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USGC, Growth Energy respond to crop numbers

The president of the U.S. Grains Council says the increases in U.S. corn production and corn stocks intensify the need to strengthen export market development efforts. 

Ken Hobbie says many foreign customers have been uncertain about the U.S. supply, primarily due to the increase in corn-based ethanol production.  But he says the expected increase in production allows the Council to showcase U.S. farmers as reliable suppliers of high-quality feed ingredients for the coming year.

Meanwhile, Tom Buis, the CEO of the ethanol advocacy group Growth Energy, says the USDA’s report underscores that U.S. farmers can grow enough corn to both feed and fuel the U.S., and still have an excess supply left over.  

Buis renewed his call for the ethanol blend rate to be increased to 15 percent.  He also called on ethanol’s critics to end their misinformation campaign about ethanol and focus on what he calls “the larger issue at hand-higher food prices.”