high cost of feed.
-BLAIR FANNIN
b-fannin@tamu.edu
The trade show inside G. Rollie White Coliseum draws beef producers by the hundreds to view the latest equipment and technology.
More than 1,400 enjoyed Monday night's prime rib dinner at the 2008 Texas A&M Beef Cattle Short Course.
- BLAIR FANNIN
b-fannin@tamu.edu
The most animated speaker at Monday's general session was Dr. Steve Amosson, Texas AgriLife Extension Service economist. Amosson broke down today's complex energy world and its impact on beef production. Three critical components impacting commodity prices are oil prices, exchange rates and speculative funds. He also cited from a recent report conducted by the Agricultural and Food Policy Center at Texas A&M.
-BLAIR FANNIN
b-fannin@tamu.edu
Dr. Mark Hussey, interim vice chancellor and dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Texas A&M University and director of Texas AgriLife Research, opened the general session Monday at the beef short course.
"High energy, commodity prices, food safety and fluctuations in weather, these will make discussions with your colleagues over the next two to three days very timely," he said. "We are reminded on a daily basis how fortunate we are to live in a state, nation with access to safe, affordable, high-quality food and beef products."
-BLAIR FANNIN
b-fannin@tamu.edu
Dr. Mark Hussey (Photo by Jerrold Summerlin, AgriLife Communications)
The 2008 Texas A&M Beef Short Course was dedicated to Dr. Zerle Carpenter, who served as director of Texas AgriLife Extension Service (the Texas Agricultural Extension Service during Carpenter's tenure) for 15 years. Prior to that, he was head of the Department of Animal Science at Texas A&M University and also served in teaching roles. His wife, Lou, and two daughters were on hand. Dr. Larry Boleman, associate executive vice president for operations at Texas A&M University, presented the recognition plaque to Carpenter prior to the start of Monday afternoon's general session.
- BLAIR FANNIN
b-fannin@tamu.edu
Much of the afternoon discussion was focused on high input costs or the three f's (fuel, feed and fertilizer). Ron Gill, Texas AgriLife Extension Service beef cattle specialist, said ranchers have gotten lazy over the past few years, enjoying high calf prices. They've also done a lot of wasteful driving, many in pickups they purchased that were too expensive and too big for the operation.
"You would be amazed at how much nonproductive driving we've done when there was cheap energy prices," he said. He also referenced to the many large pickup trucks parked inside the Texas A&M parking garage and how many would have bought a diesel pickup at a time when diesel was .70 cents a gallon more than gasoline.
"How many of us love driving those diesel pickups? More than necessary."
-BLAIR FANNIN
b-fannin@tamu.edu
Dr. Ron Gill, Texas AgriLife Extension Service beef cattle specialist. (Photo by Blair Fannin, AgriLife Communications)
General session attendees before the start of the afternoon program. (Photo by Jerrold Summerlin, AgriLife Communications)
Lunchtime photos from the Texas A&M Beef Short Course (Blair Fannin, AgriLIfe Communications)
11:45 a.m. Update: Quick question: Can you safely say what cows have calved and haven't throughout your operation? Recordkeeping is becoming even more crucial during these times of high production costs, said Dr. Jason Banta, AgriLife Extension beef cattle specialist. How can you get ahead? If you have a computer, build a simple spreadsheet program and list all of your cows and keep accurate records. Record which cows have calves and which that haven't. If you don't have a computer, grab a Big Chief tablet and start keeping meticulous records. This data will be valuable, helping a producer know what animal isn't being profitable to an operation.
- BLAIR FANNIN
b-fannin@tamu.edu
11 a.m. Update: Driving along Texas roadways you often see big trucks. It's a Lone Star staple. Dr. Jason Banta, Texas AgriLife Extension Service beef cattle specialist, gave tips on reducing input costs and one of those was the type of pickup you drive as part of a cattle operation.
The price of fuel this year has been out of sight and beef producers who hook up to a Gooseneck cattle trailer less than two times a year and drive a 3/4-ton pickup may not be doing it cost effectively. Banta said it might make more economic sense to purchase a bumper-pull trailer for an operation and drive a 1/2-ton truck. He suggested contracting out someone to haul full loads of cattle, reducing capital outlay for an expensive 3/4-ton pickup and Gooseneck trailer.
"Everybody is going to want a Gooseneck, but a bumper pull might make more sense to move a bull or transport just a few calves. It makes more sense to hire somebody for full loads," Banta said. "You can eliminate that high-dollar 3/4 ton pickup. If you're only using that Gooseneck only once or twice a year, does it make sense to run that 3/4 ton pickup up and down the road versus the half-ton and get better mileage?"
-BLAIR FANNIN
b-fannin@tamu.edu
Dr. Jason Banta, Texas AgriLife Extension beef cattle specialist, provides tips on dealing with high input costs at the 2008 Texas A&M Beef Cattle Short Course. (Photo by Blair Fannin, AgriLife Communications)
9:30 a.m. Update: Attendance will reach near 1,400 individuals here at the 2008 Texas Beef Cattle Short Course. The vendor area at G. Rollie White Coliseum was already buzzing this morning with new products and talk of the cattle business.
-BLAIR FANNIN
b-fannin@tamu.edu
(Left) Rusty Alexander of Alexander Livestock demonstrates a working chute line to participants. (Photo by Blair Fannin, AgriLife Communications).
