"Producers plan to plant 86 million acres of corn this year. While 7.6 million acres less than 2007, this would still be the second-largest area since 1949." F

"Producers plan to plant 86 million acres of corn this year. While 7.6 million acres less than 2007, this would still be the second-largest area since 1949." Furthermore, Soybean and Wheat acreage are both increasing. http://www.nass.usda.gov/Newsroom/2008/03_31_2008.asp http://www.nass.usda.gov/Newsroom/2008/03_31_2008.asp Even if we guess at 150 bushels/acre for 2008, with 86 million acres that's 12.9 billion bushels or 322-328 million tons (not sure which version of the ton the article is using). So 25% of the corn crop predicted to be diverted to ethanol. While this is a large increase since 2004, this is still just a quarter of a third of the total of Corn, Wheat, Soy, and Cotton crop. That's like 9%. The article points out that this 9% is more than their rough estimate of the shortage, but that's like blaming Florida for the outcome of the entire US election or for blaming a loss on the basketball player who misses a free throw in the final seconds of a close game. So the US magically switches off its ethanol production-- what then? Demand increases by that same level again and this time there's no ethanol scapegoat.