Can't just mill it and eat it as you can with wheat. Needs to be post-processed extensively with alkaline water, plus what the threshers and mills turn out for

Can't just mill it and eat it as you can with wheat. Needs to be post-processed extensively with alkaline water, plus what the threshers and mills turn out for ethanol and feed ain't what you'd want to make tacos in the first place. Plus, maize is only okay in the diet, low in proteins and nutrients compared to wheat, it really needs some pulses alongside if you want good nutrition, so pulses would need to be planted a bit more or soy processing would have to shift over from feed to tofu alongside. Historical records show pre-Columbian folks in the maize empires (Aztec, Incas) were a bit malnourished compared to their wheat-eating European and meat-hunting North American counterparts. In the modern day, animals (eggs, poultry, dairy, swine, beef) basically post-process a less-than-ideal crop into something real good for the human. A few egg layers in the back yard, though, works wonders to turn feed corn into something nutritious for a human being.