subject: The Corn Crop And Corn Futures [print this page] The Corn Crop And Corn Futures The Corn Crop And Corn Futures
Corn has been around since prehistoric times, although our images seem to go to that of Thanksgiving and Pilgrims receiving it as a gift from the Indians. The date of that exchange is often disputed, but the gift exchanged is not, just as we cannot dispute the value of corn. The following will explain the corn crop and corn futures.There are over three hundred million metric tons of maize grown in the United States annually. It is also the most largely grown crop in the Americas. Transgenic Maize makes up approximately eighty percent of the type of corn that is grown in the US. It is a type of hybrid that is resistant to pests and herbicides. The BT gene is responsible for its ability to be resistant to pests, and has been used as a substitute for pesticides. The US and five other countries are currently producing Transgenic Maize, they include Germany, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, and the Czech Republic.Because corn can be grown in such huge amounts, raising corn is one of the best ways for farmers to keep their livestock fed. It is nutritional, and keeps their animals full and happy. Not only this, it promotes good digestion for them.Sweet corn is delicious and it is good for you as well. Corn is not as highly publicized for its health benefits as some other vegetables, but it is filled with both protein and carbohydrates, and rich in folate, vitamin C, niacin, thiamine and fiber. We are told repeatedly to increase our fiber intake, and sweet corn is one of the most enjoyable ways to do that certainly. There are many wonderful recipes out there, with corn as the center ingredient. Not to mention how beautiful it can make a summer salad look.High fructose corn syrup has caused corn to have a bad name now. It seems that corn would be blamed for those who choose to eat too much sugar. The question is really, how can you eat too much sugar and not expect it to have and effect on your weight or health? Even the four main food groups are to be eaten in moderation for a healthy diet.Corn's future is bright, bright yellow. It continues to be grown in greater quantities in less amount of space, which is great for the farmer. Now, it can be used for fuel as well as for consumption. Like in the old days when they made moonshine, that was not useful, we have taken that idea and made ethanol, a fuel that burns cleanly.Ethanol burns much cleaner, and is better for the planet than gasoline, however, we have crude oil under the ground just waiting to be used, and a lot of people waiting to be fed. These are the dilemmas of switching from fossil fuels to ethanol. Thank a farmer today, and thank you too, because you took the time to discover maize and corn futures.
