In The News

Mar 30, 2023

Key Issues: New Uses

Author: Sarah McKay

At the Advanced Bioeconomy Leadership Conference (ABLC) in Washington D.C., the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) once again sponsored and facilitated the Corn-to-Chemicals Summit, outlining the uses of corn as an industrial feedstock.   The panel was moderated by Sarah McKay, NCGA Market Development Director, and participants included Nick Lepore, Morning Consult Senior Research Manager, and Denny Vennekotter, Vice Chair of Market Development Action Team (MDAT) and Ohio corn grower. The panel highlighted the survey results from the MDAT commissioned study on public perception of industrial biotechnology and support for a national incentive for biobased products. Vennekotter also shared his perspective on the value and sustainability of corn as an industrial feedstock and how utilizing corn addresses key areas of importance for the public as it relates to industrial biotechnology. Further, the panel had a robust Q&A session with the audience on programs and policies,...

Mar 30, 2023

Key Issues: EthanolHigh-Octane Low-Carbon

Author: Bryan Goodman

The Next Generation Fuels Act was reintroduced in the U.S. House of Representatives today. The National Corn Growers Association applauded the development, saying the legislation would help address the country’s most pressing energy issues through a transition to cleaner fuels and vehicles.   Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-Iowa) led the bipartisan reintroduction of the bill along with Reps. Angie Craig (D-Minn.), Darin LaHood (R-Ill.) and Nikki Budzinski (D-Ill.)      “We’re very grateful to Rep. Miller-Meeks, along with Reps. Craig, LaHood and Budzinski for taking the lead on this priority legislation for corn growers,” said NCGA President Tom Haag. “Advancing the Next Generation Fuels Act is timely for Congress’ work on energy and environmental issues, offering solutions that lower fuel costs, reduce emissions and help shore up America’s energy security for the long run.”   The Next Generation Fuels Act would clean up the nation’s fuel supply and transition new vehicles to...

Mar 29, 2023

Key Issues: Animal Agriculture

Author: Michael Granché

Last week, the U.S.A. Poultry Egg Export Council (USAPEEC) held their annual Strategic Planning Conference in Tokyo, Japan. Bringing together USAPEEC’s global staff and industry representatives from across the sector, the conference enables participants to analyze opportunities for expansion and barriers to market access, and then formulate strategy to increase and create additional demand for American poultry and egg products. Representing National Corn Grower Association’s Market Development Action Team was Michigan Corn Growers Association Vice President John Delmotte and NCGA Market Development Manager Michael Granché. On Thursday, Delmotte and Granché provided a presentation that highlighted the value of partnerships, highlighted goals and progress outlined within NCGA’s Sustainability Report, and illustrated how USAPEEC and NCGA have worked together through projects their Chicken, Egg, and Turkey Buyer’s Guides.   “Most farmers think that our corn is exported as grain to...

Mar 28, 2023

Author: Dusty Weis

Instability at some high-profile financial institutions is on growers' minds. Should we be worried?   The Silicon Valley Bank collapse, and the sudden perception that there’s instability in the banking system, has a lot of us thinking back to 2008 and the financial crisis that spurred the Great Recession.   And, whether it’s the war in Ukraine, lingering supply-side issues from COVID-19, or high-interest rates, we are all feeling the effects of the world economy a little more acutely this year.   So are we staring down another financial crisis, or just feeling a little economic speed bump?   For some perspectives on those questions, and what it means for corn growers, we’re joined in this episode by Krista Swanson, the National Corn Growers Association’s lead economist.   She provides some much-needed context, and an informed take on what the farm economy might have in store for us over the next few years.     Direct Share Link: 

Mar 22, 2023

Key Issues: EthanolHigh-Octane Low-Carbon

Author: Bryan Goodman

The Next Generation Fuels Act was reintroduced in the U.S. Senate today, drawing praise from the National Corn Growers Association. The legislation, which has been one of NCGA’s top advocacy priorities, would lower fuel prices, reduce carbon emissions and help shore up America’s energy security.   Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) led the bipartisan Senate reintroduction along with Sens. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.).   “We’re very grateful to Sen. Grassley, along with Sens. Klobuchar, Ernst and Duckworth, for taking the lead on this priority legislation for corn growers,” said NCGA President Tom Haag. “The Next Generation Fuels Act addresses some of the country’s most pressing concerns by providing consumers with more options in the transition to cleaner fuels and vehicles and supporting our long-term energy security.” The Next Generation Fuels Act would clean up our nation’s fuel supply and transition new vehicles to use cleaner, more...

