Why doesn't the goverment push sugar beet production for ethanol instead of corn?

Question

Why doesn't the goverment push sugar beet production for ethanol instead of corn?

Answer 1

There are many things better than corn for ethanol, but companies have so much invested in corn it will be hard to convince them to grow something else.  For instance, big ag companies have created new hybrid corn specifically for ethanol production, there is BT and roundup ready corn, etc.  The ag industry has so much invested in corn, and so much power, it will be hard to convince them to grow anything else.  This is partly the reason that cellulosic ethanol is taking so long to develop.  Hopefully a new administration will push for changes in ethanol production.