As we here in the USA whine and complain about the high cost of gasoline the rest of the world concerns itself with far more important issues.
via World Grain
The USDA forecasts 2008-09 global maize production at 778 million tonnes, just below the 2007-08 record of 779.8 million.
The FSI category is dominated by ethanol, for which 101.6 million tonnes of maize will be used in 2008-09, up 33% from 2007-08 and up 88.9% from 2006-07. The huge jumps reflect capacity expansions in the wake of previous and upcoming U.S. government ethanol mandates.
12% of the entire worlds supply of corn will be pumped into the tanks of US automobiles next year. I wandered down to the local farm supply store yesterday. The farmers aren't complaining about the price of gas...they are complaining about the price of animal feed. The "E85" vehicles are barely in production and they are already distorting world food prices.
I'd like to personally thank Senator Grasley of Iowa for his tireless work towards creating a worldwide famine on a scale never before seen in human history.
Updated:via AP
In the latest bout of food inflation, beef, pork, poultry and even eggs, cheese and milk are expected to get more expensive as livestock owners go out of business or are forced to slaughter more cattle, hogs, turkeys and chickens to cope with rocketing costs for corn-based animal feed.
I had been hoping we were a couple of years away...but apparently not.
Again, I would like to thank Senator Grasley for his great foresight. I'll be thinking of him when I enjoy my bowl of rice for Thanksgiving Dinner.
I'd like to also take a moment to join with my leftard brothers...
NO WAR FOR FOOD
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