Iowa

1
Iowas Position in Global Agriculture and
Bioenergy
Chad Hart chart_at_iastate.edu 515-294-9911 ISU
Extension ANR Lunch and Learn Bioeconomy
Community Conversation II Food, Feed, and
Fuel Ames, Iowa October 3, 2008
2
Iowas Agricultural Rankings
1st Corn Production Soybean Production Field
Crop Value Egg Production Hog Inventory Hog
Value on Farm Commercial Hog Slaughter Crop
Harvested Area 2nd Pig Crop Red Meat
Production Total Crop Value 3rd Number of
Farms 4th Net Farm Income Alfalfa Hay
Production Steers 500 Lbs. Over
5th Oat Production Cattle Calves on
Feed 6th Heifers 500 Lbs. Over 7th All
Cattle Calves 8th All Hay Production All
Sheep Lambs 10th Land in Farms Calf
Crop Turkeys Raised
Source USDA-NASS
3
Iowas Alternative Energy Sources
Ethanol 32 plants in operation 12 plants under
construction Ranked 1st in ethanol
production Biodiesel 14 plants in operation 2
plants under construction Wind Ranked 4th in
wind energy production Ranked 1st in ratio of
wind/total energy
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Value of Production
Source USDA-ERS
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Factors Behind Higher Crop Prices

• Strong export demand
• Weak U.S. dollar
• Biofuel growth worldwide
• Over 40 countries pursuing biofuels
• Lower crop production in several countries
• Higher income in developing countries
• Growing world population

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Cost of Purchased Inputs
Source USDA-ERS
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Net Farm Income
Source USDA-ERS
8
World Crop Production
Rest-of-World Soybean Production Up 1076
Rest-of-World Corn Production Up 99
Rest-of-World Wheat Production Up 63
Source USDA-PSD Database
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Projected World Crop Production
Source FAPRI, 2008 Baseline
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Factors Behind Higher Crop Prices

• Strong export demand
• Weak U.S. dollar
• Biofuel growth worldwide
• Over 40 countries pursuing biofuels
• Lower crop production in several countries
• Higher income in developing countries
• Growing world population

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• Thanks for your time!
• Any questions?