Unit 9: Grains and Oilseeds
Lesson 2: Exploring Corn- Teacher’s Guide
Estimated Time for Completion- 2 class periods
Student Learning Objective:
· As a result of this lesson, the student will…
o Critically evaluate U.S. corn production.
o Identify corn products used in everyday life.
o Understand the value of the American corn industry.
Purpose: A product that thousands of years ago looked like nothing more than a wild grass plant has become one of the most important grain commodities in the world, and certainly in the Midwestern United States. The impacts of corn prices extent far beyond the wallet of the farmer producing the crop. Used for hundreds of purposes, corns economic importance cannot be underestimated.
Directions: Access the commodities and products tab on the AgMRC website (http://www.agmrc.org) and find the link to grains and oilseeds. Utilize information located here to answer the questions below:
1. According to the AgMRC website, “U.S. corn production is used for livestock feed (37%), food products (11%), and ethanol production (40%)”. What do you suppose would happen to livestock feed prices if ethanol production began to consume 50% of the corn produced today? (Hint: Think economics.)
· In order to answer this question, students will be reliant upon their knowledge of basic economic principles (supply and demand, etc.).
2. What is a corn product commonly used in soft drinks, such as Pepsi and Coca-Cola? (Hint: Look at the label on a can of your favorite soft drink.)
· Go to the AgMRC website and find the “Commodities and Products” tab at the left-hand side of the page.
· Click on the “Grains & Oilseeds” link and find “Corn Grain” under the list that appears.
· On the “Corn” page, look in the “Overview” section to find the pertinent information.
3. Corn prices have moved significantly since 2005, when corn stood at an average of $2.00 per bushel. In 2011, “the average price…was $6.20 per bushel”. Today corn prices are back in the $3.00 to $4.00 range. Which sector of the agricultural industry has been “the impetus” for the changes in corn prices?
· Go to the AgMRC website and find the “Commodities and Products” tab at the left-hand side of the page.
· Click on the “Grains & Oilseeds” link and find “Corn Grain” under the list that appears.
· On the “Corn” page, look in the “Prices” section to find the pertinent information.
4. What are three types of value added corn that are discussed on the AgMRC website? (Hint: One goes well with a good movie.)
· Go to the AgMRC website and find the “Commodities and Products” tab at the left-hand side of the page.
· Click on the “Grains & Oilseeds” link and find “Corn Grain” under the list that appears.
· On the “Corn” page, look in the “Value-added Opportunities” section to find the pertinent information.
5. The Renewable Fuels Standard dictated “that 13.2 billion gallons of ethanol…be produced in 2012.” Further, the “RFS is scheduled to require 36 billion gallons of biofuels from all sources by 2022”. In accordance with these requirements, since ethanol production has increased the price of corn in recent years, what do you think would happen to corn prices if these goals were relaxed?
· Go to the AgMRC website and find the “Commodities and Products” tab at the left-hand side of the page.
· Click on the “Grains & Oilseeds” link and find “Corn Grain” under the list that appears.
· On the “Corn” page, look in the “Competitive Analysis” section to find the pertinent information.
Reinforcement activity: Corn Scavenger Hunt
Your teacher will assign either your classroom, part of the school, or your homes as the location for this scavenger hunt. When you have been given your location you will need to search there for any products that have been made using corn. You will also need to research to find the purpose the corn serves in the product. Compile your list and bring it back to class to create a full class list of all the products that use corn.