Follies of Tracking Indirect Land Use Change
A two-part report on corn, ethanol and land use change, prepared for the National Corn Growers Association, provides an in-depth look at improvements in corn and ethanol production efficiency, the worldwide availability of agricultural acreage and the difficulty in estimating indirect land use change at the global scale.
"This project was an important one for us because the myth of international indirect land use change is one that won't go away," said NCGA President Darrin Ihnen. "We're producing more corn per acre and more ethanol per bushel than ever before, while exceeding all other needs as well. At the same time, charges of global land use change because of U.S. ethanol production are not science-based."
To validate the land use hypothesis, a massive number of agricultural acres should have been moved to corn production for fuel, the report states. As has been seen, however, this has not occurred. While there was a noticeable increase in acres in 2007, in 2008 and 2009, acres of corn trended towards a more historical level - even as ethanol demand has increased.
Further, the growing technological efficiency of grain production in developed countries could help feed more of the world using less land if it were spread world-wide. if the agricultural practices used in developed nations were applied to all arable land today, then only 55 percent of current agricultural land would be needed to feed the world's population in 2050.
Thanks to the work of researchers and growers working together, NCGA notes, we're living in an extension of Norman Borlaug's Green Revolution. The second half of the 20th Century may very well be heralded as the Golden Age of Agriculture. Between 1961 and 2007 global cereal production increased from 877 million tons to 2,341 million tons-an increase of almost 300 percent. And this increase in production was accomplished using only 8 percent more land.
Download Corn, Ethanol Production and Land Use:
Part One: Introduction, Productivity Gains in Modern Agriculture
Corn Growers Need Free Trade Agreements
NCGA joined other organizations calling for fast movement on three pending free trade agreements, citing how U.S. corn growers will continue to suffer dire consequences if they are not approved. The agreements are for Colombia, Panama and South Korea.
"Corn farmers are in the process of losing a market in which we have traditionally performed well," said Maryland grower Chip Bowling. "Instead of seeing increasing markets and new opportunities for corn growers, we are fighting to keep our markets away from international competitors."
Bowling noted that corn exports to Colombia dropped by more than 50 percent between marketing years 2007-08 and 2008-09, from 114.4 to 47.1 million bushels, for a loss of $273 million to the U.S. economy. Under the Colombia Free Trade Agreement, the United States would have immediate access to Colombia's market for 2.1 million metric tons of corn at a zero percent duty.
"The U.S. corn farmer is a safe and reliable supplier of corn throughout the world," Bowling said. "We do not want to see important markets such as Colombia slip away in front of our eyes. Without free trade agreements, we have seen significant erosion in U.S. market share in Colombia with no relief in sight. This is a story about quantifiable losses that are happening right now to the U.S. farmer."
Bowling is president of the Maryland Grain Producers Association. Also present for the news conference were representatives of the National Pork Producers Council, the American Farm Bureau Federation, the National Association of Wheat Growers and the National Cattlemen's Beef Association.
Click here for a copy of Bowling's remarks.
Livestock, Ethanol Crucial to Missouri
During a recent gathering of state and national leadership, Missouri Corn Growers Association CEO Gary Marshall sat down for an "Off the Cob" interview discussing state issues affecting growers. Marshall said that issues affecting livestock and ethanol production, two of corn's biggest markets, are at the top of their list.
"On the livestock side, we are very concerned as the Humane Society of the United States, HSUS, is coming into the state right now with a puppy mill bill," said Marshall. "But, we are worried they are going to change that next year and go after livestock. Livestock production is extremely important to the state of Missouri. It is all about jobs and economic development."
Marshall then went on to explain the perils that he sees for the country as a whole should we allow our food supply, in this case livestock production, to move overseas. Notably, he compares doing so to creating a situation similar to that which the country currently faces due to reliance upon foreign oil.
"Ethanol is a huge issue for us," said Marshall. "We have six plants in Missouri, all of which are farmer owned, and we are doing everything we can in the state legislature to make sure that those plants stay in production. In doing so, we are also working to ensure that Missouri customers get the best, cheapest product possible to run their cars and other devices."
To listen to the full interview, please click here.
Explore the Economics of Corn Technologies
 With a theme of "Corn: America's Renewable Resource," the 2010 Corn Utilization and Technology Conference will delve into the details of what's next in corn's commercial pipeline. Presented by NCGA, CUTC has been expanded to include new topics that will be of value to many audiences, such as life cycle analysis of new technologies, land use issues, aquifers, water quality and usage and greenhouse gas emissions. The event will be held in Atlanta, Ga., June 7-9. Registration is still open.
"This year's extended agenda reflects the versatility, value and impact corn offers our economy," said NCGA Research and Business Development Action Team Chairman Larry Hashieder. "There seems to be no end in sight for corn's effectiveness as a renewable resource for America's food, feed, fuel and manufacturing challenges."
The CUTC poster session will provide researchers a chance to interact with peers and showcase research to a broad spectrum of representatives from the corn industry. Technical posters representing student research will be judged throughout the conference by committee members from various corn processing industries, academic institutions and government entities. NCGA will present the CUTC Student Outstanding Poster Award to support and encourage new researchers. First, second and third place winners will be announced at the conclusion of the conference.
CUTC will be held at the Atlanta Hilton Hotel in downtown Atlanta, Ga. Visit www.corntechconf.org for more information and to register online. |
Leadership is a Labor of Love
 Describing why he continues to increase the time and efforts that he dedicates to service of the corn industry, Wesley Spurlock explains that he views this type of agricultural leadership as a labor of love.
While Wesley began his civic involvement as a member of many community philanthropy boards, including one that he and his wife started dedicated to youth care, he found that his involvement blossomed and his fulfillment multiplied when he chose to serve first as a director for the Texas Corn Producers Association and then on NCGA's Production and Stewardship Action Team and Mycotoxin Task Force.
"While I grow a wide array of crops on my organization, corn is my favorite," he said. "I find a deeper involvement in this area allows me to give back and benefits me personally as working with growers from across the country broadens my point of view."
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