In The News

Feb 15, 2024

Key Issues: Animal Agriculture

Author: Michael Granché

Two weeks ago, the National Corn Growers Association’s (NCGA) Market Development Action Team (MDAT) converged with industry leaders at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) annual convention in Orlando, Florida. During the week Matt Frostic, Troy Schneider, Denny Vennekotter, Sarah McKay, and Michael Granché engaged in crucial discussions with NCBA's executive leadership, highlighting shared priorities and emphasizing the significance of bolstering their symbiotic relationship.   On Wednesday morning, Troy Schneider joined Cattlemen to Cattlemen show host Kevin Ochsner for an exclusive RFD-TV interview. Together, they illustrated the integral partnership between beef and corn, showcasing how these industries collaborate to drive progress and maintain profitability for farm operators. Then, on Thursday morning, Michael and Kristen Schneider took part in the annual #BeefIt5k race, a vibrant event symbolizing the energy and dedication within the industry fueled by the...

Jan 22, 2024

Key Issues: SustainabilityAnimal Agriculture

Author: Stacey Stiens

The importance of collaborative ag industry partnerships is front and center in a new video funded in part by the National Corn Growers Association’s (NCGA) Market Development Action Team. The U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) partnered with U.S. Pork, U.S. Soy, NCGA, the Beef Checkoff, and American Lamb to produce a visually engaging narrative that showcases how American producers' dedication to the land and animals translates into high-quality, sustainable protein worldwide. The video—Beyond Borders—aims to highlight the U.S. red meat industry's commitment to sustainability, recognizing its growing importance in global markets and meeting customer demand.    "The USMEF Beyond Borders video illustrates the power of collaboration between corn and our valued partners across the meat industry. By working hand in hand with our animal ag partners, we are not just cultivating crops; we are cultivating a future where best practices and a shared commitment to the land will lead the...

Mar 29, 2023

Key Issues: Animal Agriculture

Author: Michael Granché

Last week, the U.S.A. Poultry Egg Export Council (USAPEEC) held their annual Strategic Planning Conference in Tokyo, Japan. Bringing together USAPEEC’s global staff and industry representatives from across the sector, the conference enables participants to analyze opportunities for expansion and barriers to market access, and then formulate strategy to increase and create additional demand for American poultry and egg products. Representing National Corn Grower Association’s Market Development Action Team was Michigan Corn Growers Association Vice President John Delmotte and NCGA Market Development Manager Michael Granché. On Thursday, Delmotte and Granché provided a presentation that highlighted the value of partnerships, highlighted goals and progress outlined within NCGA’s Sustainability Report, and illustrated how USAPEEC and NCGA have worked together through projects their Chicken, Egg, and Turkey Buyer’s Guides.   “Most farmers think that our corn is exported as grain to...

Oct 26, 2022

Key Issues: TradeAnimal Agriculture

Author: Julie Busse

Viewers of Cattlemen to Cattlemen on RFD-TV will get a firsthand look at the value of corn and beef exports at the Port of New Orleans. The episode will re-air on Tuesday, November 1 at 8:30 PM ET. National Corn Growers Association's (NCGA) Market Development Action Team (MDAT) funded this initiative. In 2021, beef and pork exports accounted for 537 million bushels of corn usage.   “The U.S. is the world’s leading exporter of corn and when you pair that with the success of exports of the beef industry, it is an important demand driver for corn farmers,” said National Corn Growers Association President and Minnesota farmer Tom Haag. “Being at the Port of New Orleans for this episode was a great backdrop because of the amount of agricultural goods and product that goes out of this port.”   Panel participants include Tom Haag, NCGA President and Minnesota farmer; National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) President and Minnesota farmer Don Schiefelbein; NCGA Market Development...

Sep 19, 2022

Key Issues: Animal Agriculture

Author: Julie Busse

Later this month, viewers of Cattlemen to Cattlemen on RFD-TV will get a firsthand look at the value of corn and beef exports at the Port of New Orleans. In 2021, beef and port exports accounted for 537 million bushels of corn usage.   “The U.S. is the world’s leading exporter of corn and when you pair that with the success of exports of the beef industry, it is an important demand driver for corn farmers,” said National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) incoming President and Minnesota farmer Tom Haag. “Being at the Port of New Orleans for this episode was a great backdrop because of the amount of agricultural goods and product that goes out of this port.”   Panel participants include Tom Haag, incoming NCGA President and Minnesota farmer; National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) President and Minnesota farmer Don Schiefelbein; NCGA Market Development Action Team Chair and Colorado corn and beef producer Troy Schneider; and Kyla Hamilton, a Texas corn and beef producer who...

