Biodiesel is a renewable fuel derived from vegetable oils or animal fats that can substitute for diesel fuel in engines or fuel oil in furnaces. Biodiesel is produced by the process of transesterification, a simple chemical process that breaks individual triglyceride molecules into three molecules of methyl esters consisting of long chain fatty acids, similar to diesel derived from petroleum. Biodiesel has proven lubricity benefits at low blends, which will be important when sulfur levels are reduced in the U.S. supply of diesel in 2006. In addition, blends of biodiesel and its usage in a pure form reduce particulate matter (PM), volatile organic compounds (VOC), as well as other toxic gases and Greenhouse Gases (GHG). Reduced emissions from biodiesel blends result from its zero sulfur content and higher oxygen content versus petro-diesel. Federal standards established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) may force local authorities to implement a variety of policies to reduce VOC's, one of the precursors of ground level ozone formation, and other toxic emissions. There is also substantial concern among public health professionals concerning the formation of particulate matter (PM) from diesel engines, especially when originating from school buses, transit buses, and diesel-powered electrical generators.
This study describes a portion of grain production and movement patterns in Minnesota. A related study, "Where Does Minnesota's Grain Crop Go?" uses grain elevator survey data to detail the movement levels and destinations of grain and oilseeds that are grown in Minnesota. In this project, researchers identified 1999 grain and oilseed production levels, livestock populations in individual counties of the state, and required amounts of feed for the livestock populations. From this analysis, they determined net feed grain surpluses and deficits. They calculated the net movement of all grain after local feeding and processing activities to track the impacts on Minnesota roads. The report includes tables that describe the consumption of feed grains and soybean meal by livestock in each county and maps that show the levels of production, surplus/deficit levels by county, and net movement of grains and oilseeds.
This study describes the movement of grain shipments from Minnesota to their final destinations. A sample of approximately 100 (or 20%) of Minnesota's grain elevators reported their monthly grain shipments by mode to each of nine destinations from July 1999 to June 2000. The researchers used this data to project grain shipments from Minnesota and each of six crop reporting districts by grain and by transportation mode to final destination. Minneapolis and Mississippi River ports were the most important destinations, receiving 28.4% of all shipments. Pacific Northwest export ports received 17.9%. Minnesota-based corn, soybean, and wheat processors received 16.6% of shipments. Duluth-Superior received 10.5% and Mexico received 7%. Rail was used for 494 million bushels (14.1 million tons) or 64% of all grains. Rail shipments of 50 or more cars accounted for 47% of all elevator shipments. Truck shipments accounted for 263 million bushels (7.4 million tons). Both destination and modal percentages varied substantially by grain and by crop report.
