# Demand for Ethanol Stimulates Food Vs. Fuel Debate Among US Farmers By Rose A. Valenta | Published 2007-03-31 | World Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/demand-for-ethanol-stimulates-food-vs-fuel-debate-among-us-farmers References: [msnbc.msn](http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17878324/) & [msnbc.msn](http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17878324/) According to the US Department of Agriculture, farmers are anxious to cash in on the [demand for ethanol](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bamboo-biorefinery). So much so, that soy and cotton will be taking a back seat to corn-growing to the tune of 13.5 billion bushels. The food vs. fuel debate among growers has intensified because the US Government has legislated that ethanol be used as a “blender with conventional petrol,” causing a surge in demand for the product. It is expected that Brazilian and Argentine growers will produce more soy to off-set the void created by US farmers. The trade-off is the US will pay more for animal feed made from imported soy. Over the last three years, I have noticed a rise in the price of corn at my local roadside market during harvest season. In 2004, ears of sweet corn were priced at $2.50 a dozen; in 2005 the price went up to $3.00; last summer corn hit an all-time high of $3.75 a dozen. This year, I'm ordering corn seeds out of the Burpee Seed catalog, till in some [cow dung](http://www.trendhunter.com/trends/what-do-you-do-with-2-trillion-pounds-of-dung), grow it myself, and have it for 50 cents a dozen, with a little left over for moonshine. Photo Credt: judestoryteller WebShots ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.7/10 - Popularity: 15% | Activity: 29% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [World](https://www.trendhunter.com/world) > [Regional](https://www.trendhunter.com/regional) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Increase in Ethanol Demand:** The demand for ethanol is creating an opportunity for increased production and development in the ethanol industry. - **Food Vs. Fuel Debate:** The ongoing debate between using crops for food or fuel is raising questions and creating potential for disruptive innovation in agriculture and energy sectors. - **Rising Corn Prices:** The steady increase in corn prices is demonstrating a need for alternative solutions and technologies in corn production and distribution. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Ethanol Industry:** The growing demand for ethanol presents a disruption opportunity for companies in the ethanol production, distribution, and technology sectors. - **Agriculture Industry:** The food vs. fuel debate is calling for innovative approaches in crop production, farming techniques, and sustainable agriculture practices. - **Energy Industry:** The increasing demand for ethanol as a fuel source highlights the need for advancements in renewable energy technologies and infrastructure. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [High-Oleic Dairy Feed Crops](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/oleic-soybeans.md) - [Co-Branded Farmer-Supporting Projects](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/farm-rescue.md) - [Minimally Processed Bean Products](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/balanced-bushels-beans-and-pulses.md) - [D2C Dried Bean Brands](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/primary-beans.md) - [Youth-Supporting Popcorn Snacks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/boldly-grown-popcorn.md) - [Fertilizer-Saving Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/upside-robotics-precision-dosing.md) - [Buttery Smooth Whiskey Spirits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/country-crocks-cover-crop-whiskey.md) - [Nutraceutical Corn Varieties](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/global-food-challenges.md) - [Fresh Homegrown Sunflower Oils](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sunflower-oil-high-oleic.md)