<![CDATA[Grist - Comment Feed for An interview with Missouri farmer and ethanol co-op member Brian Miles]]> Grist Comment Feed en Comment #1 by meander http://www.grist.org/article/miles/ Wed, 13 Dec 2006 04:20:53 -0800 http://www.grist.org/article/miles/1 Bright spots?

One very tiny bright spot that could come from the ravenous demand for corn might be a lessening of pressure on Mexico and other corn-growing countries.  As documented numerous times (by Michael Pollan here), Mexican farmers are being devastated by cheap U.S. corn imports.  

Another potential bright spot might be a reduction in consumption of HFCS sweetened soft drinks, and thus reduction in the health effects of overconsumption.  I haven't seen any data on the demand elasticity for chicken vs. cola, but would bet that Americans would sooner give up cola than chicken.    

]]> Bright spots?

One very tiny bright spot that could come from the ravenous demand for corn might be a lessening of pressure on Mexico and other corn-growing countries.  As documented numerous times (by Michael Pollan here), Mexican farmers are being devastated by cheap U.S. corn imports.  

Another potential bright spot might be a reduction in consumption of HFCS sweetened soft drinks, and thus reduction in the health effects of overconsumption.  I haven't seen any data on the demand elasticity for chicken vs. cola, but would bet that Americans would sooner give up cola than chicken.    

]]> Comment #2 by Tom Philpott http://www.grist.org/article/miles/ Wed, 13 Dec 2006 04:32:56 -0800 http://www.grist.org/article/miles/2 Meander

Mexican farmers may indeed get some relief from higher corn prices. Looks like weaning the soft-frink industry off of HFCS is going to be tough, though. This this post from last week.
And just to two things up, looks like the HFCS industry has succeeded in bullying Mexico into accepting  US-made HFCS.

]]> Meander

Mexican farmers may indeed get some relief from higher corn prices. Looks like weaning the soft-frink industry off of HFCS is going to be tough, though. This this post from last week.
And just to two things up, looks like the HFCS industry has succeeded in bullying Mexico into accepting  US-made HFCS.

]]> Comment #3 by Orfintain http://www.grist.org/article/miles/ Thu, 14 Dec 2006 19:26:15 -0800 http://www.grist.org/article/miles/3 The answer

We could be growing corn in rotation with soybeans organically for the same yield at less of a cost with less environmental damages.
Sustainable AG is the Only Long Term Solution

As far chicken vs cola it takes alot of corn to make  one chicken remember that bird in a box eats for two years or so to grow to full size.  The energy footprint of  an American meat eater to vegetarian to an is  high, something like ten to one.

Also consider that meat production industry releases more C02  than the transportation industry. It isn't a carbon tax on meat yet, but it wouldn't be a bad idea.  I'll take a smaller hormone and steroid added CO2 producing meat industry any way i can.

As far as the economical challenged population starving to death. We have to remember it isn't that some evil corporations intended on messing up the planet. The problem is that there are too many people and not enough space. It may be best interest in the human species to allow evaluation to take its course.

]]> The answer

We could be growing corn in rotation with soybeans organically for the same yield at less of a cost with less environmental damages.
Sustainable AG is the Only Long Term Solution

As far chicken vs cola it takes alot of corn to make  one chicken remember that bird in a box eats for two years or so to grow to full size.  The energy footprint of  an American meat eater to vegetarian to an is  high, something like ten to one.

Also consider that meat production industry releases more C02  than the transportation industry. It isn't a carbon tax on meat yet, but it wouldn't be a bad idea.  I'll take a smaller hormone and steroid added CO2 producing meat industry any way i can.

As far as the economical challenged population starving to death. We have to remember it isn't that some evil corporations intended on messing up the planet. The problem is that there are too many people and not enough space. It may be best interest in the human species to allow evaluation to take its course.

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