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Title: Economic and environmental impacts of the corn grain ethanol industry on the United States agricultural sector

Abstract

This study evaluated the impacts of increased ethanol production from corn starch on agricultural land use and the environment in the United States. The Policy Analysis System simulation model was used to simulate alternative ethanol production scenarios for 2007 through 2016. Results indicate that increased corn ethanol production had a positive effect on net farm income and economic wellbeing of the US agricultural sector. In addition, government payments to farmers were reduced because of higher commodity prices and enhanced net farm income. Results also indicate that if Conservation Reserve Program land was converted to crop production in response to higher demand for ethanol in the simulation, individual farmers planted more land in crops, including corn. With a larger total US land area in crops due to individual farmer cropping choices, total US crop output rose, which decreased crop prices and aggregate net farm income relative to the scenario where increased ethanol production happened without Conservation Reserve Program land. Substantial shifts in land use occurred with corn area expanding throughout the United States, especially in the traditional corn-growing area of the midcontinent region.

Authors:
; ; ; ;
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE
OSTI Identifier:
991068
Report Number(s):
PNNL-SA-74718
Journal ID: ISSN 0022-4561; JSWCA3; TRN: US201020%%726
DOE Contract Number:  
AC05-76RL01830
Resource Type:
Journal Article
Journal Name:
Journal of Soil and Water Conservation, 65(5):267-279
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 65; Journal Issue: 5; Journal ID: ISSN 0022-4561
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES; CROPS; ECONOMICS; ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS; ETHANOL; FARMS; INCOME; LAND USE; PRICES; PRODUCTION; SIMULATION; STARCH

Citation Formats

Larson, J A, English, B C, De La Torre Ugarte, D. G., Menard, R J, Hellwinckel, C M, and West, Tristram O. Economic and environmental impacts of the corn grain ethanol industry on the United States agricultural sector. United States: N. p., 2010. Web. doi:10.2489/jswc.65.5.267.
Larson, J A, English, B C, De La Torre Ugarte, D. G., Menard, R J, Hellwinckel, C M, & West, Tristram O. Economic and environmental impacts of the corn grain ethanol industry on the United States agricultural sector. United States. https://doi.org/10.2489/jswc.65.5.267
Larson, J A, English, B C, De La Torre Ugarte, D. G., Menard, R J, Hellwinckel, C M, and West, Tristram O. 2010. "Economic and environmental impacts of the corn grain ethanol industry on the United States agricultural sector". United States. https://doi.org/10.2489/jswc.65.5.267.
@article{osti_991068,
title = {Economic and environmental impacts of the corn grain ethanol industry on the United States agricultural sector},
author = {Larson, J A and English, B C and De La Torre Ugarte, D. G. and Menard, R J and Hellwinckel, C M and West, Tristram O},
abstractNote = {This study evaluated the impacts of increased ethanol production from corn starch on agricultural land use and the environment in the United States. The Policy Analysis System simulation model was used to simulate alternative ethanol production scenarios for 2007 through 2016. Results indicate that increased corn ethanol production had a positive effect on net farm income and economic wellbeing of the US agricultural sector. In addition, government payments to farmers were reduced because of higher commodity prices and enhanced net farm income. Results also indicate that if Conservation Reserve Program land was converted to crop production in response to higher demand for ethanol in the simulation, individual farmers planted more land in crops, including corn. With a larger total US land area in crops due to individual farmer cropping choices, total US crop output rose, which decreased crop prices and aggregate net farm income relative to the scenario where increased ethanol production happened without Conservation Reserve Program land. Substantial shifts in land use occurred with corn area expanding throughout the United States, especially in the traditional corn-growing area of the midcontinent region.},
doi = {10.2489/jswc.65.5.267},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/991068}, journal = {Journal of Soil and Water Conservation, 65(5):267-279},
issn = {0022-4561},
number = 5,
volume = 65,
place = {United States},
year = {Fri Sep 10 00:00:00 EDT 2010},
month = {Fri Sep 10 00:00:00 EDT 2010}
}