In The News

Jun 30, 2023

Key Issues: Research

Author: Cathryn Wojcicki

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) encourages qualified graduate students to apply for the Research Ambassador program. If you are interested in building a personal network of future agricultural leaders as you begin your career, you will want to apply today.   To ensure all interested applicants have a chance at this incredible opportunity, NCGA has extended the deadline for applications to its NCGA Research Ambassador Program to July 15.   Graduate students who are citizens or permanent residents of the United States and are involved in research broadly related to corn production are eligible to apply. Selected students receive a $2,500 award, up to $750 to offset travel and registration costs for scientific conferences, and fully-funded travel to participate in NCGA events throughout the year.   For more information, visit NCGA Research Ambassador Program.   Interested applicants may contact Robyn Allscheid at allscheid@ncga.com

Jun 28, 2023

Key Issues: Trade

Author: Bryan Goodman

John Linder, an Ohio corn grower and former president of the National Corn Growers Association, was elected today to serve as president of MAIZALL, an international farmer’s organization that focuses on eliminating regulatory obstacles to innovation in agriculture. The group contains members from the U.S., Brazil and Argentina. His one-year term begins on Monday, July 3. NCGA’s leadership expressed enthusiasm over the news. “John is a dedicated leader, and he will no doubt do an outstanding job leading MAIZALL,” said NCGA President Tom Haag. “We are very proud to see a fellow corn grower take the lead at a group that does so much to advance the agenda of farmers in the international arena.” MAIZALL engages private sector stakeholders, national government officials and leaders from international organizations, such as the World Trade Organization and the Food and Agriculture Organization, to work towards alignment on regulatory barriers to trade.   Linder, who served as...

Jun 27, 2023

Author: Hannah Roebke

On June 22 and 23, the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) welcomed growers and staff to this year’s Women and Mentors retreat. The program focused on building a network of rising leaders, bringing women and mentors together to overcome workplace obstacles, and share their leadership journey to empower each other.    The third annual conference kicked off with a session on Quieting Your Inner Critic, with Randi Braun, which encouraged participants to put aside negative thoughts and experiences to lead with power and purpose.  Over the two days, participants also heard from top women leaders at Bayer and Bunge and had an intensive workshop on constructive conflict. They closed out the conference with a presentation from Brooke Clay Taylor from the Rural Gone Urban Foundation on balancing obligations.   Attendees left encouraged to continue their networking experience in their newly formed cohort groups. These mentorship networks, formed during the conference, were designed...

Jun 26, 2023

Key Issues: Ethanol

Author: Bryan Goodman

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) today applauded the U.S. Department of Agriculture for agreeing to invest $500 million from the Inflation Reduction Act to increase the availability of domestic biofuels and to give consumers cleaner fuel options.   “We are appreciative of Secretary Vilsack and the Biden administration for continuing to recognize the many benefits of biofuels,” said NCGA President Tom Haag. “Continued access to ethanol lowers fuel prices for drivers and increases our domestic fuel supply while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.”   USDA also announced today that in July it will begin accepting applications for $450 million in grants through the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program, which was created to support the infrastructure needed to lower out-of-pocket costs for transportation fueling. The program also allows distribution facilities to install and upgrade biofuel-related infrastructure, such as pumps, dispensers and storage tanks,...

Jun 22, 2023

Key Issues: EthanolHigh-Octane Low-Carbon

Author: Bryan Goodman

Congress can ensure more consumer choice in fuels and vehicles by taking greater advantage of low-cost, low-emissions biofuels like ethanol, a leader of the National Corn Growers Association told members of Congress today.   “As producers of the sustainable, primary feedstock for low carbon ethanol, corn farmers stand behind agriculture’s contribution to low-cost, cleaner, domestic energy,” NCGA CEO Neil Caskey said during testimony before the Subcommittee on Environment, Manufacturing, and Critical Materials of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. “Their production improvements will help achieve biofuels with net-zero emissions and higher ethanol blends cost less.” In his testimony, Caskey discussed several bills that that would leverage the benefits of biofuels to ensure a level playing field in transportation, including:   The Fuels Parity Act, which ensures EPA uses the most accurate lifecycle emissions assessment for biofuels: the Department of Energy Argonne...

