Torsten Brinch wrote:
On Sat, 19 Jul 2003 16:42:12 GMT, Don Foster
wrote:


An exploration into the notion of how Iowa farmers would fare in feeding
the world produced an unlikely result: the soy and corn crops of thirty
three Iowa(s) would feed the world's population at 3500 Cal./day. I
would appreciate a review of my figuring if someone is willing.

Estimated world population 5/23/03 = 6,294,523,715 human beings

World kcal. requirements @ 3500 Kcal./day/human being = 2.20308E+13 kcal.

World kcal. requirements/year = 8.04125E+15 kcal.

Iowa 2002 corn = 1,960,000,000 bushels
Iowa 2002 soy = 494,900,000 bushels

Iowa 2002 corn @ 60lb./bushel = 1.176E+11 lbs.
Iowa 2002 soy @ 60lb./bushel = 2.9694E+10 lbs.

Kcal./lb corn = 1828 kcal./lb. corn

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
That number seems to me to high for nonruminant ME
(should think more like 1500 something)
------

You are right. My spreadsheet uses the correct number: 1579 kcal./lb.
corn. My posting mixed the numbers for corn and soy but the final
figures should be good.






Kcal./lb. soy = 1579 kcal./lb. soy

Kcal. Iowa corn 2002 = 1.8569E+14 kcal.
Kcal. Iowa soy 2002 = 5.4281E+13 kcal.

Total kcal. Iowa corn & soy 2002 = 2.39971E+14 kcal/year (2002)

World annual kcal. requirements/ Iowa 2002 corn & soy kcal. production =
33.51


My thanks,
Don Foster
Colorado