Mar 6, 2024
Corn Congress Ratifies NCGA Strategic Plan, Heightening Focus on Demand Building and Positioning Organization for Future Service to GrowersAuthor: 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...
Read MoreMar 2, 2024
Corn Grower Leaders Re-Affirm Stance on Use of GREET Model in Determining Tax Credits for Sustainable Aviation FuelsKey Issues: EthanolSustainability
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...
Read MoreMar 1, 2024
NCGA: EPA’s Move to Establish Agricultural Office is Positive DevelopmentAuthor: 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...
Read MoreFeb 29, 2024
Corn Congress Passes Consensus Encouraging Expanded Access to Foreign MarketsKey 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 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 exporting...
Read MoreFeb 22, 2024
Corn Growers Welcome Decision by EPA on Access to Year-Round E15 While Calling for Legislation to Eliminate Nationwide Patchwork on EthanolKey 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...
Read MoreFeb 22, 2024
Embark on Ag Odyssey: Commodity Classic 2024 Awaits in Houston!Author: Stacey Stiens
Get ready to blast off into "New Frontiers in Agriculture" at Commodity Classic 2024! We're just days away from the event of the year, and excitement is reaching astronomical levels. As we gear up to welcome you next week, the National Corn Growers Association can't wait to embark on this memorable journey together. Houston, known as Space City, is the perfect backdrop for our exploration of new frontiers. Just like NASA pioneers push the boundaries of space exploration, we're pushing the boundaries of agriculture with cutting-edge technology and innovative practices. And what better place to draw inspiration from the stars above than at the NASA Space Center, right here in Houston? This year's Classic is bringing the spirit of exploration and discovery to the forefront. From the trade show floor to the educational sessions, you'll find yourself immersed in a world of possibility. Just as astronauts boldly go where no one has gone before, we're venturing into uncharted...
Read MoreFeb 21, 2024
Arians Joins NCGA as VP, Sustainable ProductionKey Issues: Sustainability
Author: Nicole Hasheider
The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) announced today that Sean Arians has joined the organization as vice president of Sustainable Production. Arians brings to the role 20 years of experience working in the agriculture industry in a variety of production- and sustainability-focused roles. “Sean has deep agricultural roots and has earned the reputation of being a strategic thinker and innovative problem solver,” said NCGA CEO Neil Caskey. “We’re thrilled to welcome him to the NCGA team to lead and elevate our efforts to support the long trajectory of sustainability gains made by U.S. corn farmers.” Prior to joining NCGA, Arians worked for some of the biggest brands in agriculture, including roles at Advanced Agrilytics, Bayer, The Climate Corporation and Precision Planting. His past experience spans on-the-ground work with farmers to implement sustainable solutions for their farms to roles in strategy to drive big-picture solutions across companies. “I’m...
Read MoreFeb 16, 2024
Breaking Down 5 Projections in the USDA 2024 Corn OutlookKey Issues: Production
Author: Krista Swanson
USDA released the Grains and Oilseeds Outlook this week providing an initial look at the 2024/25 marketing year projections that include lower production, greater domestic use, increased exports, and higher ending stocks as compared to the current 2023/24 market years. The following is a summary and some additional context for five projections from the latest outlook. Yield Corn yield is projected at 181 bushels per acre. Yield projections depend on the modeling approach and time series used. While a 3.7 bushel per acre increase over the 2023 record 177.3 bushels per acre may seem like a stretch, a regression on annual yields from 2023 to several different historical points including 1934, 1980, and 1996 all predict 2024 yields within about one bushel of the USDA projection. Trendline yields are a reasonable expectation at this point. Adverse weather is generally thought to have a negative impact on yields but in 2023 a record yield was achieved in a year with widespread...
Read MoreFeb 16, 2024
2024 Commodity Classic: Double the Opportunity to Hear Directly from the Country’s Key Leaders on Agriculture PrioritiesAuthor: Kris Martinez
USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack & EPA Administrator Michael Regan Confirmed for General Session In an unprecedented opportunity for Commodity Classic attendees, both United States Department of Agriculture Secretary Thomas Vilsack and Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael Regan will keynote the General Session of this year’s event, fast approaching Feb. 28-March 2 in Houston. The General Session is Friday, March 1, 8:30-10:30 a.m. (CST) at the George R. Brown Convention Center. The 2024 show, entitled “New Frontiers in Agriculture,” will also feature Mike Massimino in the esteemed General Session speaker lineup. Massimino is a former NASA astronaut, New York Times bestselling author, and Columbia University professor, in addition to media and television personality. Retaining a longstanding crowd-pleaser, the session will again include a panel discussion with leaders of the five associations that present Commodity Classic each year: American Soybean Association,...
Read MoreFeb 15, 2024
NCBA Cattle Con 2024: Strengthening Industry Bonds and Promoting Corn's RoleKey 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...
Read MoreCorn Economy
NCGA's Lead Economist Krista Swanson's reports and articles can be found here.
Ethanol
Corn ethanol is critical for a sustainable, clean energy future.
A Commitment to the Future
For media inquiries contact Bryan Goodman, goodman@ncga.com