Mar 21, 2023

Key Issues: EthanolHigh-Octane Low-Carbon

Author: Bryan Goodman

The president of the National Corn Growers Association urged EPA officials today to implement a petition from Midwest governors that would remove barriers to higher blends of ethanol and avoid further delay.   EPA’s public hearing reviewed the agency’s recent proposal to implement a plan from eight Midwest governors to require lower-volatility gasoline so drivers in those states continue to have year-round access to fuel with 15 percent ethanol, often marketed as Unleaded 88. EPA has proposed delaying implementation of the governors’ plan until 2024.   Haag took issue with the delays to date and urged EPA to avoid further delays in implementation. He also highlighted the emissions reduction benefits of E15 and the current cost savings of up to 20 cents or more per gallon when drivers choose E15.   “We are disappointed with EPA’s delayed response to states,” Minnesota farmer and NCGA President Tom Haag told EPA officials during the public hearing. “Governors submitted their...

Mar 21, 2023

Author: Kris Martinez

Over 10,400 attendees – farmers as well as exhibitors, industry stakeholders and members of the media – gathered for the 2023 Commodity Classic March 9-11 in Orlando.   The 2023 event broke the previous Commodity Classic record of 9,770 attendees, which was held in New Orleans in 2016.   “The excitement in Orlando was energizing,” said George Goblish, a Minnesota farmer, ASA member, and co-chair of the 2023 Commodity Classic. “We knew going into the event that registration was up 30% over last year, but to have a record-breaking show just blew us away.”   Kenny Hartman, an Illinois farmer, NCGA member, and fellow 2023 co-chair, said, “There’s nothing like connecting in person, and it just felt like everyone was so excited to come together again to see the best agriculture has to offer. I can’t wait to see everyone again at the 2024 Commodity Classic in Houston.”   This year’s event featured more than 30 educational sessions, a sold-out trade show with over 400 exhibitors, a...

Mar 16, 2023

Key Issues: Sustainability

Author: Cathryn Wojcicki

The National Corn Growers Association looks forward to seeing the next steps that will be taken as a part of the Farmers for Soil Health. NCGA is a founding member of FSH, which was awarded the $95 million grant from the USDA’s Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities program that makes this work possible.   “This grant provides technical and financial resources to mitigate the risk farmers increasingly face due to severe climate events,” said NCGA President Tom Haag, a farmer from Eden Valley, Minn. “It is exciting to see that this effort to promote cover crops will reach acreage producing over 85 percent of the nation’s corn and soybeans.”   The program, which will help double acreage nationally by 2030, will offer farmers three years of declining cost share payments to help them transition to cover crops. FSH will work with data insights and publishing company DTN to develop a digital platform that will use satellite imagery, allowing farmers to receive an “eco-score” for...

Mar 15, 2023

Key Issues: Farm Bill

Author: Bryan Goodman

The National Corn Growers Association joined a letter, signed by 400 national, regional, and state agriculture associations this week, which was sent to the Senate and House Budget Committees regarding budgetary resources needed to craft a comprehensive farm bill this year. Over 20 corn state grower affiliate associations also signed the letter with NCGA.   “We write to express our strong support for providing the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry and House Committee on Agriculture with sufficient budgetary resources to write a new bipartisan, multi-year, comprehensive, and meaningful piece of legislation,” the letter read. The letter noted that farm bill budget resources are needed for “protecting and enhancing crop insurance to assist with volatile weather and crop loss, improving access to voluntary conservation incentives, addressing rural development needs, investing in research for innovation and competitiveness, providing opportunities to help the...

