Talking ethanol: From ranch to restaurant

Chairman of the Nebraska Ethanol Board - Jim Jenkins - recently authored a white paper for Ethanol Across America. The paper is based off Jenkins testimony at a Senate hearing in Omaha in August.

The white paper is titled Ethanol Economics from Ranch to Restaurant (.pdf file), which makes sense because Jenkins operates a cattle ranch near Callaway, Nebraska, and operates several restaurants including Skeeter Barnes. The white paper does a great job talking about how higher grain prices have impacted his two businesses. Importantly, he writes about how high grain prices may lead to more efficiency in cattle production and, ultimately, greater profitability.

There is a lot of well thought out in this white paper so be sure to download it and give it a read.

Here's Jenkin's conclusion:

So what is a cattle guy and restaurant owner doing in a pro-ethanol discussion like this? Well, as a Nebraskan and an American, I think the benefits of ethanol are getting lost in what is a muddled and multifaceted issue - creating change which is causing many to have to reconsider their business models...and that makes many people uncomfortable. Those with the intelligence, insight and will to adapt will do so - and thrive.