June 18, 2007

Brazil's sugarcane may ease livestock farmers' fears on ethanol boom

The emergence of ethanol as an alternative energy source should not be a cause of concern among the animal livestock industry, according to a former Brazilian agricultural minister.

During the 4th Agri Vision Conference organised by animal feed company Nutreco in Noordwijk-aan-Zee, the Netherlands last June 13, Brazil's previous agricultural minister Roberto Rodrigues said the feed versus fuel discussion was "a false dilemma" as Brazil can grow enough sugarcane for ethanol production.

Rodrigues said Brazil still has a lot of acreage to offer when it comes down to future sugarcane production as the country can produce 230 billion litres of ethanol without any problem for food availability.

Sugarcane, grown in tropical regions, is a much more efficient crop for ethanol production than corn, he said.