Iowa State University
Professor of Economics at Iowa State University and former director of its Center for Agricultural and Rural Development; farmer who grows soy and corn
PROFILE
Bruce Babcock
Guest
FROM Bruce Babcock
To the Point
Is Ethanol Doing More Harm than Good? Under federal law since 2007, gasoline in America has been blended with more and more corn-based ethanol every year. President Obama has been a major supporter but today, for the first time, his Environmental Protection Agency will reduce the mandate .
To the Point
Drought Slashes Crop Production, Pushes Up Food Prices The Agriculture Department reported today that his year’s corn yield is the lowest since 1995, resulting from the nation’s worst drought in 56 years. Corn prices have set a record, which could mean higher fuel prices, and there’s concern about food shortages elsewhere in the world.
Which Way, L.A.?
Drought and King Corn More than 1000 counties in 29 states – the most ever -- have been declared natural disaster areas. This year's drought is making Midwestern cornfields look like the Dust Bowl of the 1930's. With both food and energy dependent on corn, is America over-reliant on one crop? Will prices rise at the grocery store?
To the Point
Drought: A Slow-Moving Disaster Corn is basic to America's diet, from feed for all the animals we eat, to cereal and even Gatorade. We also depend on fuel from corn-made ethanol. This year's drought is making Midwestern cornfields look like the Dust Bowl of the 1930. Will prices rise at the grocery store?
Which Way, L.A.?
The Farm Bill: Real Reform or Political Bait and Switch? Every few years, Congress takes up the massive Farm Bill, with members of both parties loading it up with pork barrel spending. The latest version — totaling almost a trillion dollars -- passed the Senate today on a vote of 62 to 36.
To the Point
The Farm Bill: Real Reform or Political Bait and Switch? Every few years, Congress takes up the massive Farm Bill, with members of both parties loading it up with pork barrel spending. After George W. Bush vetoed the Farm Bill in 2008, the Senate over-rode him with 82 out of 100 votes. This year, the bill totals almost a trillion dollars with passage expected before the end of this week.
To the Point
Rising Food Prices: Has Ethanol Backfired? For 30 years, food prices have been declining worldwide, so much that, in western countries, obesity has become a major problem. But it appears that the era of cheap food has come to an end. As prices are rising all over the world, many Americans don’t have enough to eat.
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Left, Right & Center
No end in sight More than 800,000 federal employees continue to go without pay in what could soon be the longest government shutdown yet.
KCRW Features
What charter school growth has to do with the LA teachers strike The Los Angeles’ teachers strike has lasted a full school week . Class sizes and school staffing remain key sticking points in the impasse between United Teachers Los Angeles and the Los Angeles Unified School District.