Jun 21, 2023

Key Issues: Ethanol

Author: Bryan Goodman

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today released final volume requirements under the Renewable Fuel Standard for 2023, 2024 and 2025, providing for annual growth in total renewable fuel volumes, although with lower conventional biofuel volumes than EPA had proposed.   For 2023, EPA set an implied 15.25-billion-gallon requirement for conventional ethanol, which includes a supplemental 250 million gallons a prior court decision required EPA to restore to the RFS. For 2024 and 2025, EPA holds the implied conventional volume level at 15 billion gallons, despite proposing 15.25 billion gallons for those two years.   “Today’s final RFS volumes came in below levels EPA proposed for conventional biofuels for 2024 and 2025, holding ethanol volumes steady at 15 billion gallons,” said NCGA President Tom Haag. “A multi-year RFS volume rule offers stability and certainty for renewable fuels. However, when it comes to addressing pressing energy, environmental and economic challenges,...

Jun 15, 2023

Author: Cathryn Wojcicki

The National Corn Growers Association’s Corn Board has elected Ken Hartman Jr. to become the organization's next first vice president for the new fiscal year, which begins October 1, 2023.    Hartman is a fifth-generation farmer who operates a grain farm along with his wife, Anita, daughter, Amanda, and mother, Joann in Waterloo, Illinois. Together, they have also raised specialty crops such as tofu soybeans and white corn, while also being early adopters of precision farming technologies. His daughter Alexis is a financial analyst for Waste Management in California and Ashley works for John Deere in Waterloo, Iowa.     “I’m honored to serve America’s corn farmers in a new way with NCGA,” said Hartman. “I look forward to working with my fellow officers as we tackle issues that are critically important to corn growers and rural America.”    Hartman currently chairs the NCGA Finance Committee. He also served as co-chair of the 2023 Commodity Classic committee.     Hartman was...

Jun 12, 2023

Author: Cathryn Wojcicki

Applications for the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) 2023/2024 Leadership Academy Class are live! The goal of this program is to bring together a diverse group of grower leaders who seek to improve their ability to serve their state organizations, enhance their communication skills, and understand the important role of advocacy—all to advance the priorities of our nation’s corn growers and build the next generation of industry leaders.   Through this program, NCGA’s members are empowered to pursue their leadership journey and utilize their skills to inspire action in others. Hear what participants have to say about this program’s success.   The 2023/2024 class will meet in St. Louis, MO from August 7-9, 2023, for a session on leadership, communication, and personal branding. The class will reconvene in Washington, DC from January 22-24, 2024, for advocacy training. NCGA is grateful to our sponsors, UPL and FMC, for their support of this program.      Interested in...

Jun 7, 2023

Key Issues: Trade

Author: Bryan Goodman

As the U.S. Trade Representative takes next steps on a dispute settlement request with Mexico over biotech corn, corn grower leaders across the country are reflecting on a months-long advocacy campaign that paid off for the nation’s farmers.   “We began sounding the alarms about the ban last fall, because we knew the decree would have a devastating impact on U.S. corn growers and rural communities,” said National Corn Growers Association President Tom Haag. “We were working with members of Congress, engaging the media and meeting with the Biden administration. Thanks to these efforts, we were able to make a strong case that the U.S. government needed to intervene in this matter.”   The concerns by U.S. farmers stem from a 2020 decree by Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador that sought to ban imports of biotech corn beginning in January 2024. Mexico issued a revised decree in February of this year that banned biotech corn for human consumption, effective immediately, and...

