Corn turns into gold for farmers

Corn soon will be coming out of the nation’s ears if U.S. farmers have their way — enough of the golden kernels to make motor fuel and livestock feed. At least for a year.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture reported Friday that more than 90.4 million acres of farmland are scheduled for corn planting this spring — up 15 percent over 2006 and the highest since 1944.

John Wallbrown, owner of Deerfield Farms in Portage County, is among those aiming to grow more maize.

“We had 1,300 acres last year,” he said. “This year, we are adding another 350 for a total of 1,650. That’s over 25 percent more.”

Cleveland Plain Dealer