# Corn, corn, corn. Uh.... **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 26, 2001, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/corn-corn-corn-uh/73814 "2001-07-26T02:45:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2001, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/corn-corn-corn-uh/73814/1 "2001-07-26T02:45:36Z")
We just moved to “the country,” and are surrounded by thousands of acres of corn. Corn, corn, corn. Corn everywhere. So here’s my **dumbass** question. Uhhhhhhh…… WHAT IS THE CORN USED FOR? There, I feel better now. Is it used to make corn syrup? Is it used as a filler for processed food? Or perhaps it is used to feed the cows on the farm? Where the hell does all this corn end up? **SOMEONE PLEASE TELL ME ABOUT CORN.** ---
**Author:** ![sewalk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b3f665/32.png) [@sewalk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sewalk)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2001, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/corn-corn-corn-uh/73814/2 "2001-07-26T02:50:07Z")
Al of the above, in addition to other uses, like corn oil, popcorn, corn meal, canned corn, fresh corn, creamed corn, etc. I feel like Bubba in _Forrest Gump_. ---
**Author:** ![Terminus\_Est](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terminus_est/32/3087_2.png) [@Terminus\_Est](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terminus_Est)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2001, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/corn-corn-corn-uh/73814/3 "2001-07-26T02:58:57Z")
According to the [National Corn Growers Association](http://www.ncga.com/03world/main/corn_consumption.html): [ul] [li] 58% - Feed/residual[/li][li] 22% - Export[/li][li] 6% - High fructose corn syrup[/li][li] 6% - Ethanol[/li][li] 8% - Other[/li][/ul] ---
**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2001, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/corn-corn-corn-uh/73814/4 "2001-07-26T04:36:39Z")
Well, Jack Daniels gets his hands on some of it and passes a portion of that on to me. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2001, 7:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/corn-corn-corn-uh/73814/5 "2001-07-26T07:52:50Z")
It’s probably maize (rather than sweetcorn) ---
**Author:** ![NutWrench](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nutwrench/32/20193_2.png) [@NutWrench](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NutWrench)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2001, 8:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/corn-corn-corn-uh/73814/6 "2001-07-26T08:10:33Z")
All your corn are belong to cows! ---
**Author:** ![Spooky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Spooky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spooky)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2001, 9:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/corn-corn-corn-uh/73814/7 "2001-07-26T09:52:47Z")
Mmmmmmm… it’s so funny you should mention CORN. I had my first freshly-picked local corn of the season last night and, damn, it was good. Been thinking of good corn recipes to make while summer is still with us. Guess what? I’m gonna attempt making green corn tamales tomorrow! Too exciting! I’ve never made them before and am very trepidatious. Wish me luck. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2001, 11:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/corn-corn-corn-uh/73814/8 "2001-07-26T11:25:07Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Terminus Est \* > \*\*According to the [National Corn Growers Association](http://www.ncga.com/03world/main/corn_consumption.html): > [ul] > [li] 58% - Feed/residual[/li][li] 22% - Export[/li][li] 6% - High fructose corn syrup[/li][li] 6% - Ethanol[/li][li] 8% - Other[/li][/ul] > \*\* Thanks. But what does the first item mean? Do the farmers grow corn primarily to feed their _own_ livestock, or is it sold? If so, who buys it? Other farmers and ranchers? And what does “residual” mean? ---
**Author:** ![ChoosyChipsAndCeilingWhacks](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c77e96/32.png) [@ChoosyChipsAndCeilingWhacks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChoosyChipsAndCeilingWhacks)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2001, 12:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/corn-corn-corn-uh/73814/9 "2001-07-26T12:06:47Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Spooky \* > **Mmmmmmm… it’s so funny you should mention CORN. I had my first freshly-picked local corn of the season last night and, damn, it was good…** I think there’s some confusion over the difference between sweet corn (what we raise in our gardens to eat) and what I’ve been taught to refer to as FIELD corn (which is sold as grain for the uses we’ve been discussing. The two are not the same at all. Attempting to cook and eat an ear of field corn would be akin to boiling you shoe, I believe. It’s used to feed livestock, make your corn flakes and other corn/grain based products, and also, when it’s detassled properly, it’s used as seed for next year’s crop. If you wonder why we need so much, try checking the labels on your five favorite products at the grocery store. Corn oil and corn sweetener (corn syrup) are in a LOT more things than you realize. Also, because I see the question coming soon, there ARE those who believe the “raise grain to feed animals” cycle is harmful and ridiculous. Some people think that if we got the grain directly to people who need it for food, it would be more ethical than using the same amount of grain to feed cows for beef that only a select few can afford. We could cut out the nutritional “middle man/cow” so to speak. -L ---
**Author:** ![sewalk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b3f665/32.png) [@sewalk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sewalk)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2001, 12:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/corn-corn-corn-uh/73814/10 "2001-07-26T12:15:24Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Crafter\_Man \* > \*\*[Thanks. But what does the first item mean? Do the farmers grow corn primarily to feed their _own_ livestock, or is it sold? If so, who buys it? Other farmers and ranchers? And what does “residual” mean? > \*\* yes and yes. Farmers that have livestock but no corn. Yes. It means corn left over from other uses and converted to feed as opposed to corn that is bought directly as use for feed. ---
**Author:** ![ChoosyChipsAndCeilingWhacks](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c77e96/32.png) [@ChoosyChipsAndCeilingWhacks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChoosyChipsAndCeilingWhacks)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2001, 12:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/corn-corn-corn-uh/73814/11 "2001-07-26T12:17:03Z")
[QUOTE] \*Originally posted by Crafter\_Man \* \*\* > [@](#): > > Do the farmers grow corn primarily to feed their _own_ livestock, or is it sold? If so, who buys it? Other farmers and ranchers? And what does “residual” mean? > \*\* Oops…I could have partially answered your question in my previous post, and I didn’t. Farmers generally don’t raise crops to feed their OWN livestock. That’s particularly so in today’s market where farms tend to be dedicated to ONE purpose, i.e., either solely a grain farm, or solely for livestock. It’s not practical or profitable to own equipment and labor expenses for both types of work. Typically, large amounts of grain from the former is sold at the Board of Trade to huge grain companies, who in turn market their “wares” to Kellogs et al. Prior to sale, the grain has to be properly stored, which involves the use of a fan so that it doesn’t become moist and rot, or burst into flame. This can be done either in large grain bins on the farmer’s property, or at co-ops, where grain from the surrounding area is taken for storage. -L ---
