In The News

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 2, 2024

Key Issues: Farm Bill

Author: Bryan Goodman

As members of Congress head to their home states and districts for the August recess, the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) is reminding Representatives and Senators that the farm bill is still on their legislative to-do list this year.   “The farm bill is a top legislative priority for corn growers and agriculture at large,” said Minnesota farmer and NCGA President Harold Wolle. “There is still an opportunity to build upon the 2018 farm bill by strengthening the commodity, conservation, trade and crop insurance titles and USDA programs."   The farm bill was originally scheduled for reauthorization in 2023. Last November, Congress voted to extend the legislation to September 30, 2024, with the Agriculture Committee leaders committing to work together to pass the legislation this year.   “We are counting on our elected officials to find a path forward for a strong bipartisan farm bill that can be signed into law this year,” Wolle said. “Let’s get it...

Jul 23, 2024

Key Issues: Farm Bill

Author: Bryan Goodman

A corn grower leader from Minnesota told the House Agriculture Committee today that farmers in her state and across the country need the support of a reauthorized and strengthened farm bill. The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) and state corn-affiliated associations are continuing to push for an improved farm bill this year. “Unless conditions change, I believe we’re heading into a perfect storm, a storm that I don’t think will be fully appreciated until early next year when farmers try to get loans but are unable to do so because they cannot demonstrate the ability to cash flow,” Minnesota Corn Growers President Dana Allen-Tully, Ph.D., told the committee as she testified about the state of the agricultural economy.   While farmers can feed and fuel the economy, she said, they need a strong farm bill that will assist when the chips are down.   “We have to have policies in place that reflect the realities of farming today,” Allen-Tully said.  The stakes of farming are so...

May 24, 2024

Key Issues: Farm Bill

Author: Bryan Goodman

The Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2024 has passed the House Committee on Agriculture by a vote of 33-21. The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) said many of the recommendations made by corn grower leaders are reflected in the legislation and language in the bill would improve programs for corn growers across the country.   “We are deeply appreciative of the members on the committee and their staff for their work on this legislation,” said NCGA President Harold Wolle. “Advancing the farm bill through committee is an important milestone in the legislative process.”   During the markup, corn growers supported several amendments that were filed by committee members to improve the farm bill. Wolle said growers were appreciative of Rep. Max Miller (R-Ohio) for offering an amendment on sustainable aviation fuel that was adopted by the committee. He also thanked Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) for leading and offering an amendment requiring a mandatory base acre update...

May 21, 2024

Key Issues: Farm Bill

Author: Bryan Goodman

In a letter sent today to the House Committee on Agriculture, National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) President Harold Wolle reacted to the recently released House Farm Bill legislation. The committee is expected to markup the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2024 on Thursday, May 23. “NCGA’s farm bill recommendations seek to make existing USDA programs more effective, efficient, and responsive,” Wolle said. “Many of these recommendations are reflected in the proposed legislation and would be an improvement upon existing programs for corn growers across the country.”   The organization’s priorities include protecting federal crop insurance, bolstering U.S. international market development efforts, strengthening the producer safety net, supporting voluntary conservation programs, championing initiatives important to rural America and providing a base acre update.   The letter noted corn growers’ appreciation for the leadership of Chairman GT Thompson (R-Penn.),...

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...

Nov 16, 2023

Key Issues: Farm Bill

Author: Bryan Goodman

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) said today that it is pleased that the House and Senate passed a continuing resolution that extends the 2018 farm bill for one year, but the association said the extension is no substitute for a fully reauthorized farm bill. “Growers are already making decisions for the 2024 crop year based on markets, growing conditions and risk calculations,” said Minnesota farmer and NCGA President Harold Wolle. “This extension provides us with much needed certainty around the commodity title and other important USDA programs. But we continue to advocate for a full reauthorization of the farm bill as soon as possible.”   The 2018 farm bill, which expired on September 30, authorizes the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s farm and food programs. Late Tuesday night, the House of Representatives bundled the farm bill extension with a continuing resolution to fund the government through early next year. The Senate signaled its support soon after...

Jul 26, 2023

Key Issues: Farm Bill

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) released a video series featuring corn growers across the nation sharing their personal stories about how the farm bill affects their operations. The videos were unveiled at Corn Congress, which was held recently in Washington, D.C. The series features four farmers: Elizabeth Hinkle of Ashland, Pa.; Aaron Martinka of Holland, Texas; Brent Rogers of Hoxie, Kan.; and Eric Tipton of Jeffersonville, Ohio. These NCGA members shared the importance of crop insurance, trade, farm safety net programs and USDA conservation programming. NCGA’s Vice President of Public Policy Brooke S. Appleton noted the goal of the project was to help directly communicate with policymakers and their staff about the importance of the farm bill to corn growers and their families.     “Nearly half of the members of the House of Representatives were not around during the debate on the 2018 farm bill,” Appleton said. “We have known for some time that new member...

Jul 10, 2023

Key Issues: Farm BillFarm Policy

Author: Bryan Goodman

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) launched a campaign today that encourages advocates and allies to contact their congressional delegation about the importance of passing a bipartisan, comprehensive farm bill in 2023 that will support and protect the corn industry.   NCGA president, Tom Haag, noted the importance of this opportunity and the need for corn growers to send a strong, unified message to Capitol Hill.   “Farm bills only come around every five years. Sandwiched between legal jargon and formalities is language that directly affects the operations and livelihoods of corn growers,” said Haag. “This bill funds programs that help us stay in business in the tough years; support our continued stewardship and conservation of the land; explore new foreign markets; and advance innovative research. The stakes are high. We need a comprehensive, bipartisan bill that will protect and bolster corn, America’s crop.”   NCGA has been working diligently since the...

May 2, 2023

Key Issues: Farm Bill

Author: Bryan Goodman

Corn growers are championing several priorities as Congress debates reauthorization of the farm bill with crop insurance protection being the top focus, a leader of the National Corn Growers Association said today in testimony before the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Commodities, Risk Management, and Trade.   “We strongly oppose any efforts to restrict producer access to crop insurance products and oppose harmful program cuts that would negatively impact crop insurance products, their delivery, or the sound structure of the program,” said NCGA First Vice President Harold Wolle. During the hearing, which was held to elicit producer perspectives on the farm safety net, Wolle testified that NCGA supports increasing the affordability of crop insurance coverage. “Many corn growers purchase endorsement policies and higher levels of buy up coverage, but for others, the individual costs of purchasing coverage can discourage higher levels of coverage,” he said.     Wolle also...