I heard a story on the radio this morning: since the drought has wiped out Midwestern corn crops, rising prices of corn are putting the squeeze on ethanol producers and cattle farmers.
"The nation's corn crop won't meet expectations. Some predict it will be only two-thirds of what was planted in the spring."
"Since the start of the summer at least seven ethanol plants are now idle in states like Nebraska, Minnesota, Indiana and Kansas. Including shutdowns from past years... about 10 percent of the nation's ethanol plants are now offline."
"Many farmers are having a difficult time affording the feed for their livestock. Earlier this month, President Obama announced the government would buy up to $170 million in surplus meat as many producers are being forced to sell off their herds to the slaughterhouse."
http://www.npr.org/2012/08/30/160250546/in-drought-should-corn-be-food-or-fuel
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