Jul 18, 2022

Key Issues: Animal Agriculture

Author: Julie Busse

The U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) just recently updated its export numbers and the value to corn and soybean farmers. The study shows in 2021, beef and pork exports accounted for 537 million bushels of corn usage, which equals $2.94 billion (estimated using an average corn price of $5.48 bushel).   “The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) works closely with USMEF and other domestic and export partners to help drive demand and bring value back to corn farmers,” said NCGA Market Development Action Team Chair and Colorado farmer Troy Schneider. “The animal ag industry is the largest user of U.S. corn, and it’s important to collaborate and partner with the industry to expand and grow these markets.”   Other key findings from the 2021 report include:   Beef and pork exports account for 3.4 million tons of distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS) Pork and beef exports contributed 12% of bushel value The market value of beef and pork exports to U.S. DDGS equals...

Jun 9, 2022

Key Issues: Animal Agriculture

Author: Michael Granché

June is National Dairy Month, and we can’t think of a better way to celebrate than to focus on the relationship between the corn and dairy industries! Did you know that dairy cattle consume 30% of dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGs), a co-product of the ethanol production process? In 2021, DDGs used 1,055 million bushels of corn.   The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) engages with the dairy industry through the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy, who recently hosted the 2022 Dairy Sustainability Alliance Spring Meeting in Oak Brook, Illinois. NCGA’s Market Development Manager Michael Granché attended the conference where participants discussed sustainability in a transitioning world away from COVID-19 restrictions, the FARM ES data model, the intersection between high tech and high touch, driving profits with purpose, global methane pledges and cultivating a culture of social responsibility.    “It was great to engage in such high-energy conversations around what...

Feb 3, 2022

Key Issues: Animal Agriculture

Author: Julie Busse

This week, the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) participated in the Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Tradeshow to engage with corn’s largest animal ag consumer, beef cattle. The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Annual Cattle Industry and Trade Show, #CattleCon22, was attended by thousands in the ag industry, including representatives of the National Corn Growers Association who were on hand to talk about beef and corn’s sustainability story.    “The beef industry consumes over 1.25 billion bushels of corn annually,” said NCGA Market Development Director Sarah McKay. “It’s important for us to engage with our partners and talk to them about not only some of the exciting research and projects we are working on in the feed space but also the sustainable synergies between beef and corn production. We have a great story to tell in this space, and it’s important to continue working together to share that narrative.”   NCGA hosted a Learning Lounge session, “Sizzlin’...

Oct 19, 2021

Key Issues: Animal Agriculture

Author: Julie Busse

There are many benefits to including corn in your pet’s diet, but have you ever wondered about the benefits that your cat or dog brings to the corn industry? A comprehensive study unpacked the $30 billion U.S. retail pet food industry, thanks to the Institute for Feed Education and Research (IFEEDER), the Pet Food Institute and the North American Renderers Association.   The study found that corn and corn gluten meal are the top two most used plant-based ingredients in pet food products. Corn is the dominant plant-based carbohydrate at 1,283,674 tons, and corn gluten meal is the dominant plant-based protein ingredient at 476,649 tons used on an annual basis. Thanks to Fido and Fluffy, the corn industry moved 1,958,061 tons of product, valued at a total of $438 million.   “Farmers and farm-product processors sell $6.9 billion worth of products to pet food manufacturers every year that are used as ingredients. Sales made by farmers and processors of farm products to pet food...

Oct 15, 2021

Key Issues: Animal Agriculture

Author: Julie Busse

Beef and Corn: Working Together in a Sustainable System was the focus of a recent episode on the National Cattlemen Beef Association’s (NCBA) series Cattlemen to Cattlemen on RFD-TV. Panelists discuss sustainability practices on their farms, the benefits of next-generation feed products, how the ethanol industry has impacted corn and beef producers, and more. The episode was filmed at the Certified Angus Beef headquarters in Wooster, Ohio with panelists from the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA), NCBA, and Certified Angus Beef (CAB). The episode aired on Tuesday, September 28th on RFD-TV at 8:30 PM ET.   “It is important for corn farmers and beef producers to work together so both industries remain sustainable, both environmentally and economically, for the years to come,” said NCGA Chairman John Linder. “Beef cattle is one of our largest customers. One out of four bushels of added corn demand is due to beef and pork exports, with the beef industry providing $5.7 billion...