| While crude oil prices continue to climb there is | | | | corn is grown, such as Iowa and Minnesota. |
| one old-fashioned method of heating that, for | | | | Frank Robison, who sells corn-burning stoves in |
| now, is very cheap - corn. | | | | Farwell, Michigan told a reporter from the Midland |
| Kevin Blind, a reporter for Lee Agri-Media, said | | | | Daily News that this method of heating is a |
| Depression-Era farmers used corn to stoke their | | | | "no-brainer" because not only does the money for |
| pot-belly stoves because it cost less to burn it | | | | fuel stay in the United States it also stays local. |
| than to haul it into town to sell. | | | | Not to mention burning corn helps the |
| Although heating with corn is no longer common, | | | | environment, he said. |
| Blind said the tasty grain is experiencing a revival. | | | | The cost of corn-burning stoves now range from |
| And various firms are designing corn-burning | | | | about $1,700 to $3,200. The cost to heat a home |
| stoves as an alternative home-heating system. | | | | throughout winter can be as low as $400. A |
| And almost anybody who has to heat a home | | | | bushel of corn that can be purchased for less |
| knows why alternatives are important. | | | | than $3 provides the same amount of energy as |
| In August of 2006 Light Crude Oil prices hit $70 | | | | five gallons of propane and 3.4 gallons of fuel oil, |
| per barrel. Since then prices have fallen, but | | | | Robison said |
| home-owners know that even at $59 per barrel, | | | | Getting your hands on a stove this season might |
| it is expensive to keep a home cozy throughout | | | | be difficult. The hurricane catastrophes in New |
| the winter. | | | | Orleans and Texas in 2005 created a demand for |
| At the same time, the price of corn futures | | | | the economical heaters that caught |
| dipped below the $2 per bushel level. Traders | | | | manufacturers off guard. Consumers are advised |
| familiar with grains prices knew that this was a | | | | to do their research now and get in line for buying |
| bargain because the yellow stuff was near all-time | | | | a heating stove before next year's winter season. |
| lows. Those folks who got in the market have | | | | Concern about rising corn prices need not |
| been rewarded, because as of December 2006 | | | | dissuade consumers from considering this form of |
| Corn was trading at nearly $3 per bushel. | | | | heat. Like farmers who hedge their crop price by |
| "At this time of year in this pattern, I can't give | | | | trading in the futures market, home-owners can |
| any better advice...than to get in," trading advisor | | | | easily learn to do the same. |
| T.J. Jolicoeur, of Paso Robles, California, said last | | | | Although this same method could be used in the |
| summer. | | | | Light Crude Oil futures market, it costs a lot more |
| Today's consumer likes corn as a heating source | | | | money and know-how to trade energy |
| not only because it is cheap fuel. Corn is attracting | | | | commodities. |
| attention because it is a "green fuel" and | | | | Those interested in learning about trading corn can |
| renewable, thus lowering dependence of foreign | | | | visit the Chicago Board of Trade's website, where |
| energy sources. | | | | free tutorials on trading agriculture products like |
| Heating with corn could prove particularly | | | | corn can be found by clicking on |
| economical for those people living in areas where | | | | education>publications. |