Corn production in the United States
Newer varieties are much larger, due to plant breeding efforts of Native Americans and scientific research.
[3] According to An Indigenous Peoples' History of the United States by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz "Indigenous American agriculture was based on corn...Since there is no evidence of corn on any other continent prior to its post-Columbus dispersal, its development is a unique invention of the original American agriculturalist.
"Hominy corn" came in different colors of "smooth, hard kernels" which might be white, blue, red or yellow, or a mix of any of these.
By the time scientific assessment of conduciveness to grow corn in the United States was undertaken by Meriwether Lewis in 1804, the immigrant settlers had already spread its growth in many parts of the country due to its suitability in varying climatic and soil conditions.
Once the suitability of land in the central part of the country, the Midwestern United States, was scientifically established by Lewis and Clark, settlers moved to the area in large numbers, and started reaping large corn crops.
[citation needed]Over the centuries, the crop varieties underwent changes to get better yields, while farming methods were improved.
This trend has continued and now the corn production level in American farms is a significant 20% higher per acre than in the rest of the world.
The addition of ethanol to gasoline reduces the net greenhouse gases released by an average of 34%.
[14][needs update] On account of great demand for ethanol, corn is fetching higher prices.
[15] There are 80,000,000 acres (32,000,000 ha) of land dedicated exclusively to corn cultivation in the United States.
The farm practices have also resulted in implementing conservation measures which have reduced soil erosion to the extent of 44%.
[citation needed] Corn in the United States has been subsidized since the 1930s, when a drop in demand from post-war Europe caused a food glut and prices crashed.
[25] Other factors such as the weather or economic crises may cause corn prices to fluctuate or to rise.
After the Civil War, varieties were developed which were adapted to the state's soils and climate, such as Reid's Yellow Dent.
[36] Corn is a popular crop in the state of Indiana; it is mostly grown as animal feed.
[38] Although the state of Alaska has a cold temperate climate, some Alaskan farmers still manage to grow corn, through means such as greenhouse farming.
