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Agribusiness Economics News and Features

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTISTS STUDY IMPACT OF CORN-BASED ETHANOL PRODUCTION

Agribusiness Economist, Dr. Silvia Secchi, is part of a team of environmental scientists and statisticians taking a closer look at the costs and benefits of corn-based ethanol production. The researchers are looking into the overall effects of ethanol production on such things as crop prices, crop choices, land usage, water quality, and regional economies. To learn more about the project, follow the link below:

"Impact of Corn-Based Ethanol Production Studied," [The Saluki Times, 02/18/2009]

DEPARTMENT WELCOMES NEW FACULTY MEMBER

This fall, the Department of Agribusiness Economics welcomed Dr. Silvia Secchi to its ranks. Secchi will focus her teaching and research in the area of energy economics and policy. Secchi, a native of Italy, made her way to the United States approximately eight years ago and has been working on energy research at Iowa State University. She has brought with her three research projects. The first project looks into the benefits, environmental and economic, of adding perennial plants to corn and soybean fields. The second project evaluates water quality in an Iowa watershed, and the third project examines the costs and benefits of ethanol production in rural areas.

· "Agriculture Welcomes Two Faculty Members" [The Saluki Times, 08/12/2008]

SCIENTIST SUGGESTS ETHANOL BY-PRODUCT COULD BE USED IN LIVESTOCK FEED

When biomass is transformed into fuel, it creates a byproduct called "glycerol." At present, there is no real value for this "glycerol." Dr. Amer AbuGhazalah, an animal scientist at SIUC, proposes that the glycerol could be an acceptable livestock feed supplement for corn. AbuGhazalah stated that he believes that livestock feed could be comprised of approximately 15% glycerol, 85% corn, with no adverse effects on dairy cow health and milk production. AbuGhazaleh is working with Mr. Chet Stuemke at the SIUC Dairy Center to test such a mixture. Agribusiness economist, Dr. Phil Eberle, is working on the economics side of the equation to determine how much money dairy farmers could save by using the corn/glycerol mixture. With the every-increasing price of corn, this research could prove to be a major costs savings to dairy producers, as well as generate a value-added use for crude glycerol. Follow the link below to learn more.

· "Ethanol By-Product Might Feed Livestock" [SIUC Press Release, 04/30/2008]

ECONOMIST INVESTIGATES IMPACT OF FUTUREGEN PROJECT

Dr. Ira Altman, Agribusiness Economist, states that the county that lands the new FutureGen project could score a big boost to their economy. FutureGen is a project in the works that hopes to produce a low-pollution energy from coal. Both Mattoon and Tuscola are hoping to land the new project. Altman states, "Adding 510 jobs to a 7.4 million-job economy (for the state of Illinois) is only a .007 percent increase. But the economic effects are very significant for the counties."

· "SIUC Study Assesses FutureGen Impact," [Southern Spotlight, 09/26/2007]

ETHANOL IS HERE TO STAY!

Dr. Matthew Rendleman states that "Thirty-four percent of this country's corn crop now goes to the category that includes the manufacture of ethanol." Rendleman, an agribusiness economist, believes that ethanol is actually a "maturing industry." It has been around for decades, but further technological advancements could help push it to the forefront of alternative fuels once again.

· "Ethanol Remains a 'Maturing Industry'" [SIUC Press Release, 09/06/2007]

PROFESSOR WORKS WITH DOCTORAL STUDENT TO CREATE COMPUTER-AIDED MODELING PROGRAM

Relationships between economics factors and environmental results

Dr. Luba Kurkalova (Assistant Professor) is working with Mark E. Carlos (doctoral student, ERP) to create a computer-aided modeling program to provide analysis of the relationships between economics factors and environmental results. Carlos spent most of the year collecting data from the lower Illinois River Basin to construct the model. Once completed, the tool could be used by farmers to calcuate the effects their tilling practices will have on the environment. To learn more about this interesting project, access the following story.

· "Modeling Program to Track Farm Tilling Practices" [SIU Press Release, 12/12/2006]

AGRICULTURE STUDENTS HAVE GOOD JOB PROSPECTS

Good Job Prospects for students in Agribusiness Economics

Dr. Kim S. Harris, Associate Professor of Agribusiness Economics, predicts a fertile career field for college seniors and those coming up behind them; particularly in the areas of food, agriculture and natural resources. Harris cites a national study projecting job openings at roughly 52,000 through 2010, with only an estimated 49,300 graduates to fill those positions. In addition, Ag business executives believe they may lose nearly half their work force to retirement within the next 10-15 years. Dr. Harris stated that also translates into good job advancement opportunities. Where are the jobs? Read about this and more in the following press release.

· "Agriculture Students Will Find Fertile Career Fields" [SIU Press Release, 01/17/2006]

PROFESSOR VISITS AFGHANISTAN TO ASSIST WITH REBUILDING EFFORTS

Dr. Phillip R. Eberle and Dr. Oval Myers travel to Mazar, Afghanistan

Dr. Phillip R. Eberle (Associate Professor) and Dr. Oval Myers (Professor Emeritus) went to Mazar, Afghanistan as part of a join effort withthe University of Illinois and Northwest Frontier Agricultural University in Peshawar, Pakistan aimed at rebuilding Balkh University's agricutlure programs. The two SIU professors took part in planning efforts for classroom modernization, course offerings, and teacher training. In the future, additional teams will visit to offer training in course design, teaching methods, and evaluation techniques for faculty. Additional information can be found in the press release below.

· "Professors Assist University's Rebuilding Efforts" [SIU Press Release, 06/23/2005]