In The News

Sep 9, 2024

Key Issues: Farm Bill

Author: Bryan Goodman

Citing worsening economic conditions impacting the nation’s farmers, over 300 national and state groups, including the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) and its affiliated corn state grower associations, sent a letter to congressional leaders today calling on them to pass the farm bill before year’s end. Signatories included groups representing farmers, livestock and specialty crop producers, lenders and other essential stakeholders in agricultural communities across the U.S. Commodity and lending groups will head to the Capitol en masse this week to advocate for passage of the legislation with a stronger agricultural safety net.    “It is critical that Congress pass a new farm bill that strengthens the safety net as many producers are facing multiple years of not being profitable, and this is causing their overall financial situation to deteriorate,” the letter said. “Some will have challenges as they seek operating credit for the 2025 crop year.” The farm bill is...

Aug 29, 2024

Author: Stacey Stiens

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) is pleased to announce the awardees for the 2024 NCGA Scholarship Programs. Eleven outstanding students were selected by a committee of grower leaders to receive scholarships for this fall semester. NCGA is proud to continue supporting these vital programs in partnership with BASF Corporation.   "At NCGA, we are committed to securing a strong future for corn farmers through every initiative. These scholarships represent a key investment in cultivating the next generation of ag industry leaders and problem-solvers," said Dan Nerud, Nebraska grower and chair of the NCGA Member & Consumer Engagement Action Team. "The caliber of this year's applicants and the diversity of their skills is truly impressive. I'm eager to see how these students will contribute to shaping the industry and driving innovation that will sustain farms for generations to come."   Discover more about each recipient by exploring their full bios with the links...

Aug 21, 2024

Author: Dusty Weis

With priority legislation in front of Congress this fall, don’t miss the opportunity to make your voice heard.   Corn growers need to act now in order to support some important pieces of legislation that are moving through Congress in Washington, D.C.   The Farm Bill. The Next Generation Fuels Act. Opening up global trade opportunities to lower the cost of inputs.   Your lawmakers need to hear from constituents like you who support these issues.   And now is the perfect time to let them know.   With lawmakers returning to their home districts for the August recess, we have a golden opportunity to advocate for the issues that matter most to the agriculture community.   So in this episode, we’re talking to Lindsay Croke, the marketing director at Illinois Corn, and Luke Crumley, director of public policy and sustainability at Ohio Corn and Wheat, about how local advocacy makes a national impact.   They’ll offer practical advice for farmers to stay informed and...

Aug 20, 2024

Key Issues: Trade

Author: Bryan Goodman

The National Corn Growers Association today urged Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to resolve a dispute between his nation’s railways executives and union leaders that could result in a strike interrupting rail service into the U.S.   “If a strike shuts down rail service from Canada into the U.S., it will adversely impact America’s farmers who rely on rail to ship goods between the two countries,” said NCGA President Harold Wolle. “We encourage Prime Minister Trudeau, the Teamsters and Canadian rail workers to do everything possible to avoid such a strike.”   Canada is the third-largest destination for U.S. agricultural exports and the second-largest source of agricultural imports. Of great concern to corn growers, a strike could interrupt shipments of fertilizer imports and exports of ethanol, corn and byproducts used as animal feed.   The Teamsters have been at an impasse with the Canadian National Railways and the National Pacific Kansas City over labor contracts....

Aug 6, 2024

Key Issues: Trade

Author: Bryan Goodman

Eighteen members of Congress sent a letter to Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo yesterday saying they are concerned that tariffs on imports of a widely used herbicide – called 2,4-D – could compromise reliable, affordable access to agricultural inputs. The effort was led by Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Reps. Adrian Smith (R-Neb.) and Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.).   “Agricultural producers already face record high input costs while competing in a volatile market and prices for all crops are forecasted to decline over the next several years,” the representatives said.  “Without careful consideration of the facts during these preliminary investigations, new tariffs will result in difficulties for producers who rely on this critical input. This will only exacerbate their economic challenges.” The National Corn Growers Association supported the congressional effort. “Duties on 2,4-D imports would intensify what is already a difficult period for many growers as key input costs...

