Colorado agriculture contributes over $40 billion dollars to the state’s economy every year. In 2016, exports accounted for $1.7 billion, with nearly half of the exports going to our neighbors in Mexico and Canada. Directly and indirectly, food and agriculture products in the state support over 800,000 jobs totaling $38 billion in wages.
The United States is a major player in the world corn trade market, with between 10 and 20 percent of its corn crop exported to other countries. As an industry, U.S. agriculture is a bright spot regarding trade. Since 1960, we have generated a trade surplus and exported more than we have imported! In fact, the U.S. food and agricultural industry supports more than 21 million jobs from coast to coast, provides more manufacturing jobs than any other U.S. manufacturing sector, and accounts for 20 percent of the U.S. economy.
Trade agreements enable countries to trade more fairly. For agriculture this includes expanding exports of American agriculture products, providing a better exchange and cooperation on agricultural biotechnology, and dispute resolution between parties. CCPC has developed relationships with two key organizations that help them in the realm of trade: U.S. Grains Council and U.S. Meat Export Federation.
We bring public awareness to remarkable initiatives such as ethanol development, livestock feeding and the exporting of grain and beef to help feed and fuel the world.
Colorado’s #1 customer of corn (both grain and silage) is livestock and poultry. In fact, over 65% of the agricultural cash receipts in the state are attributed to livestock and livestock products. And, in terms of revenue generated, Colorado’s top five agricultural products are cattle and calves, dairy products, corn for grain, greenhouse and nursery products, and hogs.
For these and a multitude of other reasons, including the fact grain corn is a high-energy feed source for livestock and poultry, CCPC focuses on building markets for livestock and poultry and supports various research projects through Colorado State and other land grant universities.
International partnerships like U.S. Meat Export Federation and those closer to home are equally valuable as we seek ways to help promote beef, dairy, and pork consumption. At the state level CCPC, continues to work with Colorado Beef and Colorado Pork Producer Councils, Dairy MAX, Colorado Egg Producers, and Colorado Livestock Association.
Clean-burning, renewable ethanol made from grain corn is a win-win-win solution for human health, the environment, and our local and national economy.
Aside from ethanol’s value as a fuel, valuable co-products come from the production process. From distillers grains, also known as DDGs, to corn oil and corn syrup to carbon dioxide these result in corn grind for producers.
Ethanol is a vital market for grain corn and one of the most important advancements for the industry here in Colorado and across the nation. CCPC invests in the renewable fuel industry (agricultural crops converted into fuels such as ethanol and biodiesel) through projects geared to promote and expand market opportunities, and especially to educate Colorado drivers they have a readily available, clean, renewable energy choice at the pump with high octane fuels like Unleaded 88/E15 and E85.
The higher the octane rating or octane number, the higher the performance of a fuel. Ethanol’s octane rating of 112 is significantly higher than straight gasoline’s octane rating of 85. Minimum octane number requirements prevent engine knocking and maintain drivability.
More than 97 percent of U.S. gasoline contains ethanol, typically in a mixture called E10, which is ten percent ethanol and 90 percent gasoline. In addition to preventing engine knock, octane oxygenates the fuel, burns cooler, and reduces air pollution.
The Look for the Blue Hose campaign aims to increase the use of ethanol throughout the state.
When you’re through, let us know in the comments how many co-products come from this process.
We’re guessing you’ll have the right answer!
