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Pillen: Growing Nebraska’s bioeconomy key to future of ag products

Governor Jim Pillen says improving demand for Nebraska ag products remains one of his administration’s top priorities.

“The vision is not to put corn on barges anymore and ship it around the world. The vision is that we grow ethanol that we grow the bioeconomy so we can either feed corn to livestock or process it into fuel and sell it everywhere around the world.”

During remarks on Tuesday at an event highlighting National Ag Week, he says the addition of two crushing plants are allowing more soybeans to be processed in the state. “We’re not having to put soybeans on barges and ship them. We have to sell soybean meal, but that is a value-added product.”

Pillen says the investing in new technology is also important. For example, he says, “I know a (person) in Blair that believes that he can change the fermentation process of ethanol and make acrylics….He also believes he can make nylon out of ethanol.”

The Governor says these investments will also help create job opportunities in rural areas for the next generation.