In The News

Apr 9, 2024

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...

Apr 8, 2024

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...

Apr 4, 2024

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...

Mar 20, 2024

Key Issues: Ethanol

Author: Bryan Goodman

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) expressed grave concern and disappointment today with the Environmental Protection Agency’s final 2027-2032 emissions standards for sedans and light- and medium-duty trucks.   The plan still relies almost exclusively on the use of electric vehicles, requiring that a majority of the specified fleets are electric in less than a decade. A decision of this magnitude will have long-lasting negative implications for the rural economy because it ignores the benefits of ethanol.     “We are deeply concerned and disappointed that EPA has chosen to force a one-size-fits-all solution to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and ignore the readily available solution that biofuels like ethanol bring to the table,” said NCGA President Harold Wolle. “This decision will not only severely hamper the administration’s ability to reach its own climate goals, but it will also hurt family farms and rural communities that rely heavily on the sale of biofuels. On...

Mar 19, 2024

Key Issues: Trade

Author: Bryan Goodman

The National Corn Growers Association said today that it strongly supports the sentiments included in a letter from Reps. Randy Feenstra (R-Iowa), Darin LaHood (R-Ill.) and 18 other members of Congress that was recently sent to President Biden and the U.S. Trade Representative. The letter urges action to remove trade barriers affecting ethanol and other biofuels, and open new export markets that would benefit farmers.   “Opening new markets and reducing barriers to existing markets for biofuels is crucial to growing demand for corn growers,” said Minnesota farmer and NCGA President Harold Wolle. “We are highly appreciative of Reps. Feenstra and LaHood for standing up for farmers, and we hope it will provide a roadmap for USTR as it works to address some high stakes trade issues like the current ethanol tariff in Brazil.” In the letter, the members of Congress highlighted the economic benefits of free markets. “The United States exports approximately 1.5 billion gallons of...

Mar 6, 2024

Author: Bryan Goodman

The National Corn Growers Association’s Corn Congress recently ratified a new strategic plan for the organization, modernizing its objectives and positioning the organization to focus on increasing corn demand. The vote to approve the new plan came on Saturday as Corn Congress concluded its meeting in Houston, Texas.   After the vote, NCGA officials highlighted the plan’s importance to the organization’s mission. “Controlling the future is impossible, but we can take steps to Shape the Future,” said NCGA President and Minnesota farmer Harold Wolle. “This plan, which represents hundreds of hours of work and input from growers, our state partners, the Corn Board and NCGA staff, will allow us to meet the needs of our farmers, not just today but well into the future.” Driving demand for future U.S. corn production is a key focus of the plan, as projected yield trends show continued growth in production through the end of the decade and beyond. NCGA will also focus on protecting the...

Mar 2, 2024

Key Issues: EthanolSustainabilityNew Uses

Author: Bryan Goodman

As Treasury considers how to measure greenhouse gas emissions as it allocates tax credits for sustainable aviation fuels, the National Corn Growers Association’s (NCGA) Corn Congress, meeting in Houston, Texas, reaffirmed their support today for the use of the GREET model in making that determination.   “Corn grower leaders across the country have made it clear that the GREET model is the most reliable measure in determining reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, as it weighs the environmental impacts from the farm to the car or plane,” said NCGA President Harold Wolle. “We strongly encourage the administration to embrace this model, and its accurate and fair calculation of corn’s environmental picture.”   The Inflation Reduction Act, signed into law in 2022, calls for the allocation of $1.25 for each gallon of sustainable aviation fuel in a qualified mixture. To qualify for the credit, biofuels must reduce lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions by at least 50%.   NCGA has...

Mar 1, 2024

Author: Bryan Goodman

Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael Regan said today that his agency will create the Office of Agriculture and Rural Affairs at the agency to focus on issues important to farmers. Rod Snyder, a former lobbyist for the National Corn Growers Association who currently serves as advisor to the administrator, will head the office.   The announcement, which was made at Commodity Classic in Houston, Texas, was met with praise by NCGA. “We are exceptionally pleased that there will be a program at EPA that is tasked with ensuring the voices and concerns of farmers are heard loud and clear,” said NCGA President Harold Wolle. “And the administrator could not have found a better person to lead this office than Rod Snyder. Anyone who has worked with Rod will tell you he is a smart, stellar professional who thoroughly understands the agricultural community.”   The announcement comes as EPA deals with a host of issues that will impact American farmers, including the...

Feb 29, 2024

Key Issues: Trade

Author: Bryan Goodman

Saying U.S. farmers depend on the strong demand that comes with expanded market access, the National Corn Growers Association’s (NCGA) Corn Congress today passed a consensus statement encouraging federal officials to pursue trade opportunities and invest in foreign market development to ensure that the U.S. remains a global leader in corn production and trade.   “Building demand for U.S. corn is a top priority for NCGA and its state affiliates,” said Harold Wolle, NCGA president. “International markets are crucial to the overall demand for U.S. corn, and  actions that restrict access to foreign markets will hurt both U.S. farmers and the broader U.S. economy.”   The full text of the consensus is as follows:   "Whereas, market access is critical for U.S. farmers to be successful and support the nation’s economy. Whereas, market access could be negatively impacted by retaliation that targets U.S. farmers. Whereas, U.S. farmers depend on robust and expanded market access for...

Feb 22, 2024

Key Issues: Ethanol

Author: Bryan Goodman

The Environmental Protection Agency announced today that it will grant the request by eight Midwestern governors to allow the year-round sale of fuel with a 15% ethanol blend, or E15, in their states beginning in the summer of 2025. The announcement was welcomed by the National Corn Growers Association, which has been fighting to break down barriers to the environmentally friendly biofuels. “We are glad to hear this decision from EPA, as it puts us on the road to providing more certainty to America’s corn growers and consumers who will save money at the pump,” said NCGA President and Minnesota Farmer Harold Wolle. “However, given that this decision will not take effect until the summer of 2025, we question and are concerned about the implications of the timeline for growers and consumers this summer.” The sale of E15 has been banned during the summer months to meet federal clean air standards that have been shown to be unnecessary and outdated. The U.S. EPA has granted waivers...