The Rural Voice, 1979-11, Page 36Grain alcohol could drive tractors Mailbox of the month
Grain once formed the basis of powerful
mixtures brewed in the bootleggers' stills,
but someday it may be used to form the
basis of a "power alcohol" fuel.
Alexander Allen, marketing manager for
a power alcohol marketing firm in Texas,
said distillers can turn grain into alcohol to
be used as an alternative form of energy - a
form that could drive their tractors and
other farm equipment.
Mr. Allen said any plants with a high
level of sugar or starch could be used in the
power alcohol to run his farm machinery,
feed his animals and "have enough energy
to sell the city folk."
Mr. Allen estimated a 100 -acre spread of
corn could produce 25,000 gallons of
alcohol a year.
The alcohol could then be mixed with
gasoline to produce gasohol to meet his
own needs, with the leftover fuel available
for sale.
Mr. Allen explained the reason this idea
hasn't caught on yet is that gasoline is still
a relatively low price in North America.
He estimated it would cost from $1.05 to
$1.60 a gallon to produce power alcohol,
compared to less than a $1 a gallon for
gasoline in the U.S. Mr. Allen predicted a
greater interest in the alternate fuel as our
gasoline prices rise.
Mr. Allen said in Canada, wheat is still
selling too well for people to consider
turning it into gasohol. However, it could
happen if the price of gasoline goes up and
the price of wheat drops under $2 per
bushel.
Mr. Allen said most of the interest in
gasohol in the U.S. to date has been from
agribusiness which can afford the initial
capital and act as a central collection point
for the grain.
Mr. Allen predicted the fuel, already in
use in Nebraska, will be used regularly
within a five to 10 year period.
(Located in Ashfield Township
Huron County)
Good management
cuts costs
In the search for ways to reduce the
energy costs of grain drying, farmers may
have overlooked some of the obvious places
to cut costs.
"Many farmers are removing more
moisture from the grain than is neces-
sary," says Ralph Clayton, Ontario Min-
istry of Agriculture and Food agricultural
engineer. "For the marketplace, you don't
have to dry corn below 15.5 percent."
Some research indicates that grain can
be stored successfully at moisture levels of
more than 20 percent up to two months if
the temperatures remain at about 5°C
(45°F) or below.
"You don't have to dry to 15.5 percent
for storage if you have an aeration system
to keep the grain cool, " says Mr. Clayton.
Overdrying reduces the quality of the
grain. Brittle kernels are more susceptible
to damage during handling. Overdrying
can cause stress cracks in kernels. Re-
search shows that overdrying reduces the
palatability of stored grain.
"The biggest drawback of overdrying is
cost. Overdrying corn to 13.5 per cent
instead of 15.5 per cent can cost producers
from 10 to 12 cents per bushel in time and
money," says Mr. Clayton.
The extra costs begin with the drying
process itself. The cost of reducing the
moisture from 15.5 to 13.5 per cent is about
two cents per bushel. Drying the extra two
per cent is expensive because the remain-
ing moisture in the kernel is more difficult
to remove.
PG. 34 THE RURAL VOICE/NOVEMBER 1979
Producers must also consider the cost of
the extra time it takes to dry corn to 13.5
per cent moisture. The loss of time is
estimated to cost between one and two
cents per bushel.
Grain drying consumes about seven per
cent of the energy used in primary
agriculture. Good dryer management com-
bined with energy saving systems will
reduce costs and conserve energy.
T. B. ALLEN LTD.
Feed
and
Fertilizer
CaII .... 482-3363 523-9606 523-4414
ALLBORO FARMS
have all requirements for • Elevating
• Drying and Storing your Corn
CaII .... 523-4470
Londesboro, Ontario