By Rick Tolman
NCGA CEO

On Earth Day consumers, businesses, and policymakers pause to consider the implications of their habits, practices, and policies on global climate and ecological sustainability. Increasingly talk has turned to the concept of “sustainable agriculture,” particularly in relation to energy, environmental stewardship, population growth and crop and livestock production. But what does sustainability truly mean?

Those in production agriculture continually review the implications of their practices on sustainability. America’s corn farmers understand providing food, feed, and now, fuel, must not come at the expense of environmental quality, human health or economic viability. They are at forefront of solutions to these issues.

Consider environmental practices. During the past quarter century farmers have put in place many environmental practices. Conservation tillage, biotechnology, acres set aside in conservation programs, improved management practices. These are some of the tools put in place to ease the strain the land. And they are paying off. According to the National Resources Conservation Service, in 15 years soil erosion declined about 40 percent. And a World Perspectives Inc. study shows modern soil loss is only approximately 6 percent of what it was in the 1930s.

At the same time, corn production has increased. Just 20 years ago farmers produced 6.2 billion bushels of corn. Last year that figure was 10.5 billion bushels. Increased conservation practices, the development and growth of biotechnology and nutrient management have enabled producers to increase productivity with no net increase in overall inputs.

The development of environmentally friendly ethanol is one solution to the unquenchable thirst for oil to fuel our cars. Ethanol is one of the best tools we have in fighting air pollution from vehicles. According to Argonne National Laboratory, the use of 10 percent ethanol blends reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 18 to 29 percent compared with conventional gasoline. Ethanol displaces the use of toxic gasoline components such as benzene, a carcinogen, and it is non-toxic, water soluble and quickly biodegradable. Is corn ethanol the total solution for our energy needs? No. It is one of many solutions needed to ease our dependence on foreign oil.

Improved technologies and the desire to reduce operating costs are resulting in reduced energy use in corn ethanol plants. The future will see advances in the ability produce the fuel using less water and enzyme technologies that result in more ethanol from a bushel of corn. And other agriculture crops will be used as feedstocks.

U.S. farmers’ intension to plant 90.5 million acres of corn this year is bringing cries that farmers are wreaking havoc with the environment and with the food supply. Yet a University of Tennessee analysis notes the United States has substantial capacity for production from underutilized lands. Additionally, the analysis points out, there is sufficient potential from America’s agricultural and forest lands to produce energy without impacting food security.

Don’t be swayed by misinformation about corn for food, feed and energy. Detractors are quick to say corn prices are the reason for higher food prices, that the entire corn crop will be used for energy and that we don’t have enough corn to satisfy all our markets. Of the 10.5 billion bushels produced last year, 80 percent is used for food and feed, and 20 percent goes to ethanol production. All markets demands are being met. According to Food and Agriculture Policy Research Institute, claims on higher consumer food prices in the press are exaggerated and concludes energy prices and increasing retail margins are competing explanations for rising food prices. When corn prices are $4 a bushel, that box of corn flakes you enjoy contains less than a nickel of corn. The USDA estimates that in 2003 on average, the “farm value” represents only 19 cents of every dollar spent on food.

Finding common ground on sustainability is a balancing act. The global needs for food, feed and fuel are not diminishing; they are increasing. Agriculture, as a whole, does not take this responsibility lightly. As Americans we can take comfort that for farmers, every day is Earth Day.