Ethanol not only factor in prices

It seems to be a favorite indoor editorial sport to bad mouth the production and use of ethanol made from the fermentation of corn. Ethanol has become the scapegoat for higher corn and food prices around the world.
 
There are numerous factors in the price of food products, starting with the emergence of developing countries like China, India and Vietnam whose economies have improved and much of the increase is being spent on food products.
 
Corn is not the only commodity that has seen a doubling in prices. Rice, wheat, soybeans have all doubled in price due to world demand. Rice is even rationed in some countries.
 
There is more than ethanol as a fuel to factor into its production. The by-products of the process are valuable in the feed rations of cattle, poultry, hogs and other animals. Distillers' dried grains are excellent cattle feed and can replace the basic corn in rations. Distillers liquids are excellent as a protein topping for cattle feeds. One Iowa plant is reclaiming the carbon dioxide from the distilling process to make dry ice.
 
Detractors haven't mentioned they use natural gas for heating in the fermentation process and that fuel has tripled in price although there is an abundant supply. In addition, food prices have been affected by the price of gasoline and diesel fuels used in the distribution of products more so than the price of corn.
 
There may be some downsides to ethanol production but the use of corn should not be tabbed as the primary culprit. Many of us in Iowa have used ethanol since in was first introduced as a 10 percent additive. and the economy of the state has benefited greatly in its production.
 
We would encourage those who comment editorially to first get all the facts.


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J.B. ANDERSON
Yuma