Nebraska Cattlemen Association members this week asked for an EPA waiver on federally mandated ethanol production. The move is seen as a way to stretch out what could be a small 2012 corn crop due to the drought. NCBA President J.D. Alexander who ranches in Nebraska says the waiver makes sense and that it's time for the ethanol industry to stand on its own.



Alexander says extending that waiver would be the best long term solution.



Cattle officials say their market is being hammered by a corn market that is responding to drought tied to a government mandate and is not responding to a market based on market principles.