Fossil-fuel energy is used to produce corn. The energy ratio for corn compares favourably with that of other crops. During a full growing season, an average hectare of corn in Ontario removes 22 tonnes of carbon dioxide from the air. Ethanol made from corn and other renewable, biological feedstocks is used extensively as an automotive fuel. Ethanol represents a means of reducing net additions of atmospheric carbon dioxide emissions associated with transportation fuel usage.
Ethanol represents a renewable, home-grown means of reducing dependence on imported crude oil.
Corn production in Canada includes features which could be classed as sustainable, and others which are not. Sustainable features include the use of sunshine, carbon dioxide and rainfall as the principal ingredients for corn growth. With conservation tillage techniques and higher corn yields, future soil organic matter levels can be expected to increase when land is planted to corn. Efficient use of livestock manure represents one means of reducing the need for synthetic nitrogen fertilizers.