The Economic Research Service (ERS) is a primary source of economic
information and research in the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The
agency’s research program is aimed at the information needs of USDA,
other public policy officials, and the research community. ERS information
and analysis is also used by the media, trade associations, public
interest groups, and the general public.
ERS has a broad range of research on how agricultural markets and
natural resources might be affected by the increased demand for bioenergy.
ERS research on bioenergy encompasses all aspects of the ERS
research mission, including economic and policy issues involving food,
farming, natural resources, and rural development. The ERS Bioenergy
Briefing Room [http://www.ers.usda.gov/Briefing/Bioenergy/] disseminates
existing research and information sources and incorporates new
research results as they emerge. Ongoing bioenergy research focuses
on domestic and global agricultural markets; economywide, regional,
and household effects; natural resource, environmental, and rural community
impacts; and implications for food prices. Current research
areas include: