Groups are calling for an end of the ethanol mandate. Watch this U.S. Farm Report roundtable to see what that means for grain markets.

Should the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) waive its Renewable Fuels Standards (RFS) mandates due to the drought-impacted corn crop? That’s what the audience wanted to know at a recent U.S. Farm Report marketing roundtable.

Alan Brugler, president of Brugler Marketing & Management, says if ethanol demand is reduced, the price will likely fall. "If we said we’d no longer require the use of ethanol, that’s only going to knock the ethanol price down, which will make everyone want to use more."

Arlan Suderman, Farm Futures grain market analyst, says our agricultural infrastructure is dependent on ethanol and market indicators will drive the mandate decision. "Economics instead of policy will affect the market more."

Sue Martin, Ag and Investment Services, says she’s worried removing the ethanol mandate will also reduce the amount of DDGs available to livestock producers. "We certainly aren’t going to have the amount of corn we’re accustomed to," she says. In the current situation, Martin believes exporters could be fighting against ethanol producers.

Watch the U.S. Farm Report roundtable, from the 2012 Farm Progress Show:

Part 1

Part 2

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