Feed Grains Backgrounder

Linwood Hoffman, Allan Baker, Linda Foreman and C. Edwin Young

No 404171, Miscellaneous Publications from United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service

Abstract: The U.S. feed grain sector, largest of the major U.S. field crops, faces unprecedented demand conditions. The size and speed of the expanding use of corn by the ethanol industry is raising widespread issues throughout the U.S. agricultural sector. Debate is ongoing over the use of grain for fuel instead of for food or feed and the adequacy of future grain supplies. Increased productivity (yield) and additional area from land planted to competing crops, land enrolled in conservation programs, or idled land is expected to provide an increased supply of feed grains. In 2003, U.S. feed grain farms had an average annual net cash income of $45,916, compared with $8,875 for nonfeed grain farms. Average household income for feed grain operators in 2003 was $69,034, 17 percent greater than the average for all U.S. households. The outlook is for higher feed grain prices, in part, as a result of renewable energy policies and high energy prices, with feed grain prices rising above farm program support levels. During the ongoing farm policy debate, the U.S. feed grain sector faces uncertainty about the future level and type of government support.

Keywords: Agricultural and Food Policy; Consumer/Household Economics; Crop Production/Industries; Demand and Price Analysis; International Relations/Trade; Land Economics/Use; Livestock Production/Industries; Production Economics; Productivity Analysis; Resource/Energy Economics and Policy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 58
Date: 2007-03
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ags:uersmp:404171

DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.404171

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