King Corn Hurts

Those two wacky movie makers and corn kings, Ian Chaney and Curt Ellis, have been hitting the promotional circuit over the past months spreading the "evils" of American farmers and "demon corn" in their movie, "King Corn".

But not everyone thinks the movie is PBS's new "Masterpiece Theater" contender.

We found an article this week that tells a bit more of the family drama behind the film.

"'King Corn' is Propaganda -- and It's Personal" - Marshall Democrat-News

The article was written by Marcia Gorrell who once hosted the two movie moguls for a night at her family farm.

But Marcia's more than just a good family farm host. She knows one of the Yale-graduate film makers, Curt, because his older sister married her younger brother.

Here's what she wrote about seeing the movie , King Corn, starring her extended in-law:

So of course, imagine our surprise -- and hurt -- when we watched the film, which we felt was very negative to family farmers such as ourselves. I think my oldest son, still shell-shocked after watching, summed it up best.

"It's well done but ... it's so wrong."

Like many others, she and her family were shocked and hurt to see a film with so many inaccuracies being passed off as factual.

So when (in the movie) Curt and Ian take a bite of field corn, (not sweet corn) well past "roasting ear" stage and into the dent stage, throw it back into the field and call it "crap, " it hurts -- a lot.

Talk about awkward. She and her family have shared their thoughts with Ian and Curt. But the two press on, spewing their message that we're all fat, stupid corn zombies.

And she has advice for others who watch the film:

After watching, if you are a farmer, please let someone know what you think is wrong in the film -- someone who may not be as familiar with farming as you are.

And if you aren't a farmer, please don't let "King Corn" be the last word on agriculture in America and Saline County. It is much more than a 90-minute film. Talk to a farmer, take a tour and ask questions.

Supporters of American agriculture need to speak out against propaganda films like "King Corn". Reducing America's production of food, feed, fiber and fuel for the world hurts everyone.

It might be a bit awkward at the next family Thanksgiving for Curt when he meets up with his farming family. But at least there's cornbread and corn-fed turkey!

READ MORE

• It's Time to Thank Farmers
  
• New King Corn Movie: Two Ears Down
• Dr. Earl Butz, Friend of Agriculture
  

Subscribe to updates by Email
Search FoodandFuelAmerica.com



Food and Fuel America.com
http://www.foodandfuelamerica.com
Good and Balanced Food and Fuel News!

Automakers Urged to Research Higher Ethanol Blends

Are automakers researching higher blends of ethanol for the autos?

That's the question one senator is asking domestic and foreign auto manufacturers.

Senator Chuck Grassley (IA) recently sent letters to six top automakers asking about their research efforts on higher ethanol blends.

These letters follow-up on efforts late last year, after Grassley and several colleagues urged President George Bush to begin testing higher blends of ethanol and gasoline.

“This is becoming even more important as we see the maximum market demand for E10 blends quickly approaching. Our national interest in cleaner burning fuels and energy independence requires cooperation between the public and private sectors,” Grassley said.

Letters were sent to Chrysler, Ford and General Motors. A separate letter was sent to Honda, Toyota and Volkswagen.

April 1, 2008

Dear_______________

I’m writing regarding our nation’s efforts to reduce our dependence on foreign oil and the need to increase the use of clean, home-grown renewable fuels. Increasing the use of renewable fuels like ethanol is good for the environment, good for rural America, and good for our national security.

I recognize that Chrysler (Ford, General Motors) has made a significant commitment to produce flexible-fuel vehicles. I commend you for those efforts. However, given the rapid growth in the renewable fuels industry, timely action needs to be taken to ensure the greatest possible use of alternative fuels in the near term.

The domestic ethanol industry is quickly approaching a level of production that will exceed the market demand for E10, or gasoline blended with 10 percent ethanol. The E10 market could be saturated as early as 2012, or when production reaches 12 to 14 billion gallons a year. For this reason, a number of my colleagues and I wrote President Bush on the necessity to begin testing higher blends of ethanol and gasoline. We asked that the Environmental Protection Agency approve appropriate higher blends of ethanol in a timely manner following the necessary scientifically-based testing.

The results of a year-long study undertaken by the State of Minnesota and the Renewable Fuels Association on 20 percent ethanol blends was recently released. The study evaluated the effect and performance of gasoline blended fuels containing 20 percent ethanol on today’s automotive engines and components. Importantly, the study concluded that the higher ethanol blends did not cause problems for current motor vehicle equipment. They further state, “Based on the materials compatibility and drivability testing results of this scoping report, there are no issues that would prevent moving forward with the comprehensive testing required to certify E20 as a federally-approved motor fuel.”

When I visited Brazil in 2006, I saw first-hand non-flex fuel vehicles capable of running on gasoline with blends of 20 to 25 percent ethanol. Given that Chrysler (Ford, General Motors) sells automobiles in the Brazilian market, it seems your company could provide relevant, real-world data on the effects of intermediate ethanol blends in non-flex-fuel vehicles and engines.

