Conservation Reserve Program of U.S. Cropland: A Global Competitiveness Issue

Established under the 1985 Food Security Act, the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) is primarily focused on: protecting otherwise arable land from erosion, improving water quality, and protecting wildlife habitats. However, land idling due to the CRP has resulted in a reduction in agricultural production and impacted the United States' ability to contribute to the increasing global demand.

Iowa Ethanol Gross Production Margin During the Second Half of the COVID-19 Pandemic and After

The gross production margin in the ethanol industry commonly represents the difference between the price of corn and the combined sales value of ethanol, and its co-products: distiller's dried grains (DDGs) and distillers corn oil (DCO). The GPM shows the calculated relationship between the value of ethanol and ethanol co-products and the cost of corn in ethanol production. In this article, we will focus on the behavior of GPM during the second half of 2020 and 2021 thus far.

Dynamic Flow Analysis™ in Action

Our Dynamic Flow Analysis™ methodology has been used in various studies for our clients. We show how we used this methodology in the commodity flow study we conducted for biodiesel in Missouri, and how it is being used in Illinois in regard to the potential expansion of local meat processing.

Newsletter – June 2021

This month we introduce our new research analyst, talk about Iowa's Ethanol Goss production margin, the CRP, trends in Iowa's ag machinery industry, and how our dynamic flow analysis methodology is used.

Featured Business Partner – Missouri Soybeans

Decision Innovation Solutions (DIS) has enjoyed its working relationships with numerous state and national commodity organizations. These associations play an important role in advocating for the producers and value-added processors who grow and add value to their commodity. The Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council and Missouri Soybean Association provide an excellent example of the important work it undertakes to promote the soybean industry.

Recent Trends in Iowa’s Ethanol Blend Sales

This article covers the most recent trends in ethanol blended fuel sales in Iowa. Data used comes from annual retail fuel sales data and rack level sales data collected and maintained by the Iowa Department of Revenue (IDR). Sales trends for the following fuel blends will be explored: E0, E10, Registered E15, Flex Fuel E15, E20, and E85.

Newsletter – July 2021

This month we see how Kades first month at DIS went, talk about Trends in Iowa's Ethanol blend fuel sales, the CRP and trade, and our work with MoSoy.

The Conservation Reserve Program and International Trade Shares of the U.S.

The motivation to retire environmentally sensitive and highly erodible cropland from production is to restore soil quality and improve the overall environment. Higher-income developed countries, such as the U.S., are the proponents and active participants in government programs like the CRP which idles otherwise productive cropland to achieve this. However ...