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The previous three comments, from three different people, all seem to think that we're stuck with corn syrup because we can't grow enough sugarcane in the US.

The previous three comments, from three different people, all seem to think that we're stuck with corn syrup because we can't grow enough sugarcane in the US. But sugarcane is not the only way to produce sucrose! Sugar beets currently account for 55% of sugar production in the United States. [1] What's more, sugar beets will grow in relatively poor soil. Top four sugarbeet-producing states: Minnesota, Idaho, North Dakota, and Michigan [2]. Notice how these are not states renowned for the quality of their soil. Idaho grows a lot of potatoes not because they want to, but because the soil won't support a more valuable crop. So, we're chewing up our best agricultural land and paying billions of dollars in subsidies to grow an inferior substitute to sucrose. Instead of growing the real thing on our marginal agricultural lands. It's not even close. Sources: [1] http://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/crops/sugar-sweeteners/background.aspx http://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/crops/sugar-sweeteners/backgr... [2] http://www.fas.usda.gov/info/factsheets/CAFTA/statesugarproduction.pdf http://www.fas.usda.gov/info/factsheets/CAFTA/statesugarprod...

rdouble 13y ago
Where beets are grown in MN and ND is actually some of the best land in the country. Sugar beet subsidies are an even bigger boondoggle than corn. As the beet welfare queens retire or die off their land is generally bought out by a larger concern and switched over to another cash crop like GMO free soybeans for the Japanese market.
- tanzam75 13y ago
  If you were being paid more money to grow beets on land that could support soybeans, why wouldn't you grow beets? It's economically rational to the farmer who's getting subsidies -- even though it's economically irrational for the world as a whole. Subsidies distort the market, and produce completely illogical results. You can't get rid of just one subsidy, because that just gives an advantage to the next-most-subsidized item. But remove all the subsidies, and things will return to an economically-rational state of affairs.
  - gohrt 13y ago
    > You can't get rid of just one subsidy, because that just gives an advantage to the next-most-subsidized item. If the total amount of subsidy $ is reduced, it will be an improvement.
paulyg 13y ago
I would be all about increasing reliance on sugar beet crops if it wasn't for one thing. Sugar beets have one of the highest utilizations of genetically modified seeds. If we are going to use mire of it lets get Monsanto out of the picture. The other thing is most people don't realize how many things HFCS is in. Ketchup, iced tea, most cereals, most "fruit" drinks.

rdouble 13y ago

Where beets are grown in MN and ND is actually some of the best land in the country. Sugar beet subsidies are an even bigger boondoggle than corn. As the beet welfare queens retire or die off their land is generally bought out by a larger concern and switched over to another cash crop like GMO free soybeans for the Japanese market.

tanzam75 13y ago
If you were being paid more money to grow beets on land that could support soybeans, why wouldn't you grow beets? It's economically rational to the farmer who's getting subsidies -- even though it's economically irrational for the world as a whole. Subsidies distort the market, and produce completely illogical results. You can't get rid of just one subsidy, because that just gives an advantage to the next-most-subsidized item. But remove all the subsidies, and things will return to an economically-rational state of affairs.
- gohrt 13y ago
  > You can't get rid of just one subsidy, because that just gives an advantage to the next-most-subsidized item. If the total amount of subsidy $ is reduced, it will be an improvement.

paulyg 13y ago

I would be all about increasing reliance on sugar beet crops if it wasn't for one thing. Sugar beets have one of the highest utilizations of genetically modified seeds. If we are going to use mire of it lets get Monsanto out of the picture. The other thing is most people don't realize how many things HFCS is in. Ketchup, iced tea, most cereals, most "fruit" drinks.