In The News

Oct 31, 2022

Key Issues: Research

Author: Stacey Stiens

High school science teacher Christine Girtain is being celebrated for one of teaching’s top honors—New Jersey State Teacher of the Year. Not only is this a testament to Girtain’s commitment to her profession and her students, but confirmation of her passion for her subject area.  She is always looking for new opportunities to expand her enthusiasm and her reach.  At the 2019 National Biology Teachers Conference, she discovered a booth which would bring her love of science together with the world of agriculture—Nourish the Future.   Nourish the Future (NTF) is a national education initiative developed by science teachers for science teachers. Their goal is to inspire a network of educators to foster critical thinking, connect students to modern agriculture, and provide sound science-based resources that meet teachers’ and students’ needs in the classroom.  Girtain became part of that dynamic movement in 2020 as part of the Teacher Leader Community (TLC) Class I.  She has continued...

Oct 27, 2022

Author: Cathryn Wojcicki

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) announced the slate of new and returning farmer leaders who will serve as members of its action teams and committees beginning on January 1, 2023. These volunteer farmers will actively shape the future of their industry by guiding programs and carrying out the policies and priorities that drive the association.   Current 2022 teams, committees and members will remain in place until the beginning of the new calendar year.   Leadership for NCGA’s seven major teams in 2023 will be:   Ethanol Action Team: Kelly Nieuwenhuis, chair; Rick Gruber, vice chair; Bob Hemesath, board liaison. Market Development Action Team: Troy Schneider, chair; Denny Vennekotter, vice chair; Randy DeSutter, board liaison. Member and Consumer Engagement Action Team: Dan Nerud, chair; James Kanten, vice chair; Dan Wesely, board liaison. Production Technology Access Action Team: Patty Mann, chair; John Pickler, vice chair; Jed Bower, board liaison. Risk...

Oct 26, 2022

Key Issues: TradeAnimal Agriculture

Author: Julie Busse

Viewers of Cattlemen to Cattlemen on RFD-TV will get a firsthand look at the value of corn and beef exports at the Port of New Orleans. The episode will re-air on Tuesday, November 1 at 8:30 PM ET. National Corn Growers Association's (NCGA) Market Development Action Team (MDAT) funded this initiative. In 2021, beef and pork exports accounted for 537 million bushels of corn usage.   “The U.S. is the world’s leading exporter of corn and when you pair that with the success of exports of the beef industry, it is an important demand driver for corn farmers,” said National Corn Growers Association President and Minnesota farmer Tom Haag. “Being at the Port of New Orleans for this episode was a great backdrop because of the amount of agricultural goods and product that goes out of this port.”   Panel participants include Tom Haag, NCGA President and Minnesota farmer; National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) President and Minnesota farmer Don Schiefelbein; NCGA Market Development...

Oct 25, 2022

Author: Kris Martinez

Online registration and housing for the 2023 Commodity Classic will open on November 15, 2022. America’s largest farmer-led agricultural and educational experience will be held Thursday, March 9 through Saturday, March 11 in Orlando.   To register, reserve hotel rooms, sign up for email updates, and register for optional tours in and around Orlando, visit CommodityClassic.com. A list of exhibiting companies, a map of the trade show floor, and the registration brochure can also be found online.   Early discounts on registration end January 20, 2023.   Commodity Classic features a robust schedule of over 30 educational sessions, a trade show with more than 330 exhibitors featuring the latest technology, equipment and innovation, top-notch entertainment, inspiring speakers, unique tours, and the opportunity to network with thousands of farmers from across the nation.   “Commodity Classic brings together a huge trade show with the best farmers, education, technology, and...

Oct 24, 2022

Key Issues: Trade

Author: Bryan Goodman

Calls from corn grower leaders are growing louder for the United States Trade Representative to intervene in a trade dispute with Mexico over corn imports.   The response from corn growers comes as Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s promises to enact a decree that would end imports of corn grown using biotech and certain herbicides by 2024. Biotech corn makes up over 90% of U.S. corn crops.   An opinion piece by NCGA President Tom Haag was published over the weekend in The Hill, a newspaper widely read by Congress and other Washington decision-makers, calling on USTR to file a settlement dispute under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement over the matter.   “If the decree is enacted, the negative impact will be felt by farmers in the U.S. and by the people of Mexico,” Haag noted. “We’re now looking to the Biden administration to intervene to ensure that corn exports to Mexico don’t come to a sudden stop.” NCGA has been at the forefront of this issue. In a major

Oct 19, 2022

Key Issues: EthanolFarm Policy

Author: Julie Busse

With the Department of Energy’s announcement to release 15 million barrels of oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) called on policymakers to advance ethanol as a solution to increase the nation’s fuel supply and lower prices for American consumers at the pump. NCGA also highlighted a new report that found nationwide E15 sales would save drivers over $20 billion in annual fuel costs.   “We welcome the administration’s continued focus on energy security, but we can’t lose sight of the need for long-term solutions,” NCGA Vice President of Public Policy Brooke Appleton said. “While a further SPR release may provide some short-term relief, expanding access to higher biofuel blends and advancing fuel policy solutions help extend fuel supplies, lower costs for consumers and shore-up America’s energy security for the long run.”   Ethanol adds nearly 15 billion gallons to our fuel supply every year, lowering demand for high-cost oil...

