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Iowan testifies on benefits of corn use for ethanol
OMAHA — Corn’s use for ethanol extends the U.S. energy supply and saves the typical American family as much as $1,500 per year, Iowan Tim Recker told U.S. senators at an agriculture committee hearing on Aug. 18.
“The Renewable Fuels Standard is as good for U.S. consumers as it is for corn growers,” said Recker, who is president of the Iowa Corn Growers Association. He noted that the share of the food dollar that goes to farmers is now so small that a bowl of corn flakes and milk contains less than two cents worth of corn.
At the same time, corn use in ethanol increases the U.S. energy supply. Ethanol in the E10 blend means that for every 10 gallons of gasoline, consumers have 11 gallons of fuel at the pump. Using E85 in a flexfuel vehicle extends the fuel supply even further.
Speaking on behalf of the ICGA, Nebraska Corn Growers Association, Nebraska Corn Board and National Corn Growers Association, Recker told Senators Tom Harkin of Iowa and Ben Nelson of Nebraska that the nation’s corn growers are supplying enough corn for food, feed, and fuel uses.
He also emphasized corn growers’ support for the livestock industry, noting that, like many corn growers, he is also a livestock producer: “We want all of agriculture to be profitable, but targeting ethanol is not the answer.”
Recker ended by urging the senators to preserve the Renewable Fuels Standard, the ethanol tariff, and the blenders credit.
The hearing was called by the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition & Forestry to explore the changing economic landscape for agriculture, including the role of renewable fuels and the potential for increased production of grains and advanced biofuels.
