True. But it might be cheaper to store the corn for a year and then dispose of i...

motorest · 2025-08-27T06:10:00 1756275000

> But it might be cheaper to store the corn for a year and then dispose of it, replace it with fresh corn.

I don't think any food crisis scenario in the US involves a road bump that spans a single year and doesn't disrupt existing crops.

dragontamer · 2025-08-27T04:21:35 1756268495

If you are disposing of the corn anyway, why not turn it into Ethanol and then burn it as car fuel?

The only real issue with Ethanol IMO is that corn Ethanol is preventing progress in advanced synthesis made out of, ex: switchgrass cellulose. There are better sources of ethanol if we invest into them.

chairmansteve · 2025-08-30T01:43:29 1756518209

"If you are disposing of the corn anyway, why not turn it into Ethanol and then burn it as car fuel?"

It costs more money and has a higher carbon footprint than simply using gasoline.

dragontamer · 2025-09-01T10:57:55 1756724275

More money yes.

The carbon footprint thing doesn't past review of the overall literature. There's one outspoken guy who has to bend over backwards and publishes media articles rather than keeping things academic who tries to make the public believe what you say, but I'm not convinced he's arguing in any serious manner.