Jun 5, 2023

Author: Hannah Roebke

Are you dreaming of getting away this summer? Members of the National Corn Growers Association can save on travel by using exclusive discounts. Through partnerships with Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Bass Pro Shop/Cabela’s and the Worldwide Hotel Discount Program, NCGA offers members valuable savings that help them see the sights whether they travel across the country, around the world or on a staycation, NCGA can save you money!   “NCGA works hard to increase opportunities for farmers in the marketplace, but we also strive to offer a wide array of benefits to our members,” said NCGA Member and Consumer Engagement Chair Dan Nerud. “Summer vacations often build memories that last a lifetime, and we want to provide discounts that make these magical moments more affordable.”     The exclusive NCGA Worldwide Hotel Discount Program allows NCGA members, their friends and their families access to a worldwide inventory of hotels at exclusive discounted rates. Now, in addition to saving on...

Jun 2, 2023

Key Issues: Trade

Author: Bryan Goodman

The U.S. Trade Representative announced today that it is filing a dispute settlement under the U.S.- Mexico-Canada Agreement in response to the steps Mexico has taken to ban biotech corn for human consumption.   The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA), which along with affiliated state associations, has been leading calls for the Biden administration to act, praised the development.   “Mexico’s actions, which are not based on sound science, have threatened the financial wellbeing of corn growers and our nation’s rural communities,” said NCGA President Tom Haag. “We are deeply appreciative of Ambassador Katherine Tai and USTR for moving this process forward and thankful for the efforts of Secretary Tom Vilsack and members of Congress for standing up for farmers in such a meaningful way.”   Under USMCA, once a dispute settlement is filed, a group of objective experts will be empaneled to hear the case and make final determinations based on the commitments both parties signed...

Jun 1, 2023

Author: Stacey Stiens

Josh Cooper is the newest addition to the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) accounting department. Having just finished his junior year at University of Missouri – Columbia, Josh is studying accountancy and will receive both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in the spring of 2025. While at school, Josh became a member of Theta Chi fraternity where he had the opportunity to be involved with homecoming activities as well as sponsoring a miracle child through a charity called MizzouThon. In his spare time, Josh enjoys playing basketball and hanging out with friends.     “Accounting, HR and Administration Director Marie Nelson piqued my interest in working within the world of corn as it is an industry that I do not know much about,” said Cooper. “I am grateful for the opportunity to work with everyone at NCGA and learn more about the ag industry this summer.”   While interning with NCGA this summer, Josh will be focusing on accounts payable, accounts receivable, journal...

Jun 1, 2023

Key Issues: Ethanol

Author: Bryan Goodman

As the summer driving season picks up, consumers will benefit from uninterrupted access to higher ethanol blends at the pump thanks to recent action by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.   Consumers would have lost the choice of lower-cost, higher blends of ethanol, referred to as E15 and often marketed as Unleaded 88, beginning today; however, EPA is using its authority to maintain consumer access.   The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) has praised the development.   “Continued access to higher ethanol blends as summer demand for travel rises not only lowers fuel prices for drivers and increases our domestic fuel supply, but also reduces emissions,” said National Corn Growers Association President Tom Haag. “We appreciate EPA and Administrator Regan for taking this commonsense action. We also appreciate the strong support from USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack and bipartisan members of Congress.”   A comparison of pump prices from more than 550 retail...

Jun 1, 2023

Author: Cathryn Wojcicki

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) welcomed interns to both offices thanks to the support by the Nebraska Corn Board (NCB) and the Nebraska Corn Growers Association (NeCGA). These internships provide students with an overview of the corn industry through real-world professional experiences while developing the next generation of talent to move the industry forward.   Hannah Roebke is majoring in broadcasting, journalism and sports media and communication at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL). She will be interning with NCGA in St. Louis, focusing on communications and outreach.   Roebke says “I am excited for the opportunity to work in an industry that is close to my heart. I look forward to learning more about ag while getting to communicate the message of NCGA.”   Alexis Bodlak, who is majoring in nutrition-community health and wellness, policy analysis and pre-law at UNL will be spending her summer in Washington, D.C. working on policy with...