Shrinking U.S. Corn Supply Trails Use for First Time in 16 Years - Businessweek
"Domestic feed, food and fuel production will consume nearly 89 percent of total usage, the highest in 40 years, USDA data show. U.S. exports, the world’s largest, may to fall to the lowest since 1975
as overseas buyers shift to other grains and suppliers, the government estimates. World inventories as a percentage of use before next year’s harvest will drop to the lowest since 1974, government data show."
I appreciate the passion and research that is evident when I asked the food vs fuel question 2 days ago.
It will not be solved here. Just as peace in the Middle East won't be solved here either.
I think it will be better, IMHO, when cellulosic technology can mature to use the non-food parts of corn and other bio products which may be under utilized, such as stalks, and things like switch-grass, which can grow in places corn can not, to keep up the current demand of Ethanol, without overly impacting the food supply needs of a growing world population.
Anytime your industry or business is relying on mother nature, you are at the risk, or reward, of what it will bring you. Riches or welfare can be in the cards for the same person in the same industry. Non food cellulosic use of bio waste and hardy crops that do not displace food crops would be a great way to
SUPPLEMENT the use of corn as well, to help corn have some leeway in keeping up with non-ethanol demand for corn.
Until then, who knows, but the global market alone.
ON TOPIC
To get this thread back on track regarding the specifics of E15, and its affect on the current car population:
It seems the consensus among car makers is consistent -
FIND OUT FIRST FOR YOUR VEHICLE:
https://www.consumeraffairs.com/news...es-engine.html
http://www.springerpublishing.com/ar.../12-03/t-4.pdf
It seems the experience of people here shows that higher E numbers can be OK for certain situations, technical knowledge of owners, and their particular makes and models and modifications.
My take away remains the same: If E15 becomes available near me, erring on the safe side, finding out what the manufacturer states for the year & model, and telling friends and neighbors that they have to pay attention to things like this at the gas station, will be my prudent course of action.
I think ecomodders are not even close to representing the general public (a good thing), but I think we ought to at least inform our friends and neighbors of the basics, and also give them our opinions as well, and people can decide for themselves if they want to go higher in E percentage than the manufacturer recommends.