TSCRA Applauds Legislation To Phase Out Gov. Subsidies For Corn-Based Ethanol

The Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA) today applauded legislation that would phase out government subsidies for corn-based ethanol over five years and promote the commercial development of second-generation biofuels. The Affordable Food and Fuel for America Act, introduced by Representatives Joseph Crowley (D-NY) and Mary Bono Mack (R-CA) would force corn-based ethanol to become commercially viable without the assistance of government dollars and compete with other commodities that use corn for input, but don't draw on government subsidies to remain viable. According to the United States Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service, in 2008, feed costs for livestock, poultry and dairy reached a record high of $45.2 billion - an increase of more than $7 billion over 2007 costs. Yet farm gate cattle and calf receipts have remained between $49 and $50.2 billion during the past five years...cattlenetwork