In The News

Nov 30, 2022

Key Issues: Transportation and Infrastructure

Author: Bryan Goodman

The U.S. House of Representatives voted today to block a national rail strike that would have dire consequences for the nation’s economy. The vote comes as the country continues to struggle with supply-side issues and problems with key transportation hubs, including low-water levels along the Mississippi River.   The National Corn Growers Association said the vote was a welcome development.   “Rail is crucially important to America’s corn growers, who rely on it to ship grains and fertilizer,” said NCGA President Tom Haag. “We are pleased to see that Congress is taking the necessary action to ensure that rail service continues to operate.”   A deal to avert a strike appeared imminent in recent months, but a disagreement over paid sick days put the country back on the pathway to a strike, which could have begun as early as Dec. 9. Left with no other options, Pres. Biden urged Congress to act. The House passed a separate bill that would give rail workers seven sick days. Both...

Nov 29, 2022

Key Issues: Ethanol

Author: Bryan Goodman

Sens. Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), and 13 bipartisan Senate cosponsors, introduced the Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act today, which would ensure permanent, full-market access to E15, often marketed as Unleaded 88. The National Corn Growers Association applauded the new legislation, which has drawn support from a wide range of agriculture, fuel and retail stakeholders as a new opportunity to address a persistent issue.   “Ethanol saves Americans millions of dollars a year at the pump and is a critical part of our nation’s energy security,” said NCGA President Tom Haag. “We thank Sens. Fischer and Klobuchar and their cosponsors for introducing legislation today that will ensure drivers across the country continue to have year-round access to safe, low-cost, low-emission E15 and provides a commonsense resolution to a long-standing outdated barrier to consumer choice.”   Despite EPA approving E15 for use in all 2001 and newer vehicles and a 2019 update to...

Nov 29, 2022

Key Issues: Ethanol

Author: Julie Busse

Dover Fueling Solutions becomes the first manufacturer to offer optional UL-certified E40 fuel dispensers as standard   Today, Dover Fueling Solutions (DFS), part of Dover Corporation and a leading global provider of advanced customer-focused technologies, services and solutions in the fuel and convenience retail industry, announced all North American Wayne Ovation Fuel Dispensers will be supplied as compatible and UL-listed to E40/B20 as a standard feature. The announcement extends DFS’ UL compliance from E25 to E40, with the continued option of up to E85 available across all models and configurations, and cements DFS as the first manufacturer of fuel dispensers to offer an E40 UL listing.   “In response to consumer demands for greater fuel efficiency and a desire to lower greenhouse gasses, DFS and Wayne’s Ovation Fuel Dispensers are proud to provide E40 UL listings,” said Scott Negley, Senior Director, Product Management at Dover Fueling Solutions. “This reflects DFS’...

Nov 28, 2022

Key Issues: Trade

Author: Bryan Goodman

U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack met with Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador today to discuss a looming decree proposed by the Mexican president that would ban imports of biotech corn into the country. The talks come on the heels of an aggressive campaign by the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) encouraging the Biden administration to intervene in the dispute.   “We are very appreciative of Secretary Vilsack for taking the lead on this issue that is so important to American corn growers,” said NCGA CEO Jon Doggett. “Today’s meeting shows that the Biden administration is listening to NCGA and American corn grower leaders and that Secretary Vilsack is willing to go to the mat for America’s farmers. This is an extremely important development.”   A statement released tonight by USDA showed how strongly Secretary Vilsack feels about this issue.   “We must find a way forward soon and I emphasized in no uncertain terms that – absent an acceptable...

Nov 28, 2022

Author: Cathryn Wojcicki

As farmers across the country wrap up harvest, the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) reminds them of one important step for many – submitting yield results for contest entries in the 2022 National Corn Yield Contest. Only days remain to complete this important task.   All harvest results must be submitted by the deadline of November 30 to be included in the 2022 rankings.   The contest winners will be announced on December 14.   Enter your harvest results online, click here.   Contact NCYC at 636-733-5512 or email ncyc@ncga.com with any questions.