Is Chrysler (Ford, General Motors) conducting research or doing testing on non-flex fuel automobiles with higher ethanol blends for the U.S. auto market? Does Chrysler (Ford, General Motors) have data or technical analysis on the effects of higher blends on materials, performance and emissions systems? Are you currently sharing your findings with the Department of Energy and the EPA that will help determine if today’s non-flex fuel automobiles are capable of operating on intermediate blends of ethanol? To what degree is Chrysler (Ford, General Motors) making available to the DOE and EPA findings on the compatibility, drivability and emissions results from Chrysler’s (Ford, General Motors) vehicle testing?

If we’re going to address the technical issues related to higher ethanol blends and decrease our dependence on foreign oil, it needs to be a cooperative effort between the public and private sectors. I hope to hear from you soon regarding your efforts to address the feasibility of higher ethanol blends in non-flex-fuel vehicles and learn of Chrysler’s (Ford, General Motors) efforts to share this information.

Thank you for your consideration and prompt reply.

Sincerely,

Charles E. Grassley
United States Senator

Source: Senator Chuck Grassley

READ MORE

• Senators Push President to Approve Higher Ethanol Blends
• E20 Passes Performance Tests
  
• Midwest Governors Agree to Boost Renewable Energy
• Governors Call for Improving Alternative Fuels

Subscribe to updates by Email
Search FoodandFuelAmerica.com



Food and Fuel America.com
http://www.foodandfuelamerica.com
Good and Balanced Food and Fuel News!

$3.33 Is The Unlucky Price of Gasoline

The average price of gasoline rose 4 cents this week to $3.33 a gallon according to the US Department of Energy. This is up over 53 cents from a year ago.

The average price per diesel price, $3.95 per gallon, also was up over $1.11 from a year ago at this time.

Source: US Department of Energy

READ MORE

• Ethanol Saves Money
  
• When Oil Prices Rise, So Does Just About Everything Else
• Biofuel Myths vs Facts
• Rep. Herseth Sandlin Questions Oil Execs
• New Report Predicts $150 a Barrel Oil
• New Oil Wealth is Altering World Politics

Subscribe to updates by Email
Search FoodandFuelAmerica.com



Food and Fuel America.com
http://www.foodandfuelamerica.com
Good and Balanced Food and Fuel News!

High Fuel Costs Say "Aloha"!

American holidays are going to be a bit less festive this year due to the high cost of jet fuel.

Say "Aloha" to less family travel, higher prices, less flights and more passenger air rage.

The recent bankruptcy announcements by ATA and Aloha Airlines are just two recent examples of the toll that higher priced oil is taking on the airline industry. The airline shutdown left thousands of stranded travelers and thousands of employees without jobs.

According to IATA (the International Air Transport Association), jet fuel prices have increased 62% from one year ago.

Forbes magazine made several distinct points recently about this air disaster:

• high jet fuel prices are taking their toll on Aloha Airgroup.
  
  
• The rising price of oil has been taking its toll on legacy airlines as well. United Airlines, owned by UAL Corp , announced Thursday that it would be cutting back the size of its fleet to cut costs. Delta Air Lines reported fleet contraction and job cuts last week as well.
  

• The cost of crude is like a plague on all of the airlines causing operating costs to rise and cuts to be made.

But the damage from America's love affair for foreign oil isn't just limited to leisure family holidays. Businesses will pass along the higher cost of air travel to their customers. And higher transportation costs for food and goods will continue to fuel inflation.

READ MORE

• When Oil Prices Rise, So Does Just About Everything Else
• Labor Dept: Energy Costs Fueling Inflation
• Gas Prices Creep Up Even Higher
• Consumers Face Soaring Gasoline Prices
  

Subscribe to updates by Email
Search FoodandFuelAmerica.com



Food and Fuel America.com
http://www.foodandfuelamerica.com
Good and Balanced Food and Fuel News!

Refinery Pollution May Soar

According to a recent report in the Chicago Tribune, global-warming pollution from oil refineries is expected to soar by as much as 40 percent during the next decade.

"While greenhouse gases from the tailpipes of cars get the most attention, the refineries that keep cars and trucks running also contribute to global warming. Fuel must be burned to make gasoline from oil, generating carbon-dioxide pollution." - Chicago Tribune, Feb, 2008

The report went on to discuss that the increases in greenhouse gases are the consequence of burning Canadian crude which requires more energy to process.

Source: Chicago Tribune

READ MORE

• Former CIA Director Warns Foreign Oil is a Threat to America's Economy
• When Oil Prices Rise, So Does Just About Everything Else
• Labor Dept: Energy Costs Fueling Inflation
• Big Oil's War on Ethanol

Subscribe to updates by Email
Search FoodandFuelAmerica.com



Food and Fuel America.com
http://www.foodandfuelamerica.com
Good and Balanced Food and Fuel News!

