In The News

May 1, 2024

Key Issues: New Uses

Author: Bryan Goodman

An announcement this week by the U.S. Department of Treasury regarding the final guidance on eligibility for the Sustainable Aviation Fuel tax credits enacted in the Inflation Reduction Act was met with concern from leaders at the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) who say they are now committed to ensuring that the updated guidelines for the credit are vastly improved.    NCGA raised specific issues with the changes Treasury made to the Department of Energy’s GREET model, which is used to measure greenhouse gas emissions and will be a crucial mechanism in determining who receives the tax credit.   Corn grower leaders said they are particularly troubled that the updated model requires farmers to bundle the use of no-till practices, enhanced efficiency fertilizers and cover crops for their grain to meet the standards now required to qualify for the tax credit.   “We are deeply disappointed that this updated model requires farmers to implement environmental practices that...

May 1, 2024

Author: Stacey Stiens

Celebrating a remarkable milestone, the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) proudly announces the launch of its 60th annual Yield Contest this Wednesday, May 1. This iconic event—spanning six decades—has been a testament to the ingenuity and dedication of corn growers across the nation. From humble beginnings to its current prominence, the contest continues to attract participants eager to push the boundaries of agricultural innovation.   "As we celebrate sixty years of the Yield Contest, we reflect not only on the remarkable achievements of our past winners but also on the enduring legacy of innovation and excellence that defines this event,” said Minnesota grower and NCGA President Harold Wolle. “From generation to generation, this contest has not only showcased the incredible potential of American agriculture but has also fueled a spirit of camaraderie and collaboration among growers nationwide. As we look to the future, we remain committed to fostering this legacy,...

Apr 30, 2024

Author: Krista Swanson

The United States is a global leader in corn production, producing a record 15.3 billion bushels of corn on 94.6 million planted acres in 2023.    Founded in 1957, the National Corn Growers Association represents nearly 40,000 dues-paying corn growers and the interests of more than 300,000 farmers who contribute through corn checkoff programs in their states. NCGA and its 50 affiliated state associations and checkoff organizations work together to help protect and advance corn growers’ interests.    NCGA Quarterly Economic Report 2024: 2Q (pdf)  

Apr 19, 2024

Key Issues: Ethanol

Author: Bryan Goodman

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced today that it will use its existing authority to prevent drivers from losing access to lower-cost and lower-emission E15, a higher ethanol blend often marketed as Unleaded 88. The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) and state corn grower organizations, which have advocated for the move, praised the decision “This waiver is good news for corn growers and those in rural America who will benefit economically from this decision and for consumers who will save money at the pump during a busy travel season,” said Minnesota farmer and NCGA President Harold Wolle. “We are deeply appreciative of EPA Administrator Regan, President Biden and our congressional allies for all their work on this issue.” Under current policy, E15 cannot be sold at terminals beginning on May 1 and at retail stations starting on June 1. But the Clean Air Act gives EPA authority to temporarily waive these requirements to address pressing concerns, such as...

Apr 18, 2024

Key Issues: Trade

Author: Bryan Goodman

Six of the nation’s major commodity groups, including the National Corn Growers Association, sent a letter to the U.S. International Trade Commission today encouraging it to vote negative in advancing a petition by Corteva Agribusiness to place antidumping and countervailing duties on imports of the herbicide 2,4-D shipped from India and China.   The letter said if the U.S. International Trade Commission votes to continue the case beyond the preliminary stage, farmers across the country could soon find it difficult to access critical supplies.   The letter, signed by leaders from the American Soybean Association, National Association of Wheat Growers, National Barley Growers Association, National Corn Growers Association, National Sorghum Producers and the U.S. Durum Growers Association, expressed concerns that the petition could hinder imports and cause herbicide shortages.   “The imports covered by this case are the large majority of sources of supply other than Corteva, which...

