Ethanol news misleading

To the editor:

Lately, I have heard a lot of news coverage by the popular national media on ethanol, grain prices, higher food prices, etc. It is my concern that a lot of this news coverage contains a lot of misconceptions, erroneous information, half-truths and falsehoods. Also there appears to be little or no rebuttal nationally by farmer groups, commodity organizations, etc. to this type of news that is very misleading.

I don’t believe that ethanol from corn will take food away from people in the United States or elsewhere. There is enough corn to go around, including exports and carry-out inventory. It is difficult to get food to some people in other countries because of transportation problems going inland from ports, climate, and the political situations within countries. Corn is NOT in short supply, but rice is.

Sources for alternative energy have to come from somewhere and corn was a logical first step.