Nearly 70-percent of annual corn demand is covered under the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) Market Development Action Team (MDAT) portfolio. From exports to animal agriculture to new uses of corn, the team is focused on growing and driving demand for America’s corn farmers.
“This team had a lot of wins in 2020, and we will continue that momentum into our planning for 2021 and beyond,” said MDAT Chair and Iowa farmer Bob Hemesath. “I look forward to leading the team and tackling the challenge that faces us – how to grind more corn. Our team's portfolio includes initiatives like the Consider Corn Challenge, which we will be announcing details on our third open-innovation challenge soon; the Cattlemen’s Education Series, a virtual program that focuses on issues that impact cattle producers such as protein and energy supplementation; and Trade School, a joint venture with the U.S. Grains Council (USGC), in which we are able to give our members the tools they need to be able to better talk to members of Congress about the importance of trade, just to name a few.”
The team’s 2021 priorities include:
- Increase demand for U.S. Animal Agriculture exports
- Support research into corn and corn co-product use within animal feed
- Identify new & support existing industrial uses of corn
- Support development of trade policy that opens markets, removes trade barriers and advances international demand for corn and corn products.
“Last year, I got to see some of the upgrades to locks that were happening on the Illinois River and being able to experience first-hand the importance of the infrastructure of our inland waterways system as a tool for enabling exports and international competitiveness was eye-opening,” said Colorado farmer and MDAT Vice Chair Troy Schneider. “Exports of our animal ag products are essential for corn demand growth. The partnerships we have with organizations like the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) and the U.S.A. Poultry and Egg Export Council (USAPEEC) are important for continuing to grow demand not just now, but in the future.”
You can learn more about some of the recent successes and work being done in the Market Development Action Team at ncga.com and look under the Key Issues tab for animal agriculture, new uses, and trade.
