One of America's greatest strengths is our ability to grow our own food.
We’ve all felt the pain of having other
nations in control of our energy sources.
Unreliable supply. High gas prices. Escalating
utility costs.
Imagine where we’d be if we relied on other
nations for our food supply in the same way.
 Thankfully, U.S. corn
producers help their
fellow Americans enjoy
the most abundant,
most reliable, most
affordable and safest
food supply in the world. In fact, the average
American’s annual food bill represents only about
9.5 percent of household income—compared
to 53.1 percent in India, 25.7 percent in Italy,
19.1 percent in Japan and 11.5 percent in the
United Kingdom.
This means that, as a nation, we are able to
commit fewer resources to obtaining food—and
instead invest in technology, innovation and
other advancements that keep America on the
leading edge. As individuals, Americans can
save more, invest more and enjoy a better
standard of living.
If America were ever to lose this advantage,
we would find ourselves counting on other
nations to ensure the safety and availability
of our food supply.
Corn is also helping improve our energy security.
The Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) included
in the 2005 Energy Bill calls for 7.5 billion gallons
of renewable fuels such as ethanol to be in our
nation’s fuel supply by 2012. This is fuel we
make from renewable resources right here at
home that increases the volume of our domestic
fuel supply. And the money we spend on it stays
here in America instead of going overseas.
 The pressure on world oil supplies will only
increase as emerging nations such as China and
India become major consumers of the world’s
resources. The combination of diminishing oil
supplies and increased demand means that
America simply must continue developing its
own sustainable supply of fuel.
U.S. corn producers have assumed the role of
helping America wean itself from imported
oil—and have become a linchpin in our
nation’s strategy to strengthen both our food
and energy security. |
|
|
The majority of the corn
raised by American producers
is not grown for human
consumption, but fed to
livestock, processed into food
ingredients or converted
into ethanol, bioplastics and
other products.
In 2005, more than 225
new E85 fueling stations
were established in the
United States.
In 2005, even more flexible
fuel vehicle (FFV) models
became available, including
the Ford F150 pickup.
The nation's ethanol industry
depends on a thriving
livestock industry since
distillers grains, a co-product
of ethanol production, are
fed to livestock-and create
a critical source of revenue
for ethanol producers.
About 54 percent of the
nation's corn harvest is used
to feed livestock including
beef, dairy, pork and poultry.
|
|
NATIONAL CORN GROWERS ASSOCIATION 
