In The News

Apr 19, 2024

Corn Growers Applaud EPA for Allowing Access to Higher Blends of Ethanol During Summer Months

Key Issues: Ethanol

Author: Bryan Goodman

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced today that it will use its existing authority to prevent drivers from losing access to lower-cost and lower-emission E15, a higher ethanol blend often marketed as Unleaded 88. The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) and state corn grower organizations, which have advocated for the move, praised the decision “This waiver is good news for corn growers and those in rural America who will benefit economically from this decision and for consumers who will save money at the pump during a busy travel season,” said Minnesota farmer and NCGA President Harold Wolle. “We are deeply appreciative of EPA Administrator Regan, President Biden and our congressional allies for all their work on this issue.” Under current policy, E15 cannot be sold at terminals beginning on May 1 and at retail stations starting on June 1. But the Clean Air Act gives EPA authority to temporarily waive these requirements to address pressing concerns, such as...

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Apr 18, 2024

Six National Commodity Groups Call on U.S. International Trade Commission to Nix Petition Related to Duties on Herbicides

Key Issues: Trade

Author: Bryan Goodman

Six of the nation’s major commodity groups, including the National Corn Growers Association, sent a letter to the U.S. International Trade Commission today encouraging it to vote negative in advancing a petition by Corteva Agribusiness to place antidumping and countervailing duties on imports of the herbicide 2,4-D shipped from India and China.   The letter said if the U.S. International Trade Commission votes to continue the case beyond the preliminary stage, farmers across the country could soon find it difficult to access critical supplies.   The letter, signed by leaders from the American Soybean Association, National Association of Wheat Growers, National Barley Growers Association, National Corn Growers Association, National Sorghum Producers and the U.S. Durum Growers Association, expressed concerns that the petition could hinder imports and cause herbicide shortages.   “The imports covered by this case are the large majority of sources of supply other than Corteva, which...

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Apr 9, 2024

NCGA’s Hartman Travels to Capitol Hill to Push for Crop Insurance Improvements

Key Issues: Farm Bill

Author: Bryan Goodman

National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) First Vice President Kenneth Hartman Jr. joined a press conference on Capitol Hill today to offer corn growers’ support of legislation to make crop insurance more affordable for producers through the farm bill.   The press conference centered around today’s introduction of the Federal Agriculture Risk Management Enhancement and Resilience Act, sponsored by Sen. John Hoeven (R-N.D.). The FARMER Act has been endorsed by NCGA. “Increasing the affordability of crop insurance is a top priority for our farmers,” said Hartman. “We applaud Sen. Hoeven and his colleagues’ efforts in ensuring that these risk management tools continue to be improved and meet the challenges producers face today.”   The legislation seeks to improve federal crop insurance affordability by increasing support for the highest levels of yield and revenue coverage and enhancing the Supplemental Coverage Option. Original cosponsors include several members of the Senate...

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Apr 8, 2024

Corn Demand Takes a Hit in EPA’s New Tailpipe Rule

Author: Krista Swanson

Motor gasoline use is expected to decline in the future even under a baseline case, but new tailpipe emissions rules really put the pedal to the metal – rapidly accelerating that process. This would be a major shock on demand for corn used to produce ethanol spurring potentially devastating impacts on farmers and the rural economy.       The New Tailpipe Emissions Rule The Environmental Protection Agency recently released its final rule for multi-pollutant emissions standards for model years 2027 and later light-duty and medium-duty vehicles with heavy reliance on the use of electric vehicles. The ruling dictates that sales of non-electric vehicles will drop from over 92% of new vehicle sales in 2023[i] to under 30% of new vehicle sales in 2032. In the EPA central scenario, that translates to a 6.9-billion-gallon reduction in motor gasoline use in 2032, a 5.7% decline from the baseline projection for that year. Motor gasoline use is expected to decline in the baseline, but...

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Apr 4, 2024

NCGA Leader Warns International Trade Commission Against Placing Duties on Imports of Key Herbicide

Key Issues: Trade

Author: Bryan Goodman

Saying growers need reliable access to essential farming tools, the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) President Harold Wolle warned the U.S. International Trade Commission today of the consequences for America’s farmers if the agency grants a petition to levy tariffs on imported 2,4-D, an often-used herbicide that has been on the market for decades.   “The scenario under consideration has the potential to limit imports of an important product, raise its price, and create a supply shortage, all while raising the cost of production in an already tight market,” Wolle said. “Farmers are price takers, not makers in selling our commodities, and closely managing our production costs is crucial to our success. Thus, tariffs on these products would create an even more difficult economic scenario for me, my family, and the farmers I represent.”   Wolle’s testimony comes after Corteva Inc. filed antidumping and countervailing duty petitions with the ITC on March 14 over India and...

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