Rising Food and Energy Prices: US Food Policy at a Crossroad
Conference Focus
Oil prices in recent months have surged above the $100/barrel level. Food prices have also increased at the fastest rate in nearly 20 years. Prices for wheat have reached historic highs and are anticipated to remain high for several years. Prices for grain corn, soybeans and other basic commodities are also at or near all time highs. The impact on consumers of food and energy products has been profound. At the heart of both issues are energy products (biofuels)produced from renewable biological resources, including agricultural commodities and waste products. The focus of this conference is on understanding the role that biofuels can and will play in the costs of food and fuel for consumers. Who gains and who loses as the result of an energy policy that encourages the development of biofuels to meet world energy needs. In particular, what will be the impact on food supplies and prices if increasing amounts of agricultural commodities are diverted into energy production. The conference is designed to provoke a discussion on what food policy should be in the 21st Century, given continued growth in demand for agricultural commodities.
Final Report
Biofuel Production and Consumption in the United States:
Some Facts and Answers to Common Questions
Presented Papers
Babcock - Ethanol and Its Place in U.S. Agriculture (pdf)
de Gorter - Explaining Agricultural Commodity Price Increases: The Role of Biofuel Policies (pdf)
Langpap and Wu - Potential Environmental Impacts of Increased Reliance on Corn-Based Bioenergy (pdf)
Schaal - Projections for Energy Markets
2008-18 and Beyond (PowerPoint)
Huffman - Projections for Labor Markets 2008-18 and Beyond (pdf)
Penson - What Impact will Increased Commodity Prices Have on Land Values? (PowerPoint)
Penson - What Impact Will Increased Commodity Prices Have on Land Values? (pdf)
Video Presentations
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Mike Martin - OSU Video Archive
Bruce Babcock - OSU Video Archive
A. Michael Schaal - OSU Video Archive
Wallace E. Huffman - OSU Video Archive
John B. Penson, Jr. - OSU Video Archive
Harry de Gorter - OSU Video Archive
Bob Treadway - OSU Video Archive