Although strong U.S. corn prices resulting from ethanol demand have certainly benefited corn growers, they have also made it harder for livestock producers to find cheap grain. Livestock producers now have concerns that they must compete with ethanol plants for the same product for animal feed.
In the double-edged sword issue created by higher corn prices, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns doesn't believe that U.S. agricultural policy should encourage cheap corn.
"I don't want to get into the business that cheap corn is good for the industry," Johanns says. Speaking at the Advancing Renewable Energy Conference Wednesday, Johanns added that policies should not aim to "encourage $1.60" a bushel prices.
Johanns says he understands that there are two sides to the debate.
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