IARN — Even though the current climate in Washington has the future of biofuels in limbo, there is much coming from the work done by those who pioneered this industry decades ago. By looking at more of what our crops are capable of, beyond feeding and clothing the world, we are finding more capabilities and more uses for bioengineered products. Each product that comes down the pipeline not only reduces our need for petroleum products, it also produces products that are better for the planet and doesn’t leave lasting environmental scars when we discard them.
So, even if the support for biofuels like ethanol and biodiesel looks shaky at best in the Administration, know that these industries are helping create up a brighter future for America and the world.
Doug Berven is Vice President of Corporate Affairs for POET Biorefining. POET has 33 bioprocessing facilities in eight states around the United States. They produce about three billion gallons of ethanol on an annual basis. Berven says that as significant as that is, it is only the platform from which the future of biotechnology has been launched. He gives us a broad overview of products making their way into the research arena, and what has launched and is launching in the supply chain. This is much more than fuel and feed products. He adds that agriculture is poised to handle the world’s most pressing issues.
For more on this story, visit the Iowa Agribusiness Radio Network.
Corn and Soybeans at Corteva Test Farm in Johnston, Iowa. (Photo by Dustin Hoffmann)
