Quote Originally Posted by Hanr3 View Post
CORN: The 2015 corn crop is projected at 13.595 billion bushels, down from a record 14.216 billion bushels last year. Yields are estimated at 166.8 bushels per acre, down from 171 bushels in 2014. Farmers are expected to plant 89 million acres (down from 90.6 million) and harvest 81.5 million acres (down from 83.1 million). Cash prices are seen average $3.50 per bushel for the crop year, down from $3.65.
USDA releases supply and demand estimates for major crops | AgriPulse


2013 World use.
In the monthly WASDE report released on November 8, the USDA's World Agricultural Outlook Board estimated that 4.648 billion bushels of corn were used to produce ethanol and co-products during the 2012-13 marketing year. That estimate is 371 million bushels less than the estimate for the 2010-11 marketing year and 352 million less than estimated use during the 2011-12 marketing year. Domestic ethanol production declined from an estimated 13.796 billion gallons during the 2011-12 corn marketing year to an estimated 12.899 billion gallons last year.
Corn Used for Ethanol Production | farmdocdaily.illinois.edu

"The mandate increases corn prices by about 25¢ per bushel," Babcock says.
What Happens to Corn Prices without the Ethanol Mandate? | Agweb.com

Ethanol raises the cost of corn about a quarter per bushel. Bushel costs about $3.50-$3.65. The US alone produced 14.216 billion bushels last year. The corn that went to ethanol produced about 12.899 billion gallons. 4.6 billion bushels of corn made 12.899 billion gallons of ethanol. Not chump change. Are you willing to pay the Saudis for another 12.899 billion gallons of gas? Or would you rather pay a farmer in the US for it?
Anyone who has bought corn over the last 10 years knows these numbers are false. Ask any mechanic about detioration due to ethanol in 2 stroke engines. Look at the Evinrude Etec warranty which is voided if ethanol fuel is used. The United States has plenty of fuel wells capped off but instead imports from those Middle eastern countries. Ethanol has nothing to do with it. Corn syrup and corn meal have all been made before ethanol fuel. The main by product is animal feed which stinks awful and most animals care less for it. I couldn't even get wild hogs to eat it. Ethanol is a joke as a fuel and helped put this country in a recession.