In The News

Apr 29, 2022

Key Issues: EthanolFarm Policy

Author: Julie Busse

The following is a statement from NCGA President Chris Edgington on today’s announcement from the EPA issuing an emergency fuel waiver for E15 sales.   “We thank EPA Administrator Michael Regan for following through on the president’s recent announcement in Iowa and taking the action needed to ensure drivers maintain access to lower-cost, lower-emissions E15,” said NCGA president Chris Edgington. “We also agree with EPA’s assessment that treating E15 the same as regular fuel in the market maintains air quality. By acting today, and commitment to act through the summer, the Biden Administration will help increase the fuel supply by relying on more domestic biofuels and reducing our dependence on oil.”   Environmental Benefits of E15:  E15 has a lower RVP than E10 and, therefore, results in lower evaporative emissions, the goal of RVP regulation. Blending more ethanol to make E15 displaces and dilutes the most toxic aromatic hydrocarbon components in gasoline, reducing...

Apr 29, 2022

Key Issues: Farm BillFarm Policy

Author: Julie Busse

Today, U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Chairwoman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, and committee ranking member U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR), held the first 2023 farm bill hearing in Michigan. Michigan Corn Growers Association board member Allyson Maxwell testified at the hearing titled “Growing Jobs and Economic Opportunity: 2023 Farm Bill Perspectives from Michigan,” outlining many of the priorities that are important for corn farmers across the U.S.   “The safety net provided by crop insurance is vital to maintaining the agriculture industry in this country, especially in the face of increasingly unpredictable disasters like droughts, floods and extreme weather,” Maxwell said.   Maxwell went on to talk about the importance of assistance for new/beginning farmers, bolstering U.S. international market development efforts through the Market Access Program (MAP) and Foreign Market Development (FMD) program, and the role...

Apr 22, 2022

Key Issues: SustainabilityPollinators

Author: Stacey Stiens

Leaving the world in better shape than we found it . . . this is a tenet of policy written and upheld by our U.S. corn farmers. So, this Earth Day, let’s each make a commitment to amplify our impact on this front.  Let’s take time to share our conservation efforts!  Let’s illuminate how little changes can make BIG differences! Let’s inspire others to begin writing their own sustainability stories!  Here are some quick and impactful ideas to get started:   Review best management practices for your crop protection tools—like neonics—with Growing Matter’s BeSure! initiative. Consider planting a pollinator habitat!  Check out The Bee & Butterfly Habitat Fund’s Seed A Legacy program. Fill your tank with clean-burning ethanol blends.  Visit Gas Buddy to find the nearest station carrying E15 and E85. Maximize nutrient applications with the 4Rs (right source, right rate, right time and right place). 4 Nutrient Stewardship will get you pointed in the “right” direction! To learn...

Apr 19, 2022

Author: Cathryn Wojcicki

Join us for the second class of the NCGA Women and Mentors Program to be held in St. Louis on June 27-28. In addition to networking with other women committed to their success, participants learn how to quiet their inner critic, explore what they can learn from another woman’s leadership journey, and develop an action plan for their own mentorship journey. Each participant will leave the retreat with an action plan and mentorship pairing to help each other reach their goals.   In this second year of the program, participation is expanding to include a state, national, and industry staff component—creating a support network and a place for these women to discuss issues they face as women in a male-dominated industry.   Members of the new class will be welcomed to ongoing quarterly virtual leadership lunch and learn sessions already underway with the prior year’s participants.   Do you know of any women looking for the next step in their leadership journey? Anyone, male or...

Apr 14, 2022

Key Issues: Sustainability

Author: Stacey Stiens

A segment of the panel will be featured on the U.S. Farm Report on Saturday, April 16 at 9 a.m. CT.   The Success in Stewardship Network (SISN), an initiative of NCGA and the Environmental Defense Fund, breaks down the notion that only elite groups can improve environmental results. Conservation practices that protect the land and water are not only accessible, profitable, scalable—they are commonplace on farms across America. Recipients of 2022’s SISN recognition, the Iowa Seed Corn Cover Crop Initiative and INField Advantage, were honored at a panel presentation that was hosted by U.S. Farm Report’s Tyne Morgan.    The event, which was held in National Corn Growers Association’s “Born for the Field” booth, focused on the U.S. Corn Sustainability 2030 Goals and how growers are taking the lead in writing and sharing their personal sustainability stories. The panel kicked off with NCGA Board Member and Field to Market Chair Brandon Hunnicutt drawing the important connections...

