Corn

• Scientists discover key to cold tolerance in corn - longer growing season, growth in colder regions possible for tropical crops- ct3/biopact_cold_tolerant_corn_energy.gif?t=1220145335">Demand for corn - the world's number one feed grain and a staple food for many - is outstripping supply, resulting in large price increases that are forecast to continue over the next several years. Part of the reason for this state of things is the heavy reliance of the U.S. biofuels industry on corn. However, if this crop's intolerance of low temperatures could somehow be overcome, then the length of the growing season, and yield, could be increased at present sites of cultivation and its range extended into colder regions.
  
• Researchers develop drought-tolerant corn varieties-
  
  
  Scientists from AgriLife Research, part of the Texas A&M University System, have developed drought-tolerant maize varieties that yield well. The crops are not genetically modified, but are obtained by crossing temperate and tropically adapted varieties. Dr. Wenwei Xu, lead researcher, seeks to develop drought-tolerant plants that perform well under reduced irrigation.
  
  With the continuing decline of the water level at one of the world's largest aquifers - the Ogallala Aquifer which is located beneath the Great Plains in the U.S. - and with increasing cost of pumping water, the use of drought-tolerant and high-yield corn hybrids is a key for sustainable corn production under limited irrigation, the breeder says.
  
• Owens Corning to Double Russian Insulation Production- Looks like the St. Gobian deal will be paying off in spades for Owens Corning (OC). Owens acquired the Gous-Khrustalny, Russia, production facility as part of its 2007 acquisition of Saint-Gobain's composites businesses.
  
  OC announced that it will more than double the production capacity of its glass fiber composites facility in Gous-Khrustalny, Russia, to meet growing global demand.
  
• USDA Reports Flooding Cuts Corn Acres-

• Corn Reaching Record Price Levels As Heavy Rains Continue- Heavy rain is causing corn prices to reach record levels. Prices have essentially risen for 6 straight days after Bloomberg first reported how heavy rains would cut the corn crop estimates. Global inventories are forecast to fall to a 24-year low as prices head higher for the fourth straight year. As reported in the recent article: