In The News

Oct 17, 2024

Key Issues: EthanolEthanol ActionHigh-Octane Low-Carbon

Author: Krista Swanson

Ethanol is a renewable transportation fuel that can be made from domestically grown corn. Over 98% of the gasoline currently sold in the United States contains ethanol, typically a blend that is 10% ethanol and 90% gasoline. Autos that are 2001 and newer, over 92%[i] of the current fleet, can run on higher blends of ethanol (E15) but policy barriers limit availability despite infrastructure that is otherwise available to provide it. The National Corn Growers Association continues to advocate for higher blends of ethanol that would enhance market opportunities for our nation’s corn growers, lower prices at the pump for our nation’s consumers, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in our environment.       Corn Based Ethanol Reduces Emissions The transportation sector is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. In its most recent annual report[ii], the Environmental Protection Agency showed the transportation sector produced 28% of greenhouse gas...

Oct 8, 2024

Author: Bryan Goodman

National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) President Kenneth Hartman Jr. today told Biden administration officials that farmers are living through difficult economic times, but the administration and Congress can help by removing barriers so growers can access expanding markets for U.S. corn.   Hartman’s comments came during an event, called “Farmers and Ranchers in Action,” hosted this morning at the White House.   “On behalf of my fellow corn growers, I spoke about the need to make it possible for producers to access tax credits for sustainable aviation fuels,” Hartman said. “The tax credit would help us expand the ethanol market, which is important to growers, while boosting the airline industry’s efforts to lower greenhouse gas emissions.”   The White House meeting comes as producers are faced with falling corn and other commodity prices.   Hartman also touched on priorities that he hopes Congress will tackle and called on administration officials to help in any way they...

Oct 1, 2024

Author: Bryan Goodman

Kenneth Hartman Jr., a corn farmer from Waterloo, Ill., began his term this week as president of the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA).   During meetings with the media today, Hartman discussed the current economic challenges corn growers face and said he wanted to push for passage of a robust farm bill, expand markets and address tariffs that are being placed on ag supplies and passed on to farmers. He also talked about the need to extend consumer access to higher blends of ethanol. Key to accomplishing these goals, he said, is building relationships.   “My theme as president is “Building Bridges,” Hartman said. “We need to build on our ties with existing allies while cultivating new relationships with other organizations inside and outside agriculture. We also need to continue to reach out to policymakers and other leaders who may not represent rural communities but who benefit indirectly from the work of farmers. I strongly believe that coalition building is one of...

Sep 27, 2024

Key Issues: EthanolHigh-Octane Low-Carbon

Author: Bryan Goodman

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) applauded a bipartisan group of members of the U.S. House for introducing the “Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act” today, providing consumers with year-round access to higher blends of ethanol.   “This legislation would remove needless limits on the sale of ethanol, particularly during the summer months, helping us further reduce greenhouse gas emissions, cut prices at the pump while helping corn growers by providing a steady market for ethanol.” said Minnesota corn grower and NCGA President Harold Wolle. “The members of Congress introducing and co-sponsoring this legislation clearly care deeply about the economic wellbeing of farmers and rural America.”     Reps. Adrian Smith (R-Neb.), Angie Craig (D-Minn.), Sharice Davids (D-Kan.), Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.), Nikki Budzinski (D-Ill.), and Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-Iowa) are sponsoring the legislation.   Under current federal policy, 15% blends of ethanol, often called E15,...

Sep 24, 2024

Key Issues: Ethanol

Author: Bryan Goodman

Legislation was introduced in the U.S. House and Senate today that would extend a new sustainable aviation tax credit for biofuels for ten years and prevent foreign producers from accessing the credits.   The Senate bill was introduced by Sens. Roger Marshall (R-Kansas) and Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) and the House bill was introduced by Reps. Tracey Mann (R-Kansas) and Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio).   The National Corn Growers Association praised the development.   “Corn growers are making every effort to help the airline industry lower its greenhouse gas emissions through the use of corn ethanol,” said Minnesota farmer and NCGA president Harold Wolle. “We are deeply appreciative of these leaders for introducing legislation that establishes requirements for the tax credit that will level the playing field for America’s corn growers.” The tax credit, referred to as 45Z, is part of the Inflation Reduction Act, which was signed into law in 2022. The law provides tax incentives to refineries...

Sep 20, 2024

Key Issues: Ethanol

Author: Bryan Goodman

The National Corn Growers Association applauded the U.S. House of Representatives today for passing a bill that would overturn tailpipe emissions standards by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that focus solely on using electric vehicles to lower greenhouse gas emissions. “The members of Congress who passed this legislation understand well that there are many different tools that we can use to reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” said Minnesota farmer and NCGA President Harold Wolle. “While it could take years to realize the potential that EVs offer, ethanol is an effective part of a portfolio of options for addressing climate concerns, and it is fully available for use today.”   In May, the EPA released its final 2027-2032 emissions standards for sedans and light- and medium-duty trucks. NCGA has expressed deep concerns that the plan relies almost exclusively on the use of electric vehicles, requiring that a majority of the specified fleets are electric in less than a...

Sep 17, 2024

Key Issues: Trade

Author: Bryan Goodman

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA), joined by 25 other agriculture groups, sent a letter this week to the chairmen and ranking members of the Senate Finance Committee and House Ways & Means Committee encouraging them to reauthorize a lapsed trade program, called the Generalized System of Preference. Reauthorizing GSP will help cultivate new foreign markets for growers while providing an economic boost for developing countries. “American food and agriculture enterprises are continuously looking to diversify export opportunities, and the GSP program offers a starting point to broaden and deepen trading relationships with countries,” the letter said. “Our nation’s farmers and ranchers depend on an ongoing dialogue with our partners to compete on a global stage. With challenges emerging in key markets, exploring market access opportunities in new regions of the world will be imperative to keep American agriculture as a leader in global exports.” The GSP program, one of the...

Sep 12, 2024

Key Issues: Trade

Author: Bryan Goodman

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) and the American Soybean Association (ASA) expressed frustration today with a recently released recommendation by the U.S. Department of Commerce to impose preliminary countervailing duty rates on imports of the herbicide 2,4-D. The decision comes at the behest of domestic herbicide producer Corteva Agriscience, which filed a petition earlier this year calling for antidumping and countervailing duties on imports of herbicide 2,4-D from certain foreign suppliers. Farmers have said that their demand exceeds the domestic supply of the product, and foreign sources help fill this gap. “Access to this herbicide is critical for corn growers. Because there is only one domestic supplier manufacturing 2,4-D, growers in the U.S. must look to foreign suppliers to help meet our needs,” said Minnesota farmer and NCGA President Harold Wolle. “We would welcome ideas from Corteva on how to ensure that this herbicide is available and affordable for...

Sep 9, 2024

Key Issues: Farm Bill

Author: Bryan Goodman

Citing worsening economic conditions impacting the nation’s farmers, over 300 national and state groups, including the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) and its affiliated corn state grower associations, sent a letter to congressional leaders today calling on them to pass the farm bill before year’s end. Signatories included groups representing farmers, livestock and specialty crop producers, lenders and other essential stakeholders in agricultural communities across the U.S. Commodity and lending groups will head to the Capitol en masse this week to advocate for passage of the legislation with a stronger agricultural safety net.    “It is critical that Congress pass a new farm bill that strengthens the safety net as many producers are facing multiple years of not being profitable, and this is causing their overall financial situation to deteriorate,” the letter said. “Some will have challenges as they seek operating credit for the 2025 crop year.” The farm bill is...

Aug 20, 2024

Key Issues: Trade

Author: Bryan Goodman

The National Corn Growers Association today urged Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to resolve a dispute between his nation’s railways executives and union leaders that could result in a strike interrupting rail service into the U.S.   “If a strike shuts down rail service from Canada into the U.S., it will adversely impact America’s farmers who rely on rail to ship goods between the two countries,” said NCGA President Harold Wolle. “We encourage Prime Minister Trudeau, the Teamsters and Canadian rail workers to do everything possible to avoid such a strike.”   Canada is the third-largest destination for U.S. agricultural exports and the second-largest source of agricultural imports. Of great concern to corn growers, a strike could interrupt shipments of fertilizer imports and exports of ethanol, corn and byproducts used as animal feed.   The Teamsters have been at an impasse with the Canadian National Railways and the National Pacific Kansas City over labor contracts....