Food and Fuel Quiz, April 6, 2008

Food and Fuel in The News

Weekly Trivia Quiz, April 6, 2008

How good are you at Food and Fuel trivia for the week? Try our new weekly trivia quiz. Answers and scoring below the questions. Post your scores in the comments. Good luck!

1. Which state's new law will offer grants for E85 fuel pumps?

2. Big Oil execs were invited to testify before Congress concerning prices, profits and alternatives. In which House Committee did they endure their questioning? a) the Armed Services b) Natural Resources c) Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming

3. The US Congress quizzed Big Oil on their continued need for how much in special tax breaks? a) none b) $18 million c) $18 Billion

4. Time Magazine failed to present a balanced view with biofuel benefits and impact of an oil economy. According the Lung Association of the Upper Midwest, "did" or "did not" Time quote a single supporter of the cleaner-burning fuel in their cover article?

5. What did Rep. Markey think Americans might hope was just an elaborate hoax a) Big Oil's resistance to biofuels b) Big Oil's excessive profits c) soaring gas prices

6. Gasoline prices jumped another 3 cents this week. What is the average cost of gasoline in America per gallon this week?

7. Time's anti-biofuel article mentioned a UN food expert's dramatic condemnation of biofuel production but failed to mention that the UN Food and Agriculture Organization almost immediately distanced itself from the remarks. The head of the UN Food Program recently noted that were three things were big factors contributing to the high cost of food around the globe. Name them.

8. Under intense questioning by Rep. Herseth Sandlin, what didn't the Big Oil executives have available for the committee?

9. What percentage is US energy consumption expected to jump by 2030?

10. What factor besides weather, demand, and input costs are causing egg prices to increase?

SCORE

Earn 10 points for each correct answer.

100 points : Food and Fuel Champ
80-90 points : Great! Keep it up.
60-70 points : Good, but you can do better.
10 - 50 points : Need to visit the site more often
0 points : Are you working for Big Oil?

ANSWERS

1. Indiana
2. c) Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming
3. $18 Billion
4. Did Not
5. c) Soaring Gas Prices
6. $3.29 per gallon
7. Higher energy costs, erratic weather and low stocks
8. Independent analysis that backed up their claims that corn was increasing food costs versus the cost of energy to produce and transport food
9. 50%
10. Stricter humane egg production guidelines causing reduced number of chickens and higher costs

READ MORE

• Previous Quizes
  
• Big Oil's War on Ethanol
  
• Find Alternative Fuel Locations
  
• Food vs. Fuel is Rhetoric
  

Subscribe to updates by Email
Search FoodandFuelAmerica.com



Food and Fuel America.com
http://www.foodandfuelamerica.com
Good and Balanced Food and Fuel News!

The Cost of Humane Eggs Isn't Chicken Feed

A little secret to the high cost of eggs may finally surface. And it's not chicken feed.

Lost in the media frenzy to blame corn prices for all of our economic woes, the chickens have come home to roost on the higher cost of animal rights.

The United Egg Producers (UEP) and American Humane Assn. (AHA) have agreed this week that UEP will recognize American Humane Certified animal welfare audits as meeting the requirements of UEP Certified animal welfare audits. (AHA)

What does this mean? Egg producers will meet a stricter standard for caring for their chickens. More room per chicken, less stress to produce less eggs and more costly audits means less eggs and higher costs per egg.

Egg producers have been phasing in these new standards. And as worldwide demand for eggs has increased and the credit crunch has made borrowing money costlier, the egg producers have not invested the money to build newer facilities to raise the same number of birds.

But you probably won't hear about this from the egg producers or the media. Why discuss this little secret when all of the blame can be laid at corn costs? A dozen eggs only requires about 4 pounds of corn, at maximum. And that's just pennies per egg in costs.

The guidelines place top priority on the comfort, health and safety of the chickens and include:

• Increased cage space per hen, which is being phased in to avoid market disruptions.
• Standards for non-feed withdrawal molting procedures based on the most current, verified scientific studies.
• Standards for trimming of chicks’ beaks, when necessary, to avoid pecking and cannibalism.
• Maintaining constant supply of fresh feed, water and air ventilation throughout the chicken house and monitoring for ammonia.
• Standards for daily inspection of each bird as well proper handling and transportation.

(source: United Egg Producers)

PETA has had a similar campaign for a number of years for consumers to avoid eating eggs altogether and regularly pressures major egg buyers (for example, McDonalds) to meet higher requirements for egg and food production.

Animal welfare is an important aspect of our food production. But remember that it comes at a cost.

READ MORE

• Strong Demand Driving Higher Egg Prices
• Marketing and Demand are Key Drivers of Food Price Increases
  
• Inflation Surges Due to Fuel Prices
• How America Stacks Up on Food Costs

Subscribe to updates by Email
Search FoodandFuelAmerica.com



Food and Fuel America.com
http://www.foodandfuelamerica.com
Good and Balanced Food and Fuel News!