USDA chief economist Keith Collins told Congress last week that by the 2010 crop year there will be a need for an additional 10 million acres of corn than the average planted acres during 2005 and 2006. This acreage is needed to meet the demand for ethanol and maintain exports and feed demand. This assumes ethanol production increases to 10 billion gals. by 2010. Collins also indicated that 4.3 to 7.2 million acres currently enrolled in the CRP "could be used to grow corn or soybeans in a sustainable way."
-- P. Scott Shearer, Washington, D.C., correspondent