Oct 19, 2022

Key Issues: EthanolFarm Policy

Author: Bryan Goodman

Thirteen senators wrote U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael Regan today urging him to set strong volume requirements for 2023 under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). The bipartisan group, led by Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), also encouraged the administrator to use the pending rulemaking to optimize the RFS to deliver greater environmental and economic benefits from renewable fuels such as ethanol. In a change from prior years, EPA will now determine RFS volumes based on a set of environmental and economic factors and guardrails in the statute. Biofuels such as ethanol cut greenhouse gas and tailpipe emissions and lower prices at the pump, benefitting the environment and consumers.   As senators stated in their letter: “Through this rulemaking, EPA has a historic opportunity to not only reinforce its efforts to restore integrity to the RFS, but chart a new course for biofuels that will help meet America’s diverse energy demands while...

Oct 17, 2022

Author: Gaylen Holloway

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) works every day to build a brighter future for farmers. To support the education of today’s youth as they grow into the ag leaders of tomorrow, NCGA invites eligible students to apply for the 2023 Scholarship Programs. NCGA is proud to support three scholarship programs for three distinct audiences:   Technical School/Community College Scholarship Program 5 - $1,000 scholarships for students pursuing a degree at a technical school or community college  NCGA William C. Berg Academic Excellence Scholarship Program NCGA and BASF Corporation will provide 5 - $1,500 scholarships for undergraduate students pursuing degrees in any field.  Graduate Student Scholarship Program 2 - $2,500 scholarship for a graduate student whose area of study will benefit the corn sector.   “Scholarships provide an opportunity to help further innovative, bright young minds that will energize the agricultural industry well into...

Oct 6, 2022

Key Issues: Sustainability

Author: Stacey Stiens

Field to Market has released the third edition of its annual report, Climate Action in U.S. Agriculture: A Compendium of Field to Market Member Climate Commitments, showcasing an increase in climate commitments across Field to Market’s diverse membership sectors. The compendium highlights the commitments of each of Field to Market’s membership sectors: affiliate, agribusiness, brand & retail, civil society and grower. By creating a clearinghouse of self-set sustainability and climate targets, companies and organizations are provided a one-stop shop where they can effectively benchmark goals, drive performance, facilitate collaboration, foster research and promote accountability.   KEY FINDINGS FROM THE REPORT 73% (117) of Field to Market’s 161 members have public commitments on climate action, growing from 68% in 2021. 22% (17) of Field to Market’s 29 corporate members have set science-based targets for emissions reductions. 45% (5) of the 11 commodity crops engaged in the...

Oct 5, 2022

Author: Julie Busse

This week, National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) President and Minnesota farmer Tom Haag held a news conference with the media to outline his goals for his year as president.   Haag told reporters, “This year is already shaping up to be a big one for America’s corn farmers. There’s the next farm bill, the Next Generation Fuels Act, and that’s barely scratching the surface.”   Haag acknowledged that there’s a lot of work to tackle in the year ahead. “I am focused on going all in for corn farmers and I can’t do it alone. It will take all of us to ensure our voice is heard in Washington D.C., while also increasing demand for our product. It’s hard to know what other issues could come our way, but I am ready to tackle them together.”   Haag answered questions from the media, which focused on the farm bill, ethanol, the Mexican ban on GM corn, and crop progress on his farm.   You can learn more about Tom by reading his bio here or watching this brief introduction video Read More

Oct 4, 2022

Author: Kris Martinez

October 14, 2022 Deadline for What’s New, Mini What’s New Proposals   Sign up now to exhibit at America’s largest farmer-led agricultural and educational experience while space is available. There is still time for exhibitors to submit a proposal by October 14 to sponsor “What’s New” and “Mini What’s New” educational sessions.    Commodity Classic is excited to bring the agriculture industry together again in-person March 9-11, 2023, in Orlando for the annual showcase of ag technology, crop production science, marketing intelligence, and farm innovation.   “Commodity Classic is recognized as the premier trade show to connect with top producers, farmer leaders, and key ag media,” said George Goblish, a Minnesota farmer, ASA member, and co-chair of the 2023 Commodity Classic. “We’re happy that the 2023 location at the Orange County Convention Center West Concourse offers more space for exhibitors, especially ag companies who might be new to the market,”    Additionally,...