In The News

Jan 31, 2023

Key Issues: Trade

Author: Bryan Goodman

During a congressional briefing today, corn growers told members of Congress and their staff that U.S. officials should continue to hold the line with Mexico over a proposed ban that would block most U.S. corn imports into that country. During the discussion, growers emphasized that the ban would land a significant blow to the American economy.   The statements included praise from corn growers for the Biden administration’s most recent action, which took a tough position with Mexico over the proposed ban. Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador announced in late 2020 that he would implement a decree banning biotech corn into the country beginning in early 2024. The vast majority of U.S. corn is biotech. The briefing, hosted by the National Corn Growers Association, was held on the one-year mark from the decree’s effective date. “This decree would cut most American corn growers off from what has historically been our largest export market,” NCGA President Tom Haag noted...

Jan 31, 2023

Author: Kris Martinez

Networking with Top Farmers Key Benefit of Attending 2023 Commodity Classic   Farmers across the country are getting excited for the 2023 Commodity Classic, which has just announced registration is up 28% over last year’s event in New Orleans.   The 2023 Commodity Classic will be held March 9-11 in Orlando. Attendees can register for all three days of the event; single-day passes are also available.   Attendee surveys indicate that networking with other farmers is one of the top reasons producers enjoy Commodity Classic. Hallway conversations and in-person connections are an important part of the educational experience at Commodity Classic as farmers share their knowledge, passion, and insight with colleagues from across the nation.   “We saw near-record attendance the last time the event was held in Orlando in 2019, and our registrations this year are already up 28% over last year,” said George Goblish, a Minnesota farmer, ASA member, and co-chair of the 2023 Commodity...

Jan 30, 2023

Key Issues: Farm Policy

Author: Bryan Goodman

The National Corn Growers Association joined over 60 groups in sending letters to key decision makers in the Biden administration and Congress opposing cuts to the federal crop insurance program during the upcoming fiscal year 2024 budget and appropriations processes.   “The last several years have brought an onslaught of uncertainty for America’s farmers and ranchers – from weather extremes to the disruptions of international markets to COVID-19 and all of its unique challenges,” the letter explains. “During this tumultuous time, one of the few certainties that farmers could rely on was the protection provided by the federal crop insurance policy purchased with their hard-earned dollars.”   Protecting crop insurance continues to be a top issue for NCGA and our grower members. NCGA President Tom Haag has provided congressional testimony on the importance of the program.   “Our number one priority for the farm bill is to protect crop insurance from harmful budget cuts and...

Jan 27, 2023

Author: Stacey Stiens

Amanda Johnson of Nebraska is the grand prize winner of NCGA’s 2022 Fields-of-Corn photo contest. The photo – “All the Fall Colors”– was submitted under the Scenery and Landscapes category.   The most popular entry came from the Farm Family Lifestyle category, by Kari DeMoss of Iowa with the photo, “The Future of the Farm.”   Other popular categories included Corn, Growing Field Corn, Farming Challenges, Equipment and Conservation, and a new category, Farm Babies.   “There are a lot of very talented photographers who enter the contest, and each year we get a wide variety of photographs,” said NCGA Graphic Communications Manager Beth Musgrove.   “After nine years, there should be some exciting changes for the tenth contest in 2023.”   In total, 26 prizes were awarded across the eight categories. Winners are determined through a combination of Facebook likes and consideration of a panel of judges. Images submitted to the contest are valuable assets for NCGA in publications,...

Jan 26, 2023

Author: Cathryn Wojcicki

While NCGA proudly offers scholarships for tomorrow’s ag leaders, time is running out. Act now, or you may miss out on this opportunity.   At the national level, NCGA is proud to have 3 scholarship programs for 3 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.    To apply, students or a parent/guardians must be a member of the NCGA. Past scholarship winners and employees and the families of employees of any division of BASF or their subsidiaries or the NCGA are not eligible for the scholarship. The...

Jan 25, 2023

Author: Kris Martinez

The nation’s leading agriculture experts and well-known personalities will be featured on the Main Stage during the 2023 Commodity Classic held March 9-11 in Orlando.   The Main Stage, presented by Successful Farming® and Commodity Classic, is located right on the trade show floor. Presentations are scheduled during trade show hours, and highlights of the Main Stage line-up for 2023 include:   Strategies for Success: Where’s the Market Going? with Farm Credit and Kluis Commodity Advisors Cashing In On Carbon with Garth Boyd of Context Network, sponsored by Truterra How to Make the Most Success with XtremeAg, sponsored by FMC Corporation Bring Soil Health to Life, sponsored by Ducks Unlimited Generation Next: A Retiring Couple’s Journey to Find a Successor to the Family Farm, presented by Syngenta   “The Main Stage is where growers can find valuable information they need to improve their farming operation,” said 2023 co-chair Kenny Hartman, an Illinois farmer and NCGA...

Jan 23, 2023

Key Issues: Trade

Author: Bryan Goodman

The National Corn Growers Association praised the Biden administration today for issuing an official rejection of a recent proposed compromise from Mexico on biotech corn imports into the country.   The development came during a meeting between Mexican officials and U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Secretary of Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Alexis Taylor and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative’s chief ag negotiator Doug McKalip.   In a statement that came after the meeting, USTR and USDA said the changes offered by Mexico “are not sufficient and Mexico’s proposed approach, which is not grounded in science, still threatens to disrupt billions of dollars in bilateral agricultural trade, cause serious economic harm to U.S. farmers and Mexican livestock producers, and stifle important innovations needed to help producers respond to pressing climate and food security challenges.”   The statement also said that the U.S. officials made it clear to their Mexican...

