There was mention of making fuel out of crop residues,not the edible seed.
Would save growing corn just for fuel.  I seem to remember there was a pilot
plant.  Was the hope wrong in science?  or does hope linger on? 



There are many things that factor into the ethanol issue.  Much more complex
than Mr Fischer and the NYT comprehend.  First of,  at the time the fuel
mandate came out there were billions of bushels stored by the US government.
Corn that had be purchased at subsidy prices. Based on garenteed price.
Those are now FINALY gone. Second  the by product from ethanol is usually
used.  Its not "lost"  while the rise in grain prices was fueled by ethanol,
the food prices had been so artificially low for decades that family farms
disappeared.  It has been helped a bit, but temporarily.
There are many other crops that are being tested and used for ethanol.  Most
based on Biomass.( the basis of your question)  It is proven that the stalk
is actually better for making ethanol,  just harder to process due to
shipping and mass. I cannot discuss them in any details as confidentiality
issues. 

But a bit of corn used in fuel has been good all around as I see it.  
1. corn stockpiles the government had have been used.
2. Ethonol was used to LOWER high gasoline cost, benefitting everyone.
3. no corn subsides are paid out when corn is a fair price
4. Higher grain prices have pumped a lot of money into severely sagging farm
communities
5. James MG mechanic made some money.

And Despite James poor MG ethanol for fuel is not all bad.  Its easily
renewable, getting easier to handle, and very clean burning.  Maybe if we
drove modern  American made cars you wouldn't notice.

Brazil is the world leader in ethanol fuels.  Funny how a 3rd world country
can show us the way to be smarter and cleaner.

And despite the claims of otherwise...  corn, corn, corn as far as the eye
can see is normal around here.....  you will see a large drop this year in
planted acres.   The slow rise of acreages in the last few years,  has been
based on high prices.  That's now stabilized.



What we should be concerned about is the prophylactic recommendation and
usages of pesticides on corn and beans.  Many fields are recommended to be
sprayed 3 times a season  even if no pest are seen.  Some Chem companies are
promoting higher yields with prophylactic spraying.  THAT IS A HUGE ISSUE.


Charles

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