Nov 16, 2022

Author: Dusty Weis

Like other moments of economic uncertainty, this too shall pass... but how soon, and how much damage will it do?   Inflationary costs—and rising interest rates—are hitting growers where it hurts worldwide.   Add to these worries the impact of the North American drought, transportation and logistics headaches, and other market uncertainties, and growers may feel like the high price of corn is the only good news they've heard in more than a year.   But what do you need to know to maintain your operation in this changing economic situation? What tools do we have to keep operating costs from spiraling out-of-control? And how much worse is it going to get before it gets better?   In this episode, we’re talking to Todd Van Hoose, President and CEO of the Farm Credit Council, for the answers.   Plus, we send our best to Jon Doggett, NCGA CEO and podcast host, as he nears his retirement date.     Direct Share Link: 

Nov 15, 2022

Author: Stacey Stiens

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) is pleased to announce Krista Swanson joined the organization as Lead Economist.  Swanson will serve as the economic analyst resource for NCGA and its state affiliates.  She will be responsible for developing analysis and research needs on a wide variety of economic and political issues which impact corn farmers.   Swanson comes to NCGA from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign where she served as a Research Specialist for the Gardner Agricultural Policy Program. Her responsibilities there included researching data on economic and policy topics, designing models for projecting future farm income under specific policy scenarios, and writing articles and budgets for the farmdoc website.   “As NCGA moves forward with defining economic sustainability for corn growers, Krista’s background in economic analysis—with specific emphasis in corn--will assist us with initial goal-setting, benchmarking and measurement,” said NCGA...

Nov 14, 2022

Author: Julie Busse

The National Corn Growers Association Board of Directors has hired Hedlin Ag Enterprises of Ankeny, Iowa to assist with the search for a new CEO. The initial part of the search involves identifying and vetting potential candidates for the position which will occur through the end of this year and into the beginning of 2023. Candidate interviews for the CEO position will be held in February with the intention of introducing the new CEO during Commodity Classic in March.   “We have been very thoughtful and put a lot of time and effort into this process,” said NCGA President Tom Haag. “We started with a task force who developed the qualities and characteristics we want in our next CEO and now a search committee will work with Hedlin Ag Enterprises on finding the next leader of our organization to help us meet the many challenges we face.”   The board will entertain both internal and external candidates. Anyone interested in applying for the CEO position with NCGA can email their...

Nov 9, 2022

Author: Kris Martinez

Special Pricing Also Available on Tickets to Orlando Theme Parks   Attendees at the 2023 Commodity Classic in Orlando can make their experience even more memorable by signing up for one or more of the fascinating, family-friendly tours available during the event. These optional tours provide the opportunity to discover more about the history, attractions, and culture of the Orlando area — and this year’s tour schedule is packed with local delights:   Learn how NASA supports agriculture from space to seeds on the NASA Agricultural Tour A Day at the Beach offers sandy beaches, fresh seafood, and the unique shops of New Smyrna Beach Enjoy an oyster tasting and the craft of oyster farming on the Indian River Oyster Company Paddle Tour  Your journey awaits at the Kennedy Space Center Tour, Florida’s gateway to space Look for manatees, cypress forests, and alligators on the Blue Spring State Park St. Johns River Cruise A tour to Beck Citrus Farm and Southern Hill Farm...

Nov 8, 2022

Key Issues: Research

Author: Stacey Stiens

Today is National STEM Day!  The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) believes that agriculture is a vital partner in engaging students in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) concepts which directly—and indirectly—impact their lives. Not only does teaching an ag-based curriculum in the science classroom spark students to solve real-world science issues, but it also familiarizes them with ag-related careers, many of which go unfilled.   NCGA is committed to growing a more sustainable future—which includes carving a legacy for future generations. Today’s students will be tomorrow’s decision-makers and stewards of the land.  NCGA’s Sustainable Ag Research Action Team (SARAT) recently led the charge in impacting change by partnering with DonorsChoose—a teacher-founded nonprofit which helps bridge the gap and create equity for underfunded schools.  Through matched funds with donors, NCGA’s 2022 project supported 122 STEM-based projects at 107 different schools...

Nov 4, 2022

Key Issues: TradeBiotechnology

Author: Bryan Goodman

Following repeated calls from the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) asking the Biden administration to respond to plans by Mexico to block imports of biotech corn, United States Trade Representative (USTR) Katherine Tai met virtually on Thursday with Mexico’s Secretary of Economy, Raquel Buenrostro. During the meeting, Tai talked about the importance of avoiding a disruption in U.S. corn exports.   “We applaud Ambassador Tai for listening to corn grower leaders and sharing our concerns with the leadership in Mexico,” said NCGA President Tom Haag. “But, given the magnitude of Mexico’s threats and the fact that the embargo is set to be fully implemented by 2024, we need USTR to resolve the impasse as soon as possible by filing a dispute under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).”   The dispute centers around Mexico's President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s decree that would end imports of corn grown using biotech and certain herbicides by 2024. Biotech corn makes up...