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IRFA’s Shaw: “Corn farmers shouldn’t have to go broke just to pad the profits of other industries.”

JOHNSTON, IOWA – The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association’s (IRFA) Executive Director Monte Shaw today defended the federal Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) against industries calling for changes to the standard on a panel entitled, “Moving Mountains and Markets in 2014” at the Top Producer Seminar in Chicago.

“With corn prices at or below the cost of production, I find it troubling that other industries are still complaining about high corn prices and urging the dismantling of the RFS,” stated IRFA Executive Director Monte Shaw. “Corn farmers shouldn’t have to go broke just to pad the profits of other industries.  Farmers deserve to farm for a market, not a government program.  And consumers deserve choice at the pump, like lower-cost, higher ethanol blends. ”

Iowa is the leader in renewable fuels production. Iowa has 42 ethanol refineries capable of producing over 3.8 billion gallons annually, with three cellulosic ethanol facilities currently under construction. In addition, Iowa has 12 biodiesel facilities with the capacity to produce nearly 315 million gallons annually.

The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association was formed in 2002 to represent the state’s liquid renewable fuels industry. The trade group fosters the development and growth of the renewable fuels industry in Iowa through education, promotion, legislation and infrastructure development.