Final answer:
The three main commercial uses of corn are for animal feed, fuel production (ethanol), and in various food products such as sweeteners and thickeners through corn syrup and high fructose corn syrup.
Step-by-step explanation:
The three main commercial uses of corn, as described by the documentary, are as follows:
- Animal Feed: Corn is widely used as fodder and silage for feeding cattle, chickens, and hogs. This is due to its cost-effectiveness and ability to quickly fatten up animals.
- Fuel Production: A significant part of the corn crop is used for producing biofuels, primarily ethanol, which is blended with gasoline.
- Food Products: Corn is processed into a variety of food products such as cornmeal, cornstarch, corn syrup, and high fructose corn syrup (HFCS). These products are integral as sweeteners and thickeners in numerous processed foods and beverages.
Corn has become a staple in a variety of industries due to its wide range of applications and the ease with which it can be modified through plant biotechnology.