Guest Editorial: Corn Growers Say Ethanol Saves Average Family $1,000 Annually

Katie Allen Writes on June 17:

"New information released by Iowa’s Renewable Fuels Association and Corn Promotion Board shows that ethanol saves a typical family of four an average of $1,000 per year.

"The figure comes from price data by the USDA, U.S. Energy Information Administration, Council of Economic Advisors and Iowa State University, and shows if ethanol were not in the picture, consumers would save a mere $24 at the grocery store in a year but would pay $560 to $1,600 more for fuel.

"Iowa farmer Roger Zylstra, who raises corn, soybeans and hogs, agrees with most other producers that transportation costs, more than corn demand, are driving up food prices.

" 'So very little amount of corn actually goes into the food that we consume,' Zylstra says. 'Most of the corn that we grow is used for animal feed and things like that.'

"As a producer of both grain and livestock, Zylstra knows this is a challenging time of high prices for everyone.

" 'Corn is a major part of hog feed. If we get corn really high, it's going to have an impact, but history shows us that the prices always adjust. It's just that we have to have enough cushion to survive that adjustment period.'

"Zylstra also says he’s confident farmers and ag leaders will continue to find enough corn supply for food and fuel despite flooded fields and an expected lower crop this year."