Apr 9, 2024

Key Issues: Farm Bill

Author: Bryan Goodman

National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) First Vice President Kenneth Hartman Jr. joined a press conference on Capitol Hill today to offer corn growers’ support of legislation to make crop insurance more affordable for producers through the farm bill.   The press conference centered around today’s introduction of the Federal Agriculture Risk Management Enhancement and Resilience Act, sponsored by Sen. John Hoeven (R-N.D.). The FARMER Act has been endorsed by NCGA. “Increasing the affordability of crop insurance is a top priority for our farmers,” said Hartman. “We applaud Sen. Hoeven and his colleagues’ efforts in ensuring that these risk management tools continue to be improved and meet the challenges producers face today.”   The legislation seeks to improve federal crop insurance affordability by increasing support for the highest levels of yield and revenue coverage and enhancing the Supplemental Coverage Option. Original cosponsors include several members of the Senate...

Apr 8, 2024

Author: Krista Swanson

Motor gasoline use is expected to decline in the future even under a baseline case, but new tailpipe emissions rules really put the pedal to the metal – rapidly accelerating that process. This would be a major shock on demand for corn used to produce ethanol spurring potentially devastating impacts on farmers and the rural economy.       The New Tailpipe Emissions Rule The Environmental Protection Agency recently released its final rule for multi-pollutant emissions standards for model years 2027 and later light-duty and medium-duty vehicles with heavy reliance on the use of electric vehicles. The ruling dictates that sales of non-electric vehicles will drop from over 92% of new vehicle sales in 2023[i] to under 30% of new vehicle sales in 2032. In the EPA central scenario, that translates to a 6.9-billion-gallon reduction in motor gasoline use in 2032, a 5.7% decline from the baseline projection for that year. Motor gasoline use is expected to decline in the baseline, but...

Apr 4, 2024

Key Issues: Trade

Author: Bryan Goodman

Saying growers need reliable access to essential farming tools, the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) President Harold Wolle warned the U.S. International Trade Commission today of the consequences for America’s farmers if the agency grants a petition to levy tariffs on imported 2,4-D, an often-used herbicide that has been on the market for decades.   “The scenario under consideration has the potential to limit imports of an important product, raise its price, and create a supply shortage, all while raising the cost of production in an already tight market,” Wolle said. “Farmers are price takers, not makers in selling our commodities, and closely managing our production costs is crucial to our success. Thus, tariffs on these products would create an even more difficult economic scenario for me, my family, and the farmers I represent.”   Wolle’s testimony comes after Corteva Inc. filed antidumping and countervailing duty petitions with the ITC on March 14 over India and...

Mar 27, 2024

Key Issues: New Uses

Author: Sarah McKay

At the Advanced Bioeconomy Leadership Conference (ABLC) in Washington D.C., the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) once again sponsored and facilitated a special session, outlining the national incentive for biobased chemicals and renewable materials that NCGA, along with Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) and other partners have been working on.     The panel was moderated by Sarah McKay, NCGA Market Development Director, and participants included John Torres, Director, Federal Government Relations at BIO, Ken Rubin, president, Gross-Wen Technologies, and Manning Feraci, Principal, Playmaker Strategies. The panel highlighted the efforts to date to support industrial biotechnology and develop for a national incentive for biobased products. Rubin also shared Gross-Wen’s technology and his perspective on how this national incentive will benefit a variety of agricultural feedstocks, a key component of the national incentive. McKay emphasized the value and...

Mar 27, 2024

Key Issues: YIELD CONTEST WINNERS

Author: Dusty Weis

Growers who limited their nitrogen application still achieved incredible results.   Now entering its 60th year, the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) Corn Yield Contest is an institution in the agriculture world.   Growers from all across the country can compete against one another to see who can coax the most bushels per acre out of their ground, blending tried-and-true techniques with new and emerging practices to maximize their production.   Last year, NCGA launched a new pilot class for the contest, the first in its history to limit an input in the hunt for high corn yields.   So in this episode of the Cobcast, we're discussing the Nitrogen Management Pilot Class of the Corn Yield Contest with Nick Preissler, the first-ever winner of the class, and Jim Isermann, an agronomist working with the NCGA to design rules for the class.   Together we'll discuss the impetus behind the development of the class, the challenges and opportunities it presents and the specific...