Jan 19, 2023

Author: Bryan Goodman

The National Corn Growers Association is pleased to announce that Sadie Lackey has joined the organization as the manager of grassroots advocacy and leadership development. In this role, she will foster grower activism, execute grassroots advocacy campaigns and oversee NCGA’s slate of leadership development programs. She will also work closely with staff focused on public policy, policy communications and CornPAC.   Lackey has served several members of Congress in recent years, most recently as a legislative aide to Rep. Jerry Carl (R- Ala.) and as a press assistant to Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) Prior to her time on the Hill, Sadie worked at the U.S. Department of Agriculture in the Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement.   “Sadie is a welcome and valuable addition to NCGA’s public policy staff,” said Brooke S. Appleton, NCGA’s vice president of public policy. “Her impressive experience on Capitol Hill has positioned her well to serve in her new role as a key advocate for...

Jan 17, 2023

Author: Kris Martinez

Limited Spaces Remain for Orlando Event   Exhibit space at the 2023 Commodity Classic in Orlando is rapidly reaching sell-out status with nearly 400 companies and over 2,600 booth spaces already committed. A limited number of prime visibility booths are expected to sell quickly.   The 2023 Commodity Classic will be held March 9-11 at the Orange County Convention Center West Concourse in Orlando, Florida.   Exhibitors at Commodity Classic will have direct interaction with thousands of top producers, first-time attendees, and key ag media representatives. Commodity Classic attracts top farmers from across the nation who are the early adopters, thought leaders, and innovators in agriculture. Attendee data from the most recent Commodity Classic in New Orleans indicated that the average farmer at Commodity Classic farmed 3,483 acres and represented $3.5 million in total gross farm income.   Commodity Classic provides farmers with a unique combination of outstanding education,...

Jan 11, 2023

Key Issues: Trade

Author: Bryan Goodman

As President Biden wraps up meetings with his counterparts in Mexico and Canada, NCGA is praising a key administration official for taking a tough stand on the trade impasse and encouraging quick action to resolve the issue.   Secretary Tom Vilsack indicated on Monday that there would be no compromise on Mexico’s proposal to ban biotech corn. The secretary’s statement came as Biden met with Mexico’s President Andrés Manuel López Obrador.   The National Corn Growers Association weighed in on the developments.   “We appreciate Secretary Vilsack for taking a firm stand on this issue,” said NCGA President Tom Haag. “We would encourage the Biden administration to keep this issue front and center and push for a quick resolution, as farmers have already made their purchasing decisions for the 2023 crop year. We also continue to urge the Biden administration to file a dispute under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement.” Talks between the two countries started in the fall of last year, as...

Jan 11, 2023

Author: Kris Martinez

Only a few days remain to take advantage of early registration discounts for the 2023 Commodity Classic to be held March 9-11 in Orlando.   Friday, January 20, 2023, is the last day the early registration discount will be in effect.    “Going to Commodity Classic is an investment in any grower’s operation,” said George Goblish, a Minnesota farmer, ASA member, and co-chair of the 2023 Commodity Classic. “The registration fees are a very small cost for everything you get: top-notch educational sessions, the latest farming technology, and the opportunity to network with thousands of farmers from all over the country. And signing up by January 20 allows growers to take advantage of the best prices.”   Registration fees vary depending on the number of days attended. Full registration covers all three days of the event, and one-day registrations are also available. Members of the National Corn Growers Association, American Soybean Association, National Sorghum Producers, National...

Jan 10, 2023

Key Issues: Ethanol

Author: Bryan Goodman

In the face of high fuel prices and global uncertainties, expanding access to renewable fuels may be even more relevant today than it was almost two decades ago when the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) was enacted, the president of the National Corn Growers Association told the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today. His comments came during an EPA public hearing on the proposed RFS volume rule for 2023-2025. “We support the growth trajectory in EPA’s proposal; however, with continued pressure on energy security and costs and the need to accelerate carbon emission reductions, biofuels can contribute even more,” said NCGA President Tom Haag. “We ask EPA to continue working with us on complementary policies that advance higher ethanol blends, enabling ethanol to do more to cut both emissions and costs.”   Haag said corn growers also urge EPA to simply adopt the U.S. Department of Energy’s Argonne National Lab GREET model for lifecycle GHG assessment to most accurately account...

Jan 3, 2023

Author: Bryan Goodman

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Army Corps of Engineers released a final rule on December 30 that determines what constitutes Waters of the United States, or WOTUS, under the Clean Water Act.   The rule was released as the U.S. Supreme Court prepares to decide a case, Sackett vs. EPA, which will provide more clarity on the issue.     “We are disappointed that EPA moved ahead with its final rule when the Supreme Court will soon render a decision on this matter,” said National Corn Growers Association President Tom Haag. “The Court’s ruling could negate major elements of this WOTUS rule and will create even more uncertainty for farmers.” This year, NCGA submitted comments to EPA and encouraged corn growers to do the same as the rule was being considered. The group also participated in regional hearings held by EPA.   NCGA has made it clear that farmers are committed to the objectives of the Clean Water Act and the protection of water quality around agricultural...