Corn
Corn is the most widely produced feed grain in the United States, accounting for more than 90 percent of total value and production of feed grains. Most of the crop is used as the main ingredient in livestock feed. Corn is also processed into a multitude of food and industrial products including starch, sweeteners, corn oil, beverage and industrial alcohol, and fuel ethanol. The United States is a major player in the world corn trade market, with approximately 20 percent of the corn crop exported to other countries. (Corn, ERS, USDA)
U.S. corn production in 2008 reached 12.1 billion bushels, down 6 percent from last year's record. With corn yields averaging 154 bushels per acre, this year's crop was the second highest corn yield on record, behind 2004. Like production, the average corn price fell, declining to $3.90 per bushel from last year's record $4.20. As a result, the total value of the 2008 corn crop reached $47.4 billion. In terms of value of production, the top five states are (in order): Iowa, Illinois, Nebraska, Minnesota and Indiana. (Field Corn, NASS, USDA, 2008)
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