WASHINGTON, DC – American farmers are expected to produce the third-largest corn crop and yield-per-acre on record, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE). Growth Energy, the coalition of U.S. ethanol supporters, noted in a statement that this is the second consecutive month that USDA analysts predicted this harvest would be the third largest ever.
Growth Energy CEO Tom Buis said that farmers have consistently been able to produce more than enough grain to meet market demand and still achieve a surplus. He added that as that market for grain ethanol has expanded over the years, technological advancements in the agriculture industry have enabled farmers to sustainably fulfill the demand – on fewer and fewer acres. In fact, Buis noted, a highly-valued and nutritional livestock feed, Dried Distillers Grains, are a co-product of grain ethanol production, meaning that ethanol produces both fuel and livestock feed.
“Today’s report forecasting the third largest corn crop and yield on record show once again the productive capacity of America’s farmers. Every year they continue to produce more than enough grain to meet our country’s food, feed and fuel demands,” Buis said. “As our nation works to reduce our dependence on foreign oil, this report underscores the tremendous ability of American farmers to sustainably meet demands for renewable, affordable and domestically-produced energy.”
# # #
About Growth Energy
Growth Energy is a group committed to the promise of agriculture and growing America’s economy through cleaner, greener energy. Growth Energy members recognize America needs a new ethanol approach. Through smart policy reform and a proactive grassroots campaign, Growth energy promotes reducing greenhouse gas emissions, expanding the use of ethanol in gasoline, decreasing our dependence on foreign oil, and creating American jobs at home. More information can be found at GrowthEnergy.org .