Aug 2, 2024

Key Issues: Farm Bill

Author: Bryan Goodman

As members of Congress head to their home states and districts for the August recess, the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) is reminding Representatives and Senators that the farm bill is still on their legislative to-do list this year.   “The farm bill is a top legislative priority for corn growers and agriculture at large,” said Minnesota farmer and NCGA President Harold Wolle. “There is still an opportunity to build upon the 2018 farm bill by strengthening the commodity, conservation, trade and crop insurance titles and USDA programs."   The farm bill was originally scheduled for reauthorization in 2023. Last November, Congress voted to extend the legislation to September 30, 2024, with the Agriculture Committee leaders committing to work together to pass the legislation this year.   “We are counting on our elected officials to find a path forward for a strong bipartisan farm bill that can be signed into law this year,” Wolle said. “Let’s get it...

Jul 26, 2024

Author: Maddie Weber

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) recently announced that Shea McCabe has been promoted to the director of accounting and finance at the organization.    McCabe has worked at NCGA since 2020 as the accounting manager.     With NCGA’s recent finalization of a new strategic plan, McCabe has been a dynamic force in aligning budgetary considerations and accounting processes into the three pillars of the plan, according to NCGA leaders.    “I'm excited that Shea is taking on this new role,” said Jim Bauman, vice president of market development at NCGA. “Her track record of innovative problem-solving, coupled with a forward-thinking approach to organizational management, make her well-equipped to lead the accounting team during this critical time. She is the perfect person to ensure that our financial practices support and drive NCGA’s organizational goals.“    Along with the new position, McCabe will also serve as the treasurer of the NCGA Corn Board.    “This is...

Jul 26, 2024

Key Issues: EthanolSustainabilityEthanol Action

Author: Bryan Goodman

The Biden administration should set fair and reasonable criteria around farming practices for farmers and refineries seeking tax credits for sustainable aviation fuels, the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) said in comments submitted this week to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.   “Ethanol has played a critical role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions in cars and trucks, and we can do the same for the airline industry,” NCGA President Harold Wolle noted after the comments were filed. “But we need a level playing field that allows farmers to meet emission requirements using environmentally smart practices that will work on their farms.”   The issue stems from tax credits allocated under the Inflation Reduction Act for sustainable aviation fuels that would allow farmers to participate in this emerging market.   To produce qualifying fuels under the standards set by the U.S. Department of Treasury, biofuel producers must show they have lowered their carbon intensity...

Jul 24, 2024

Key Issues: Trade

Author: Dusty Weis

Industry experts are trying to return to science in the conversation around biotech corn.   Ever since Mexico issued a decree that banned genetically modified corn, there's been confusion and concerns from growers and policymakers alike here in the United States.   Mexico is the number one market for U.S. corn growers by a wide margin, and over 90% of the corn that's planted in the United States is biotech. Accordingly, Mexico's decree threatens market access and adds a great deal of legal uncertainty for our corn growers.   And ever since the decree was announced, organizations like the National Corn Growers Association, the Corn Refiners Association and the U.S. Grains Council have been leveraging every opportunity to push back.   Recently, those efforts resulted in a trade dispute settlement hearing under the USMCA, which represents the best opportunity to reverse this destructive trade policy.   So in this episode, we're going to revisit the history of the ban,...

Jul 23, 2024

Key Issues: Farm Bill

Author: Bryan Goodman

A corn grower leader from Minnesota told the House Agriculture Committee today that farmers in her state and across the country need the support of a reauthorized and strengthened farm bill. The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) and state corn-affiliated associations are continuing to push for an improved farm bill this year. “Unless conditions change, I believe we’re heading into a perfect storm, a storm that I don’t think will be fully appreciated until early next year when farmers try to get loans but are unable to do so because they cannot demonstrate the ability to cash flow,” Minnesota Corn Growers President Dana Allen-Tully, Ph.D., told the committee as she testified about the state of the agricultural economy.   While farmers can feed and fuel the economy, she said, they need a strong farm bill that will assist when the chips are down.   “We have to have policies in place that reflect the realities of farming today,” Allen-Tully said.  The stakes of farming are so...