In The News

Aug 29, 2023

Key Issues: Farm Policy

Author: Colleen Willard

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) expressed disappointment with the revised Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule that was issued today by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Army Corps of Engineers.   “U.S. corn growers are disappointed by EPA’s revised WOTUS rule,” said NCGA President Tom Haag. “The agency failed to open the process to public comment and engagement, which would have been extremely valuable. Instead, the agency has released a rule that does not fully respect the holdings from the recent U.S. Supreme Court case on WOTUS. ”    EPA released the revised rule after the U.S. Supreme Court issued a ruling in Sackett v. EPA earlier this summer that narrowed the scope of the Clean Water Act’s jurisdiction by, among other things, a unanimous decision that “significant nexus” was unlawful.

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...

Feb 1, 2023

Key Issues: Farm Policy

Author: Bryan Goodman

The National Corn Growers Association is reminding corn growers that the deadline to respond to the 2022 Census of Agriculture is Monday, Feb. 6. Producers can respond online at agcounts.usda.gov or by mail.   NASS mailed the Census of Agriculture questionnaires to every known ag producer in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. Conducted just once every five years, the ag census provides a complete account of the nation’s farms and ranches and the people who operate them.   The Census of Agriculture informs decisions about policy, programs, rural development, research, and more. The survey results are the only source of uniform, comprehensive, and impartial agriculture data for every state, county and U.S. territory. U.S. farm operations of all sizes, urban and rural, which produced and sold, or normally would have sold, $1,000 or more of agricultural products in 2022, are included.   NASS will release the results of the ag census in 2024. Visit nass.usda.gov/agcensus, for more...

Jan 30, 2023

Key Issues: Farm Policy

Author: Bryan Goodman

The National Corn Growers Association joined over 60 groups in sending letters to key decision makers in the Biden administration and Congress opposing cuts to the federal crop insurance program during the upcoming fiscal year 2024 budget and appropriations processes.   “The last several years have brought an onslaught of uncertainty for America’s farmers and ranchers – from weather extremes to the disruptions of international markets to COVID-19 and all of its unique challenges,” the letter explains. “During this tumultuous time, one of the few certainties that farmers could rely on was the protection provided by the federal crop insurance policy purchased with their hard-earned dollars.”   Protecting crop insurance continues to be a top issue for NCGA and our grower members. NCGA President Tom Haag has provided congressional testimony on the importance of the program.   “Our number one priority for the farm bill is to protect crop insurance from harmful budget cuts and...

Oct 19, 2022

Key Issues: EthanolFarm Policy

Author: Julie Busse

With the Department of Energy’s announcement to release 15 million barrels of oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) called on policymakers to advance ethanol as a solution to increase the nation’s fuel supply and lower prices for American consumers at the pump. NCGA also highlighted a new report that found nationwide E15 sales would save drivers over $20 billion in annual fuel costs.   “We welcome the administration’s continued focus on energy security, but we can’t lose sight of the need for long-term solutions,” NCGA Vice President of Public Policy Brooke Appleton said. “While a further SPR release may provide some short-term relief, expanding access to higher biofuel blends and advancing fuel policy solutions help extend fuel supplies, lower costs for consumers and shore-up America’s energy security for the long run.”   Ethanol adds nearly 15 billion gallons to our fuel supply every year, lowering demand for high-cost oil...

Oct 19, 2022

Key Issues: EthanolFarm Policy

Author: Bryan Goodman

Thirteen senators wrote U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael Regan today urging him to set strong volume requirements for 2023 under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). The bipartisan group, led by Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), also encouraged the administrator to use the pending rulemaking to optimize the RFS to deliver greater environmental and economic benefits from renewable fuels such as ethanol. In a change from prior years, EPA will now determine RFS volumes based on a set of environmental and economic factors and guardrails in the statute. Biofuels such as ethanol cut greenhouse gas and tailpipe emissions and lower prices at the pump, benefitting the environment and consumers.   As senators stated in their letter: “Through this rulemaking, EPA has a historic opportunity to not only reinforce its efforts to restore integrity to the RFS, but chart a new course for biofuels that will help meet America’s diverse energy demands while...

Sep 28, 2022

Key Issues: Farm Policy

Author: Bryan Goodman

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) applauded the U.S. Department of Agriculture today for expanding the Post-Application Coverage Endorsement insurance option for corn farmers who “split-apply” nitrogen. The expansion will include most counties in Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, and Wisconsin where non-irrigated corn is insurable. “PACE provides an additional risk management tool for corn growers who split-apply nitrogen,” said Iowa farmer and NCGA President Chris Edgington. “We believe in this crop insurance product and are glad that the Risk Management Agency is expanding access to PACE for the next crop year.” PACE provides coverage for the projected yield lost when producers are unable to apply the post-nitrogen application due to field conditions created by weather. It is available as supplemental coverage for Yield Protection, Revenue Protection, and Revenue Protection with Harvest Price Exclusion policies. PACE was developed by the Illinois Corn Growers Association,...

Sep 28, 2022

Key Issues: Farm Policy

Author: Dusty Weis

As Chris Edgington wraps up his term as NCGA President, we look back at the meaningful progress corn growers made in 2022.   2022 has been another one of those years that throws a lot of curve balls at you.   But in the world of agriculture, you can’t just hit home runs all the time.   It might not get the headlines, but the real work gets done in the singles and doubles that you hit, and you’ve got to hit those reliably.   And so in this episode, we look back at some of the wins for the industry that you might not have heard about, with outgoing NCGA President Chris Edgington as he winds down his term in office.   From tariffs on inputs to new regulations, the association has battled back against developments that would have cost farmers dearly. At the same time, new support for ethanol fuel is moving forward in Washington and could be a huge boon to growers.   Make sure to REGISTER YOUR CONCERNS WITH THE EPA about its plans to revise registration for atrazine, which...

Sep 27, 2022

Key Issues: Farm PolicyProduction

Author: Bryan Goodman

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) is encouraging growers to join its call-to-action and submit comments to the EPA on the important role atrazine, a popular herbicide, plays in their work. The call-to-action was launched over the summer as EPA began revising its registration for atrazine. EPA is proposing a level of concern for atrazine at 3.4 parts per billion, down from the current level of 15 parts per billion. The move would significantly impair the effective use of atrazine on farms, according to NCGA. “Atrazine allows corn growers to experience higher yields using less land with fewer inputs, which is good for the environment and saves growers money,” said Brooke S. Appleton, vice president of public policy at the National Corn Growers Association. “Reducing the effectiveness of this important herbicide will hinder the work of farmers and turn the clock back on our conservation efforts.” Since the organization launched the call to action on July 20, more than...

Sep 22, 2022

Key Issues: Farm Policy

Author: Bryan Goodman

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) praised the credentials of Alexis Taylor today and encouraged the Senate to act quickly to confirm her as undersecretary for trade and U.S. agricultural affairs at USDA. NCGA’s comments came after Taylor testified before the Senate Agriculture Committee as it considers her nomination. “Alexis is someone with a deep understanding of agriculture, and she is widely respected by policymakers on both sides of the aisle,” said Brooke S. Appleton, vice president of public policy at the National Corn Growers Association. “We are very excited by the prospect of having someone of Alexis’s caliber serving in this role.”   During her testimony, the nominee told the committee that “ag is not just what I do, but who I am.” Taylor, who currently serves as director of the Oregon Department of Agriculture, has served as a policy expert on ag issues for several members of Congress and managed the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm and Foreign...