Chromatin and Pacific Ethanol sign agreement for locally-grown sorghum in ethanol production
chromatin, Inc. and Pacific ethanol, Inc. announced they have entered into a multi-year agreement to produce, deliver and use locally grown sorghum in the production of ethanol. The agreement covers up to 30,000 acres of Chromatin sorghum to be grown over multiple years and supplied to Pacific Ethanol.
Chromatin is currently working with California growers who are attracted to sorghum as a grain source because it is easy to grow, uses less fertilizer and water than corn and is tolerant to both heat and drought conditions. It is also an effective double crop alternative behind wheat or in rotation with cotton and vegetable crops. In addition, the residue from the harvest of sorghum grain can be used as high quality animal feed. “As the benefits of sorghum become more widely known, especially its resiliency, flexibility and its affordability compared to corn, we are optimistic that it will become the feedstock of choice in ethanol production,” Preuss said.
Ethanol plants in California have been seeking alternative crops to corn to reduce feedstock costs, to improve their carbon footprint and to source feedstock from locally grown energy-efficient crops. California-grown sorghum has proven to be cost effective and energy efficient, and using sorghum grain enables ethanol producers to qualify as Advanced Bio-fuel Producers and become eligible for financial incentives.
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