Apr 13, 2022

Author: Dusty Weis

Leaders from NCGA, ASA, NAWG, NSP and AEM discuss the changing state of ag in 2022.   150 years of experience, at the very highest levels of the agriculture industry, was on display at the Commodity Classic Executives Round Table a few weeks ago.   As leaders from the five Commodity Classic presenting organizations, these five executives have their fingers on the pulse of the agriculture world and those issues affecting farmers.   Panel members included: Jon Doggett, CEO of the National Corn Growers Association. Steve Censky, CEO of the American Soybean Association Chandler Goule, CEO of the National Association of Wheat Growers Tim Lust, CEO of the National Sorghum Producers Curt Blades, Senior Vice President of Ag at the Association of Equipment Manufacturers Together, we discussed policy, supply chain, sustainability, infrastructure, biofuels, precision ag, the next Farm Bill, and just about every other issue facing the ag industry today.   And in this episode,...

Apr 12, 2022

Key Issues: EthanolFarm Policy

Author: Bryan Goodman

President Biden announced today that his administration would use 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 president made the announcement at a POET ethanol production facility in Menlo, Iowa, and NCGA President Chris Edgington participated in the event.   “Corn growers thank President Biden for ensuring drivers continue to have access to a lower-cost fuel choice and acknowledging how renewable ethanol helps reduce prices, lower emissions and improve our nation’s energy security,” said Edgington. “Farmers are proud to contribute to cleaner, less expensive fuel choices.” A 2021 court decision resulting from oil industry efforts to limit the growth of higher ethanol blends was set to end full-market access for E15 beginning this summer, absent action from the Biden administration or Congress.   With a host of factors driving up gas prices, including Russia’s invasion...

Apr 11, 2022

Key Issues: Sustainability

Author: Stacey Stiens

In support of the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) mission to create and increase opportunities for corn growers and the vision to sustainably feed and fuel a growing world, NCGA leaders established five U.S. Corn Sustainability Goals for 2030.  While the goals are achievable, it will take a unified and concerted effort to support farmers in moving the conservation needle.   The “Getting to Goal” sustainability webinar series for state and national staff is designed to offer relevant resources and create relationship-building opportunities in order to support on-the-ground efforts for continuous environmental improvements. The series kicked off with two sessions in the fall of 2021 and has reemerged this spring:   “The Economics of Sustainability” – October 26, 2021 Dr. Michelle Perez of American Farmland Trust shared summaries of nine soil health economics case studies (conducted through an NRCS CIG) and highlighted the downloadable Retrospective Soil Health Economic...

Apr 8, 2022

Key Issues: EthanolFarm Policy

Author: Bryan Goodman

Top farm and biofuel leaders responded to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) decision to reverse 31 controversial small refinery exemptions (SREs) granted in August 2019 and expressed disappointment with EPA’s decision to allow refineries with previously-granted SREs to not have to take additional actions to meet their obligations under the RFS by blending more biofuel or purchasing additional Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs). Biofuel and farm advocates had challenged the exemptions in the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, forcing the agency to reevaluate its approval for select oil refiners to avoid their obligations under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Leaders at Growth Energy, Renewable Fuels Association, National Corn Growers Association, Clean Fuels Alliance America, American Coalition for Ethanol, and National Farmers Union released the following statement on yesterday's decision from EPA:      “While today’s decision is an important step in reversing...

Apr 6, 2022

Author: Gaylen Holloway

A committee of the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) grower leaders has selected the finalist for the 2022 NCGA Scholarship Programs. As a result, eleven students will be awarded scholarships for the fall 2022 semester. NCGA is proud to support these programs in partnership with BASF Corporation. Learn more about the program winners below and read their full bios here.   Graduate Student Scholarship Winner: Carlos Bonini Pires, Kansas State University   William C. Berg Academic Excellence Scholarship Winners: Sponsored by BASF Corporation Valerie Bohuslavsky, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Ashley Hagenow, University of Minnesota Ross Herber, South Dakota State University Lane Remmich, West Texas A&M University Maleia Ryberg, Minnesota State University, Mankato   Technical School and Community College Scholarship Winners: Grace Dinius, North Dakota State College of Science Liliana Hill, Ellsworth Community College Bailey Lennemann, Central Community...

Apr 5, 2022

Key Issues: Research

Author: Stacey Stiens

The Corn Utilization and Technology Conference (CUTC) answers the question of how can we produce more quality corn, build new markets and continue to create opportunities for agriculture. While the ag industry can often be the target of unfavorable attention, CUTC brings an optimistic and forward-thinking focus on corn production quality and new technologies to build greater corn demand.  Productivity, adaption and resilience are key pillars at the forefront of 2022’s CUTC agenda.    An impressive list of industry experts will cover topics including sustainable aviation fuel, DDGS opportunities, fractionation, biotechnology, technology transfer, commercialization, mycotoxin management, wet-milling technologies, dry-milling markets and innovation.   This year’s keynote will be presented by Dr. Todd Werpy, senior vice president and chief science officer for Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM). In that role, Dr. Werpy leads the development of ADM’s scientific talent and technical...