WASHINGTON – Tom Buis, CEO of Growth Energy, released the following statement on the crop report released today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) that estimates record breaking harvests of both corn and soybeans; data that contradicts the theory of indirect land use change. Based on the USDA report, American farmers are expected to produce more than 12.7 billion bushels of corn –the second largest yield in U.S. history – and more than 3.1 billion bushels of soybeans – the largest in U.S. history. The corn estimate is 400 million more bushels than was estimated in last month’s report, which also included carryover from last year.
“Today’s record breaking estimates of this year’s corn and soybean harvest are proof of what the ethanol industry has been saying from the start: the theory of indirect land use change is flawed and not based on the facts. Based on these reports, it’s silly to still think that the demand for corn in the U.S. to make ethanol would displace land used to plant soybeans and in turn cause deforestation in other parts of the world.”
“As this report confirms, the productive capacity of American agriculture is second to none. The American farmer produces enough corn to both feed and fuel our nation and still have some left to export. This report proves once again that the U.S. is the leading exporter of both crops, further dispelling this bizarre land use theory, and it should once and for all put an end to the false claims being perpetuated against ethanol by the food industry.”
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About Growth Energy
Growth Energy is a group committed to the promise of agriculture and growing America’s economy through cleaner, greener energy. Growth Energy members recognize America needs a new ethanol approach. Through smart policy reform and a proactive grassroots campaign, Growth Energy promotes reducing greenhouse gas emissions, expanding the use of ethanol in gasoline, decreasing our dependence on foreign oil, and creating American jobs at home. More information can be found at GrowthEnergy.org.