📜 The 1983 Iowa Ruling

What the Ruling Did

In 1983, Iowa passed legislation that declared corn-based ethanol production a public priority. It promoted ethanol as a renewable alternative to gasoline and praised the use of its byproduct—distillers grains—as a protein-rich cattle feed. This aligned state law, agriculture, and fuel policy to favor ethanol and corn expansion.

Consequences of the Policy

• 🔄 Reinforced a feedback loop between corn, ethanol, and industrial beef
• 🏭 Encouraged CAFOs (concentrated animal feeding operations)
• 🌍 Undermined climate goals due to high emissions from land use and cattle methane
• 🧬 Increased public health risks through pollution and meat-heavy diets

Why It Still Matters

Today’s ethanol mandates and subsidies are built on the flawed assumptions of this ruling. Modern science shows corn ethanol can be worse than gasoline when full emissions and land use changes are factored in. This outdated policy continues to steer agriculture and energy away from sustainable and healthy solutions.