Des Moines, Iowa and Champaign,
Illinois
June 18, 2008
DuPont today announced it has received an external
independent validation from the
Illinois Crop Improvement Association (ICIA) which shows
that its Ethanol Yield Potential (EYP) near infrared (NIR)
calibration reliably predicts the ethanol output of whole corn
grain. The calibration, developed by DuPont business
Pioneer Hi-Bred, allows
ethanol plants to rapidly and consistently evaluate incoming
grain, helping both plant managers and growers determine which
corn hybrids and management practices can improve ethanol
production.
The calibration has been incorporated into the QualiTrakSM
system from Pioneer, a measurement and reporting program that
facilitates the flow of ethanol yield information to both plant
personnel and corn growers. It provides a measurement of the
gallons of EYP per bushel of corn.
"Rapid determination of EYP of corn can be a valuable step in
improving ethanol plant efficiency," said Dennis Thompson, ICIA
chief executive officer. "ICIA recognizes the need for rapid
measurement tools based on standardized reference lab methods.
Our initial validation procedures have shown a strong
correlation between the Pioneer EYP calibration and our
laboratory method."
The ICIA laboratory fermentation method uses the procedure
developed by Dr. Kent Rausch and others at the University of
Illinois Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering
to evaluate ethanol yield potential in the conventional
dry-grind ethanol process. Further collaboration to evaluate and
compare the ICIA and Pioneer laboratory methods is planned.
A number of QualiTrakSM and EYP systems have already been
installed at plants throughout the United States and are being
run on the FOSS Infratec 1241 Grain Analyzers. The technology
allows ethanol producers to use analytical data to manage the
corn grain feeding for their ethanol production process through
rapid analysis and grading at the point of grain receiving.
Farmers will be able to take this information and combine it
with their on-farm agronomic performance data to tailor the corn
hybrids they plant and apply management practices to maximize
the ethanol yield on every acre.
"The independent evaluation from the Illinois Crop Improvement
Association should give processors and growers greater
confidence that the EYP system is a highly accurate tool for
evaluating corn grain, regardless of the seed source," said Russ
Sanders, marketing director, Pioneer Hi-Bred. "The system can
provide processors with comprehensive comparative ethanol yield
prediction data for every load of grain brought to a plant. When
shared with corn growers who sell grain to the facility, this
information will enable them to better understand how genetics
and management practices influence ethanol yield at the farm
level."
Pioneer already has evaluated its entire corn hybrid lineup for
ethanol yield potential and has identified more than 170 hybrids
that produce higher than average amounts of ethanol. Many of
these hybrids contain Herculex® I insect protection which
translates into better yields and higher overall grain quality.
These high total fermentable (HTF) hybrids are being positioned
with farmers to provide them additional marketing opportunities
as well as improved efficiencies at ethanol production
facilities.
Pioneer invites ethanol plants that want to learn more about the
EYP prediction model or wish to perform a comparison to other
similar technologies to contact Pioneer. Also, since 2007
ethanol plants and commercial grain channel companies can obtain
calibration licenses from FOSS North America. For more
information, contact FOSS at
www.foss.us.
Pioneer has licensed its proprietary calibration technology and
QualiTrakSM system to ethanol producers, universities,
third-party organizations, and other seed companies. Contact
Pioneer for more details.
ICIA invites any interested parties to learn more about the
laboratory, consulting, auditing and research support services
offered to the bioprocessing industries. Contact John McKinney,
P.E., grain laboratory director, at 217-359-4053.
DuPont is a leader in the biofuels industry and has developed a
three-part strategy that includes improving the yield of grain
ethanol production through the research, technology and
agronomic expertise of Pioneer Hi-Bred; developing technologies
to convert cellulosic feedstocks into biofuels; and discovering
new technologies to make improved biofuels with enhanced fuel
properties.
Illinois Crop Improvement Association (ICIA) is a
not-for-profit corporation with headquarters in Champaign, Ill.,
specialized in providing a broad range of technical services to
the international seed, feed, food and industrial agricultural
industries. For more information, please contact Dennis Thompson
at 217-359-4053 or visit:
www.ilcrop.com
Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont business, is the world's leading
source of customized solutions for farmers, livestock producers
and grain and oilseed processors. With headquarters in Des
Moines, Iowa, Pioneer provides access to advanced plant genetics
in nearly 70 countries.
DuPont is a science-based products and services company. Founded
in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by creating sustainable
solutions essential to a better, safer, healthier life for
people everywhere. Operating in more than 70 countries, DuPont
offers a wide range of innovative products and services for
markets including agriculture and food; building and
construction; communications; and transportation.
The DuPont Oval Logo, DuPontTM, The miracles of scienceTM and
QualiTrakSM are registered trademarks, trademarks or service
marks of DuPont or its affiliates.
Herculex® insect protection technology by Dow AgroSciences and
Pioneer Hi-Bred. Herculex® and the HX logo are registered
trademarks of Dow AgroSciences LLC. |
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