The true cost of fighting global warming...

smurfalicious · 05-30-2007, 09:19 AM

oh the tragedy!!!

MEXICO CITY - Mexican farmers are setting ablaze fields of blue agave, the cactus-like plant used to make the fiery spirit tequila, and resowing the land with corn as soaring U.S. ethanol demand pushes up prices.

The switch to corn will contribute to an expected scarcity of agave in coming years, with officials predicting that farmers will plant between 25 percent and 35 percent less agave this year to turn the land over to corn.

"Those growers are going after what pays best now," said Ismael Vicente Ramirez, head of agriculture at Mexico's Tequila Regulatory Council.

The large, spiky-leaved agave thrives on high, arid land and can take eight years to reach maturity. To remove the plants, growers cut them at their stems and often burn the fields to remove the roots.

Tequila, drunk in shots and cocktails around the world, is named after a town in the western Mexican state of Jalisco.

Production of agave, from the lily family, soared in recent years as farmers cashed in on record prices brought about by a shortage of the plant at the start of the decade.

Despite rapid growth in tequila drinking, especially overseas, the over-supply of agave has driven prices for the plant to rock-bottom levels.

Many growers have started to abandon the crop in favor of corn, whose price has rocketed in line with massive growth in U.S. demand for ethanol after President Bush outlined targets last year to use the corn-based fuel as a gasoline alternative.

Agave supply is also being hit this year by disease in the fields, partly due to farmers caring less for the plants after prices dropped.

"The problem that we are going to see, perhaps by mid-2008, is that a lot of agave is sick," Agriculture Ministry official Arnulfo del Toro said. "That will have to be taken out and production is going to drop a lot."

Griff · 05-30-2007, 09:45 AM

I just switched sides. That is just evil.

glatt · 05-30-2007, 10:40 AM

No, not the tequila!

BigV · 06-01-2007, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Griff

I just switched sides. That is just evil.

Spoken like a true Everclear virgin.

**Tequila** is evil. Kill it with fire, its the only way to be sure.

xoxoxoBruce · 06-01-2007, 04:14 PM

I used to get Everclear at the PA State(booze) stores. They kept it behind the counter in pints. Have to sign for it too.
I went to a NJ liquor store and asked for it at the counter. The guy told me they were out of pints.... but they had quarts and half gallons, out on the floor. Heaven.

Griff · 06-01-2007, 04:21 PM

We used to make fruity garbage pail drinks with that stuff!

05-30-2007, 09:19 AM	#1
smurfalicious Tool. Not the band - you are one. Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: 501 Northlake Blvd., North Palm Beach FL Posts: 329	oh the tragedy!!! MEXICO CITY - Mexican farmers are setting ablaze fields of blue agave, the cactus-like plant used to make the fiery spirit tequila, and resowing the land with corn as soaring U.S. ethanol demand pushes up prices. The switch to corn will contribute to an expected scarcity of agave in coming years, with officials predicting that farmers will plant between 25 percent and 35 percent less agave this year to turn the land over to corn. "Those growers are going after what pays best now," said Ismael Vicente Ramirez, head of agriculture at Mexico's Tequila Regulatory Council. The large, spiky-leaved agave thrives on high, arid land and can take eight years to reach maturity. To remove the plants, growers cut them at their stems and often burn the fields to remove the roots. Tequila, drunk in shots and cocktails around the world, is named after a town in the western Mexican state of Jalisco. Production of agave, from the lily family, soared in recent years as farmers cashed in on record prices brought about by a shortage of the plant at the start of the decade. Despite rapid growth in tequila drinking, especially overseas, the over-supply of agave has driven prices for the plant to rock-bottom levels. Many growers have started to abandon the crop in favor of corn, whose price has rocketed in line with massive growth in U.S. demand for ethanol after President Bush outlined targets last year to use the corn-based fuel as a gasoline alternative. Agave supply is also being hit this year by disease in the fields, partly due to farmers caring less for the plants after prices dropped. "The problem that we are going to see, perhaps by mid-2008, is that a lot of agave is sick," Agriculture Ministry official Arnulfo del Toro said. "That will have to be taken out and production is going to drop a lot." __________________

05-30-2007, 09:45 AM	#2
Griff still says videotape Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 26,813	I just switched sides. That is just evil. __________________ If you would only recognize that life is hard, things would be so much easier for you. - Louis D. Brandeis

06-01-2007, 04:14 PM	#5
xoxoxoBruce The future is unwritten Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 71,105	I used to get Everclear at the PA State(booze) stores. They kept it behind the counter in pints. Have to sign for it too. I went to a NJ liquor store and asked for it at the counter. The guy told me they were out of pints.... but they had quarts and half gallons, out on the floor. Heaven. __________________ The descent of man ~ Nixon, Friedman, Reagan, Trump.

06-01-2007, 04:21 PM	#6
Griff still says videotape Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 26,813	We used to make fruity garbage pail drinks with that stuff! __________________ If you would only recognize that life is hard, things would be so much easier for you. - Louis D. Brandeis

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05-30-2007, 10:40 AM	#3
glatt ™ Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 27,717	No, not the tequila!

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