USE OF ETHANOL COULD BOOST CORN PRODUCTS

U.S. Sen. Jean Carnahan is co-sponsoring a bill to provide expanded tax credits to spur investment in ethanol facilities such as one planned for Malden, Mo. The senator touts ethanol for being environmentally cleaner than standard fuels. She also presses the claim, as do all ethanol boosters, that it will expand markets for our corn producers.

In the latter she is surely correct. Along with other commodity prices, corn in recent years has been bumping along at near Depression prices. Something is certainly needed to boost the prices our agriculture producers can expect for what they grow.

Support for ethanol tax credits is a perennial among politicians from farm states such as ours. Taking such a position is pretty much to be expected, especially for one who will likely be facing the voters next year. Most presidential contenders, campaigning through Iowa for that state's early caucuses, can be found endorsing the same thing.

Let's hope something does develop to bring commodity prices up for our ag producers.

If it takes tax credits for ethanol, there have probably been less worthy needs and projects approved, this year and most other years.