As uncertainty swirls around the future of ethanol, new data shows corn use to make the fuel has fallen in recent months.
USDA’s most recent Grain Crushings Report shows corn used for ethanol production in January was down 10 percent compared to December and down 3 percent on the year.
Corn used for alcohol was also down 10 percent in January and 2 percent off the year.
Related Stories
Bankruptcy filings reflect prolonged margin pressure, rising debt, and limited financial flexibility across farm country. Bigger operating loans are helping farms manage costs, but they also signal growing reliance on borrowed capital.
USDA’s February WASDE report, analysts expect minimal price movement as grain stocks remain steady. Traders weigh renewed Chinese soybean purchases, South American weather, acreage shifts, and upcoming USMCA trade talks.
Lower freight costs helped sustain export demand amid a challenging pricing environment.
Producers across the country spent the week balancing spring planning with tight margins and uneven moisture outlooks. Input purchasing stayed cautious, while marketing and cash-flow decisions remained front and center for many operations.
Federal assistance has helped, but the most recent row-crop losses remain on producers’ balance sheets.
Rebuilding domestic textiles depends on automation and vertical integration, not tariffs or legacy manufacturing models.