By: NATHAN STUEDLE
U.S. ethanol plants used more corn during July as the biofuel industry continues providing strong demand for the nation’s corn crop. USDA reports nearly 475 million bushels of corn were used for fuel alcohol production during the month. That’s up two percent from June and four percent from July of last year. Dry-mill ethanol plants accounted for about 93 percent of total corn use, with wet milling making up the remaining seven percent.
Among ethanol co-products, production of dried distillers grains with solubles totaled 1.85 million tons, down one percent from a year earlier. Production of wet distillers grains containing at least 65 percent moisture reached 1.29 million tons, up nine percent from last year. Wet-mill corn gluten feed production declined two percent, while wet corn gluten production increased ten percent. Overall, USDA’s July numbers indicate ethanol production continues to provide a significant source of demand for U.S. corn.