Mar 14, 2023

Key Issues: Ethanol

Author: Bryan Goodman

The National Corn Growers Association today applauded members of the House and Senate for reintroducing legislation that would provide a permanent, nationwide solution to ensure uninterrupted market access for low-cost, low-emission E15, often marketed as Unleaded 88.   Led by Sens. Deb Fischer (Neb.) and Amy Klobuchar (Minn.) and Reps. Angie Craig (Minn.), Adrian Smith (Neb.) and Dusty Johnson (S.D.), 35 bipartisan Senate and House members introduced the Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act, which has again drawn support from a wide range of agriculture, fuel and retail stakeholders.   “The choice of cleaner and less expensive E15 at the pump saves drivers millions of dollars a year and increases the fuel supply to improve our energy security,” said Tom Haag, National Corn Growers Association President. “We thank these bipartisan members of Congress for once again leading on this needed solution to resolve an outdated barrier to consumer choice. There’s no reason for market...

Mar 9, 2023

Key Issues: Trade

Author: Bryan Goodman

The National Corn Growers Association, along with a broad coalition of national and state agriculture and bioscience organizations, sent a letter to President Biden this week to thank the administration for beginning technical consultations with Mexico concerning its action to ban imports of biotech corn. The letter calls for those consultations to start without delay.   “We support your administration’s request for consultations with Mexico regarding its treatment of agricultural biotechnology and denying the use of certain crop protection tools, to provide a framework and timeline to resolve this issue,” the 62 groups wrote. “We look forward to these consultations beginning promptly.”   Technical consultations bring leaders from the involved countries, which now includes Canada as well, into formal discussions to resolve the dispute. If the talks are not successful, the U.S. can initiate a dispute settlement under USMCA.     The organizations expressed appreciation for the...

Mar 6, 2023

Key Issues: Trade

Author: Bryan Goodman

The U.S. Trade Representative today initiated a technical consultation with Mexico, a move that puts the U.S. one step away from filing a full dispute settlement under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement over the aggressive steps Mexico has taken to ban biotech corn. Mexico is a top market for corn, the number one agricultural export from the U.S.   The National Corn Growers Association, which along with affiliated state associations, has been leading calls for the Biden administration to act, applauded the development and urged USTR to expedite the process. “We are pleased USTR is taking the next step to hold Mexican officials accountable for the commitments they made under USMCA, which include accepting both biotech and non-biotech commodities,” said NCGA President Tom Haag. “Mexico’s position on biotech corn is already creating uncertainty, so we need U.S officials to move swiftly and do everything it takes to eliminate this trade barrier in the very near future.” A technical...

Mar 2, 2023

Author: Bryan Goodman

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack will be the keynote speaker during the General Session at the 2023 Commodity Classic held March 8-11 in Orlando, Florida. The General Session is scheduled for Friday, March 10, at 8:30 a.m. at the Orange County Convention Center – West Concourse.   During his remarks, Secretary Vilsack will highlight USDA’s efforts to create more, new and better markets;  increase competition, lower costs, and add value; and create new revenue streams for producers and their communities.   The General Session will also include a panel discussion with leaders of the five associations that present Commodity Classic: American Soybean Association, National Corn Growers Association, National Association of Wheat Growers, National Sorghum Producers, and the Association of Equipment Manufacturers.   Secretary Vilsack was confirmed in February 2021 to serve as the 32nd U.S. Secretary of Agriculture. He returned to the role he previously filled for eight...

Mar 1, 2023

Key Issues: Ethanol

Author: Bryan Goodman

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today proposed to implement a plan from eight Midwest governors to require lower-volatility gasoline in their states aimed at ensuring drivers in those states continue to have year-round access to fuel with 15 percent ethanol. However, EPA proposed to delay implementation until 2024.   The National Corn Growers Association supported the governors’ plan and expressed serious concern over the one-year delay in implementation and the market uncertainty the delay creates for E15 in 2023.   “These governors took the initiative and used authority under the law to ensure their consumers could maintain access to low-cost, low-emissions E15,” said National Corn Growers Association President Tom Haag.  “These governors did the right thing, but EPA’s proposal delays this solution. Higher ethanol blends lower emissions, save drivers money and allow for consumer choice. With the proposed delay in implementation, we now urge EPA to use existing...