[Biofuel] Fwd: Ethanol from corn vs Biodiesel from soy,etc.

[RobertCVA]

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I have read various estimates about the net fuel gain from the production of ethanol from corn vs the production of biodiesel from soy.   (I'm aware that ethanol and biodiesel can be produced from other sources as well, but corn and soy seem to be dominate in the US.)   While the estimates vary, I would say that consistently the estimates for soy biodiesel are considerably more favorable than for corn ethanol.  I'm poorly informed on the economics of farming, but it would seem that farmers/ag corporations would see a greater profit potential in biodiesel, and that that would be good for the public at large as well.     Does anyone have any thoughts/information on why farmers wouldn't switch from corn to soy for the biofuel market?  Is it a matter of "market," in the sense that there's more demand for the ethanol?  Of the infrastructure cost of switching?  Or?   I apologize if there is information on this topic in the archives and that I was too inept to find it, and I apologize if my questions are "naive."   It seems to me that biofuels will play a critical role in the national security, economy, environment, and human welfare in many countries and I'm trying to educate myself on the issues.                                                                                               Bob

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