There have been numerous studies done on this issue, and the consensus is that the price of corn will increase form 5 to 10 cents per bushel for every 100 million bushels of corn use. Price responses will vary according to crop projections, carry-over levels from previous years, and global supply and demand.
Ethanol contains oxygen, so it contributes to a cleaner, more efficient burn of the gasoline with less CO and other toxic chemicals in the exhaust emissions. Ethanol is a simple chemical which, when burned, does not produce all the complex pollutants and aromatics formed by the many different chemicals contained in gasoline.
A bushel of No. 2 yellow corn weighs 56 pounds. The industry average fuel ethanol yield is over 2.7 gallons per bushel. In addition, per bushel, the process can yield 17-18 pounds of high-protein livestock feed, and 16 pounds of carbon dioxide for beverage or refrigeration use.
No, ethanol can be made from products other than corn. Corn is the predominant feedstock in the U.S. today because of low prices and wide availability. Other grains, plus sugar beets, potato wastes and cheese whey are currently being used where available and competitively priced.
In the dry mill process only the starch is removed for ethanol, so all the protein, vitamins, minerals, fiber, and some of the energy remains. This is a very nutritious food for cattle, poultry and swine.
Click a question ot reveal the answer. If you like click here to view a pdf of the questions and answers.
