Colorado Corn Cultivating Opportunities

When the 2008 farm bill became law this week, U.S. corn growers celebrated the enactment of a third piece of federal legislation that will go far in promoting opportunity and protecting rural economies. According to the National Corn Growers Association, when you consider this vote along with the passage of the waterways bill and the energy bill late last year, it’s been a very successful congressional session for growers.

News of rising food prices has dominated newspaper headlines in recent weeks. Some, including members of Congress, have seized the opportunity to bash corn-based ethanol production as a major culprit. That criticism is ill-conceived.

Before people take a knife and fork to corn growers, they might want to digest information contained in a recent Texas A&M study on the subject.

Analysts, in the study "Effects of Ethanol on Texas Food & Feed," looked into the causes of rising food costs.

By Stephanie Herseth Sandlin, Tim Johnson and John Thune

It is time to recognize the many accomplishments of the renewable fuels industry. Through continued growth of ethanol production, the United States is not only addressing its most pressing need of improving its energy security but also helping to moderate record gasoline prices by as much as $.50 per gallon and creating economic opportunities in rural America.

As a disinformation campaign against corn ethanol continues with enormous funding from special interests, the National Corn Growers Association has created an Internet resource center that focuses squarely on the “food versus fuel” issue. Not only can farmers produce more than enough corn for all needs, but that other factors such as high energy costs have much more impact on global food inflation and shortages.