The total cost of Ethanol insertion into the fuel system (processing, refinement, transportation, blending etc) , the drain on our taxes by subsidizing this fuel source, impact on food sources, impact on farming and the increased use of pesticides....more money for Monsanto who makes the pesticide... engineers the corn to be more pesticide resistant
in a product that does NOT have the health issues weighed in on as Food corn.... They stand to make HUGE profits if this goes further... their money is squarely behind Lobbying for the increase in requirements for ethanol inclusion.
http://www.salon.com/technology/how_...tacked_hybrids
Pesticide Resistance is NOT an ethanol induced issue.
Pesticide Resistance does NOT result in increased chemical sales or applications.
Monsanto DOES stand to gain if they can can develop a crop that only needs ONE application of ONE chemical which is the goal of PR crops.
Our corn used to require three different applications of three different chemicals. We now use one application of one chemical and it does a better, cheaper safer job than previous methods. We also experience higher yields due to less weed infestation.
I handle these chemicals in 2.5 Gal jugs poured into my 1000 Gal sprayer. My risk is decreased by doing it once instead of three times. My cost is cheaper by buying the chemical (and diesel, for other farmers custom spraying rates) once instead of three times.
So what does Monsanto get? They get my business vs. the "other guy", because of a safer less labor/cost intense process.
Another note, Monsanto is NOT who I buy my seed or chemicals from.
In reference to Monsanto creating a chemical resistance problem, This has been an issue since the 50's. Weeds have the ability to adapt and change their resistance to chemicals. Formulations are constantly changed to stay ahead of this adaptation. The "Rocket" launch in the above article was natures launch, not Monsanto.
Keep in mind, I farm 3000 acres. If I screw up my management and create a toxic food product, or a epidemic of bacterial breakout, etc. I destroy my livelihood. I also destoy my family and friends food supply.
So how do I avoid this? Last year on my 3000 acres I spent in the six digits paying labs and specialists. All of the farms I know take monthly soil samples which are tested for alkalinity, chemical presence, and nutrient content. We then plan fertilizer and chemical applications to balance things. My crops have a better balanced diet than I do. We also take weekly and during july and august biweekly tissue samples for the same purposes. We have inspectors that do lab tests (using multiple labs in multiple states) on our seed, crops, and final product.
Does your personal garden get this type of attention?
So how does this tie to this thread? I am speaking from personal experience that many of the articles listed here are off base on their ties to ethanol.
I AM NOT as a farmer a believer in ethanol. The two most precious things in our lives are fossil fuels and food. In order to produce ethanol, we consume more of both than it is worth, and this only to have an inferior fuel that causes extra engine expense.
MTN, your link was dead.