Some good news for a change - biodiesel

[billvon 3,116]

>what percent of US farmland would need to be used for every gas
> station were to pump 85% ethanol gasoline. I can't remember the
> figure but I think it was impossible.

Something like 60% of the arable land in the US would have to be used if we are to fuel today's vehicles and aircraft solely with E85. However, E85 is just one part of an energy strategy that should combine nuclear power, griddable hybrids, fossil fuels, biofuels, and conservation. Our fuel mix should include:

oil (from tar sands as well as wells)
ethanol (from plant waste as well as corn etc)
biodiesel
natural gas (from landfills, wells and industrial processes)
electricity (for charging griddable hybrids)

[jumpinfarmer 0]

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With ehanol you get about 2.8 gallons fuel and 15 lbs of feed from every 56lb bushel of corn.

Interesting. How does that break down by acre?

About 420 gallons of ethanol and around four and a half tons feed per acre using the national average yield for grain corn.

An interesting fact is that the oil in the corn adds nothing to the production of ethanol and in the neer future will be used to produce bio diesel. For the record corn contains about 7% oil.

[jumpinfarmer 0]

Actually the land idling programs have gone by the wayside. Todays farm programs actually encourage production if anything.

[mr2mk1g 10]

Not in Europe yet... but don't get me started on the C.A.P.