In The News

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...

Jul 19, 2024

Key Issues: Trade

Author: Bryan Goodman

The U.S. has made a strong case in the dispute with Mexico over genetically engineered corn under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, a top official in the Biden administration told farmers this week during remarks at the National Corn Growers Association’s Corn Congress meeting in Washington, D.C.   “This is something we will not rest until we get done,” said Ambassador Doug McKalip who serves as the chief agricultural negotiator in the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. “I know this is critically important, not just for corn growers, but frankly, farmers of all kinds. They say ‘we cannot allow trading partners to play loose with the science. If they can do it with corn, they can do it with anything.’”   McKalip said both U.S. and Mexican officials were given questions in writing by the panel considering the matter and both have responded. He said a decision is expected this fall.   McKalip said USTR is working on addressing unfair trade practices with Brazil and,...

Jul 19, 2024

Author: Bryan Goodman

The National Corn Growers Association elected four new farmers to its corn board this week. The organization also re-elected a farmer currently serving on the board. Those elected were Jon Miller of Pleasantville, Ohio; Jason Lewis, of Henderson, Neb.; Dan Nerud, of Dorchester, Neb.; and Jay Schutte, of Benton City, Mo. Randy DeSutter, of Woodhull, Ill., was re-elected to the board. “I was thoroughly impressed with the caliber of candidates who threw their hats in the ring during this board election,” said NCGA President Harold Wolle. “These new board members have a breadth of experience in agriculture, a long history of working to advance the goals and objectives of NCGA and are uniquely positioned to help take the organization to great heights as we implement our new strategic plan.” The terms for the board members begin on October 1, which is the beginning of the organization’s new fiscal year. The delegates at Corn Congress, held this week in Washington, D.C., cast their...

Jul 18, 2024

Key Issues: Ethanol

Author: Krista Swanson

Scott Gerlt, PhD, ASA Chief Economist Krista Swanson, NCGA Lead Economist Katelyn Klawinsky, ASA Economics Intern   The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), passed in August 2022, created a sustainable aviation fuel tax credit. This tax credit, called 40B due to its section in the IRA, is in effect for 2023 and 2024. The 40B credit amount is based on the carbon intensity from a lifecycle analysis for the specific sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) obtaining the tax credit. As such, lower carbon intensity (CI) biofuels receive a larger tax credit than those with higher CI scores[i].   While SAF can be produced from many different feedstocks, both soybeans and corn are options that can be used at scale. One option to lower the CI of the SAF is for corn and soybean farmers to implement specific conservation practices. Unfortunately, the requirements in 40B for conservation bundling severely limit the ability of producers to provide additional carbon intensity benefits to the 40B program....

Jul 18, 2024

Author: Abby Meier

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) awarded three of its members with the “Corn Advocate of the Year” award at its July Corn Congress held in Washington, D.C. Recipients include Tim Thompson of Ill.; Patrick Seyer of Mo.; and Brett Grauerholz of Kan.   “As a grower-led organization, NCGA brings corn growers, policymakers, and experts together to move the needle on policy issues that matter to our families and farms—but none of our advocacy work can be successful without strong grower voices,” said NCGA President Harold Wolle. “The three individuals receiving this award go above and beyond to advocate for farmers, all while managing their farms, families, and businesses. I am deeply grateful that they lend their time and expertise to NCGA’s advocacy efforts.”   NCGA members are chosen for the honor based on several factors, including their participation rate in calls-to-action, their involvement in NCGA’s advocacy trainings and leadership development programs,...

Jul 18, 2024

Author: Bryan Goodman

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) recognized Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) with its prestigious President’s Award today during its summer Corn Congress meeting in Washington, D.C. “Sen. Klobuchar is a tireless advocate for corn growers,” said Minnesota farmer and NCGA President Harold Wolle. “She thoroughly understands the agricultural community and rural America and is always at the forefront championing our issues. It is my pleasure and distinct honor to recognize the senator and fellow Minnesotan with this award.” Klobuchar has spent years in the Senate pushing for legislation important to corn growers and other farmers. In recent years she has promoted legislation that would allow consumers greater access to higher blends of ethanol. She has also been a forceful advocate for eliminating trade barriers that negatively impact farmers and she is working to pass a farm bill that will reflect corn grower priorities.   “America is stronger because of you,” Klobuchar...

Jul 15, 2024

Key Issues: Trade

Author: Bryan Goodman

The National Corn Growers Association, joined by five other commodity groups, sent a letter to Department of Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo asking her to consider the impacts on farmers as she reviews a petition by the agricultural chemical company Corteva that would place duties on imports of the herbicide 2,4-D. “Restricting imports of 2,4-D will have wide-ranging consequences for farmers,” the letter said. “American farmers cannot solely rely on Corteva, which is the only domestic supplier of 2,4-D, because there is not enough supply to meet demand.”   The letter also said that, if granted, the petition would cause availability shortages and hamper the ability of growers to be successful. “Restricting the availability of 2,4-D will be very harmful at a time when farmers are grappling with rising input costs and low commodity prices,” the letter said.   The U.S. Department of Agriculture projects total farm production cash expenses for 2024 at a record-high level....