In The News

Dec 22, 2023

Key Issues: Trade

Author: Bryan Goodman

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced today that it will reopen the Eagle Pass and El Paso rail crossings into Mexico. The announcement pleased leaders at the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA), who cautioned the agency against making similar decisions in the future.   “This is certainly a welcome relief,” said NCGA President Harold Wolle. “We are very appreciative that CBP was responsive to our calls to have the border crossings re-opened, but we hope this experience serves as a cautionary tale moving forward. Rail is a key mode of transportation for our exports into Mexico, so closing rail crossings can have devastating ramifications for farmers and the economy.”   The two rail crossings along the Texas border towns were closed on December 18 by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection as part of an effort to prevent migrants from entering the country illegally. Twenty-five percent of U.S. corn exports into Mexico go through El Paso and Eagle Pass.   On...

Dec 21, 2023

Key Issues: Trade

Author: Bryan Goodman

The National Corn Growers Association is increasing pressure on U.S. officials to reopen the recently closed Eagle Pass and El Paso rail crossings into Mexico. “These closures will have an immediate and prolonged impact on corn exports to Mexico, one of our closest and largest trading partners, during a period of high demand,” NCGA President Harold Wolle said today. “We urge our federal officials to resolve this issue quickly so the flow of goods between the two countries can resume as soon as possible and minimize the damage that has already been done by these abrupt closures.”   The two rail crossings along the Texas border towns were closed on December 18 by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection as part of an effort to prevent migrants from entering the country illegally. Twenty-five percent of U.S. corn exports into Mexico go through El Paso and Eagle Pass. On Thursday, the National Corn Growers Association joined other national ag groups in sending a letter to Homeland...

Dec 20, 2023

Key Issues: Sustainability

Author: Stacey Stiens

  The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) applauds the sustained reductions in nutrient losses reaching the Gulf of Mexico and the resulting reductions in the average size of the hypoxic zone, as recently documented in the 2023 Report to Congress by the Hypoxia Task Force (HTF). NCGA commends growers for the practical conservation steps and measures they have voluntarily adopted on their farms to reduce nutrient losses and protect water quality.   "In the journey of water quality stewardship, we are encouraged by the strides made by growers,” said Minnesota grower and NCGA Stewardship Action Team Chair Bryan Biegler. “The commitment to sustainable practices is clear, and despite challenging weather patterns impacting growers, we see definite progress taking form over the course of a five-year rolling average. It's a demonstration to the resilience and dedication of the agricultural community in achieving our shared vision for a healthier, more sustainable...

Dec 20, 2023

Key Issues: Ethanol

Author: Bryan Goodman

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) today praised a recent decision by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that advances the request of several Midwestern governors to allow their states to sell fuel with 15% ethanol blends year-round. EPA's decision now puts eight Midwestern states on the road toward allowing for year-round access to E15. “Allowing consumers to access higher blends of ethanol year-round will play a critical role in helping the country meet the Biden administration’s ambitious climate goals,” said Minnesota farmer and NCGA President Harold Wolle. “We are very appreciative of the EPA for making this science-based and forward-looking decision.” Because of outdated federal regulations, consumers have historically lost access to higher blends of ethanol during the summer months. In April 2022, eight Midwestern governors sent a letter to EPA Administrator Michael Regan asking him to provide a permanent fix to this issue by allowing retailers to sell...

Dec 15, 2023

Key Issues: EthanolSustainability

Author: Bryan Goodman

The U.S. Department of Treasury announced today that it will use a modified version of the GREET model as a measurement for determining reductions in greenhouse gas emissions as the agency allocates tax credits for sustainable aviation fuels under the recently passed Inflation Reduction Act.   The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) said it is pleased that Treasury is embracing the model.   “Given that GREET was created by the U.S. government and is widely respected for its ability to measure reductions in greenhouse gas emissions from the farm to the plane, we are encouraged that Treasury will adopt some version of this model,” said Minnesota farmer and NCGA President Harold Wolle. “At the end of the day, we are eager to help the aviation sector lower its carbon footprint, and we look forward to working with the involved agencies over the coming months to ensure the final model helps us achieve that goal.”   The decision by Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has been...

Dec 13, 2023

Key Issues: YIELD CONTEST WINNERS

Author: Stacey Stiens

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) is excited to announce the winners of the 2023 National Corn Yield Contest. This group of farmers put up some impressive yields and proved, once again, the ingenuity and resiliency of the U.S. farmer.     In its 59th year, the National Corn Yield Contest saw nearly 7,000 entries from farmers in 46 states. Entrants across the 10 production categories, including the pilot category for nitrogen management, Class J, had verified yields averaging 269 bushels per acre, compared to the projected national average of 173 bushels per acre. This includes a new national record yield of 623.8439 bushels per acre from David Hula in Charles City, VA, besting the previous record of 616.1953 bushels per acre.     “Year after year, the National Corn Yield Contest remains the most popular program for NCGA members,” said Harold Wolle, president of the National Corn Growers Association. “It is an opportunity for farmers across the country to put their...

Dec 7, 2023

Key Issues: Trade

Author: Bryan Goodman

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA), along with 57 agriculture organizations including 22 state corn grower groups, urged the U.S. International Trade Commission today to consider the impacts that tariffs on Moroccan shipments of fertilizers are having on family farms. The concerns were expressed in a letter that comes after the ITC was ordered by the U.S. Court of International Trade to reconsider its determination of material injury in a decision issued earlier in September. “Rising prices for fertilizer inputs have strained America’s farmers and ranchers and have impacted availability for this critical component of nutrient and yield management,” the letter said. “Without predictable options to source this product, farmers struggle to plan for the future.” The signatories noted that issues surrounding the international supply chain further complicate farmers’ ability to source phosphate. The letter further explains that the ITC originally made some inferences on the...

Dec 4, 2023

Author: Gaylen Holloway

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) urges all National Corn Yield Contest participants to enter their harvest results by 4 p.m. CT tomorrow, December 5.   Participants must submit a harvest entry to be included in the Winners Announcement, which will take place on Wednesday, December 13.   Don’t miss the opportunity to make history and be a part of something larger than your operation.   Submit your harvest entry at ncga.com/ncyc and contact the NCYC team at ncyc@ncga.com with any questions.

Dec 1, 2023

Key Issues: TradeTransportation and Infrastructure

Author: Krista Swanson

For the second year in a row, drought conditions are impacting transportation on the Mississippi River at the peak shipment point of the year. Shallower river levels mean barge weight restrictions, slower barge traffic, and higher costs to ship commodities on the river. Ultimately, this translates to a relatively lower price at the farmgate and higher cost for the world buyer.   Drought Slows Grain Barge Traffic in 2022 and 2023 The Mississippi River is an important channel for commodity transportation. The USDA reports the final mode of transport was barge for 13% of U.S. grains in 2020, and 46% of exported U.S. grains[i]. There are normally two peaks in grain barge movements, one in late summer leading up to the end of the marketing year for corn and soybeans, and the other emerging in the fall harvest season and into the post-harvest months.   The impact of low water levels on grain barge movements was notable in 2023, marking the second consecutive year of drought...