**Author:** ![sewalk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b3f665/32.png) [@sewalk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sewalk)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2001, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/corn-corn-corn-uh/73814/12 "2001-07-26T12:31:25Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by SexyWriter \* > **Also, because I see the question coming soon, there ARE those who believe the “raise grain to feed animals” cycle is harmful and ridiculous. Some people think that if we got the grain directly to people who need it for food, it would be more ethical than using the same amount of grain to feed cows for beef that only a select few can afford. We could cut out the nutritional “middle man/cow” so to speak.** Glad you brought this up. Most feed is “residual”, that is, corn bits left over from other uses. This grain is totally unsuited for human consumption. Very little is actually purchased directly for immediate use as feed. Taking the livestock out of the cycle would mean a lot of corn by-products discarded as waste. This is true for other grains as well. Very little land is used solely for raising grain for livestock consumption. Most grazing land would go unused if cattle were not on it, becoming overgrown and ready to go up in flames every summer. This argument is often thrown about by militant vegetarians that want to convert the rest of us by force of law, if necessary. It sounds good on the surface but has little basis in fact. ---
**Author:** ![lestrange](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/aca169/32.png) [@lestrange](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lestrange)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2001, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/corn-corn-corn-uh/73814/13 "2001-07-26T13:35:11Z")
> [@](#): > > \*\* > Typically, large amounts of grain from the former is sold at the Board of Trade to huge grain companies, who in turn market their “wares” to Kellogs et al.[\b] > > -L I temped for a week in the main offices of, um, a major animal feed producer. It was deadly dull–I read a novel all week, took phone messages, and occasionally typed a letter. But I was fascinated by what the folks I was pretending to secretary for were doing–they were buying and selling whole freight cars of corn. Actually, it seemed like a dull thing to do for a living, but I used to wonder about all that corn myself, and it was the image of all those trains of corn that caught my fancy. It isn’t just cows that eat corn in their feed–look at a bag of cat food some time. And the big animal feed companies make food for every animal imaginable (my mom worked in a lab with rats when I was a kid, and I had to giggle at the bag of Purina Rat Chow I saw there). Then, as other posters have mentioned, nearly everything is sweetened with corn syrup, and lots of things have corn added for a filler. ---
**Author:** ![ChoosyChipsAndCeilingWhacks](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c77e96/32.png) [@ChoosyChipsAndCeilingWhacks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChoosyChipsAndCeilingWhacks)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2001, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/corn-corn-corn-uh/73814/14 "2001-07-26T13:39:01Z")
[QUOTE] \*Originally posted by sewalk \* \*\* > [@](#): > > Glad you brought this up. Most feed is “residual”, that is, corn bits left over from other uses. This grain is totally unsuited for human consumption. Very little is actually purchased directly for immediate use as feed. Taking the livestock out of the cycle would mean a lot of corn by-products discarded as waste…\*\* Yes, and just to clarify, I mostly agree with you here. I am not a vegetarian, and certainly not militant. I am wondering, however, where the stats are for this information. Do you have any cites? Also, I’ve been told that much grain goes to waste as it is…in particular, that grain is frequently set alight to curb “supply and demand” problems tha cause farmers to lose money when the supply is to high. Do you know if this is true, and if so, how much is wasted? -L ---
**Author:** ![sewalk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b3f665/32.png) [@sewalk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sewalk)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2001, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/corn-corn-corn-uh/73814/15 "2001-07-26T16:00:55Z")
No cite, just experience from life living in a farming community and near a large mill. I did an extensive Google search and could not find anything that broke down “residual” and “feed” seperately. In all the statistics I found, they are lumped together. ---
**Author:** ![Wonko\_The\_Sane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/258eb7/32.png) [@Wonko\_The\_Sane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wonko_The_Sane)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2001, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/corn-corn-corn-uh/73814/16 "2001-07-26T17:36:47Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Crafter\_Man \* > \*\*WHAT IS THE CORN USED FOR? > Where the hell does all this corn end up? > **SOMEONE PLEASE TELL ME ABOUT CORN.** \*\* It’s so you have something to look at when you go potty. There! I’ve said it. ARE YOU HAPPY NOW??? ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2001, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/corn-corn-corn-uh/73814/17 "2001-07-26T18:39:02Z")
So **Crafter Man** do you hear the corn grow at night? Is there a freaky scare-crow that will come down at night and eat your dog? And what about the children of the corn? ---
**Author:** ![toadspittle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c0e974/32.png) [@toadspittle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toadspittle)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2001, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/corn-corn-corn-uh/73814/18 "2001-07-26T19:36:18Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by NutWrench \* > \*\*All your corn are belong to cows! \*\* I know this joke should no longer be funny, but god help me, I almost spewed soda all over my monitor when I read this.