Comments on: Are Corn Ethanol Farm Subsidies Too Complex to Understand?

By: Allen Smith

Allen Smith — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 17:00:40 +0000

I grew up near a dry land sugar cane farm in the arid south west. Originally the seed came from Model A sales in the early twentys!!! as most model A’s came with an ethanol still. By the 50′s they were using this dry land sugar cane for winter cattle feed. I am very excited about stepping back in time and am looking into to farming this age old seed this next year. We’ll see how it takes to a little irrigation.

By: Allen Smith

Allen Smith — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 17:00:00 +0000

By: Joe

Joe — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 15:06:06 +0000

I still disagree that subsidies are needed and use New Zealand as proof that not only will agriculture survive without subsidies, but will thrive:

http://newfarm.rodaleinstitute.org/features/0303/newzealand_subsidies.shtml

By: Joe

Joe — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 15:06:00 +0000

I still disagree that subsidies are needed and use New Zealand as proof that not only will agriculture survive without subsidies, but will thrive:

http://newfarm.rodaleinstitute.org/features/0303/newzealand_subsidies.shtml

By: mndasher

mndasher — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 04:18:37 +0000

Get rid of both subsidies. — Just because some one said that was the savings does not make it so. So many studies are put forth to prove a point, and most are not accurate. When ever the word ‘study’ is used it needs to looked at with a skeptical eye.

By: mndasher

mndasher — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 04:18:00 +0000

By: Nick Chambers

Nick Chambers — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 01:23:53 +0000

WJ,

Very true. The US government subsidizes many staple crops such as wheat, corn and soybean to the detriment of many others… some of which might be considered “luxury” crops (like melons, avocados, etc.) and some which could be argued are also “staple” foods in and of themselves (like pinto beans). The point being that I fully agree that our subsidy system needs an overhaul (I really don’t think we need mohair subsidies either).

However, I do think there is a necessary place for a robust subsidy system that ensures the supply of US grown foods even in the face of catastrophe. Unfortunately, given the nature of bureaucracy, it may be impossible to provide that system without the waste that accompanies it…

By: WJ

WJ — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 23:33:10 +0000

Mr. Chambers:

I am sympathetic to your point about a need for subsidies in the agriculture market and not being dependent on a hostile country for such a basic necessity as food.

However, to slightly counter that, according to this old (2004) article http://www.bayjournal.com/article.cfm?article=2411,

only 40% of US farmers are subsidized (don’t know whether that 40% is in number of farmers or in percentage of overall crop yields).

My point is that there are a large amount of crops that are not subsidized AND most of the food we import comes from Mexico, Central and South America. Also, I believe we could survive without Mohair and Sugar subsidies.

By: WJ

WJ — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 23:33:00 +0000

Mr. Chambers:

I am sympathetic to your point about a need for subsidies in the agriculture market and not being dependent on a hostile country for such a basic necessity as food.

However, to slightly counter that, according to this old (2004) article http://www.bayjournal.com/article.cfm?article=2411,

only 40% of US farmers are subsidized (don’t know whether that 40% is in number of farmers or in percentage of overall crop yields).

By: M. Elena

M. Elena — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 23:20:13 +0000

Once a year (Thanksgiving time), my favorite catfish restaurant fries turkeys. This is a treat in my small town in Arkansas. Well, this year they are not frying turkeys because the corn oil is too expensive due to the “ethanol problem.” We live in the middle of pine forests which could be utilized to provide energy. Somebody with “pull” decided on corn. I’m sorry for my family – they will miss the delicious fried turkey. Too complex is an understatement.