Ohio Corn Grower Defends Ethanol Production

Ethanol production continues to take it on the chin from sectors of the meat production industry. Steve Meyer, president of Paragon Economics, says ethanol-induced prices in meat are just now getting to the marketplace.

However, Ohio Corn Growers Association Executive Director Dwayne Siekman takes offense to statements that falsely accused the corn industry for stimulating a rise in the cost of meat and that has also misrepresented facts about corn-ethanol production.

Siekman says - corn production is not to blame for increasing meat prices at the local grocery store and butcher shop. Though that’s what the meat industry would like consumers to believe. The production of corn ethanol, an American-made, sustainable fuel source, does not affect the cost of a summer barbecue. It does, however, support the economic and environmental vitality of our country.

Dr. Ron Plain, livestock economist at the University of Missouri, questions - if the U.S. economy is strong enough to sustain higher grocery store prices for meat? Prices for hogs may be near their top and if the resultant price at retail is too high, then demand will falter and the production cycle will re-cycle again.

source: hoosieragtoday