(CNN) -- Because of the severe heat and drought in the Midwest, global food prices are going up. Why? Because the U.S. is the leading producer and exporter of staple grains. We are for food production what Saudi Arabia is for oil production. Our crop shortages have ripple effects throughout the food system and disrupt the global markets, especially in the food-insecure nations. The U.S. hasn't reached 2008's level of high food prices yet because rice and wheat stocks are ample. These are the two most important food grains for human consumption worldwide. Corn and soybean levels are extremely tight, and their prices have skyrocketed since June. However, these two grains are mostly used as livestock feeds. Corn is also diverted to produce ethanol because of our government mandate.
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Kay McDonald: Expect the price of meat, eggs and dairy products to go up
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McDonald: America's policy of diverting corn to ethanol production is causing high prices
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She says if we must have an ethanol mandate, then we should cut the level by half
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McDonald: Better still, scrap the national ethanol mandate and let each state decide
@placeholder have already reduced their meat consumption over the past few years partly because of higher prices.
The mandate should never be allowed to use more than 20% of the annual @placeholder corn crop.