Editorials

Oct 2, 2023

Author: Brooke S. Appleton

This month, Minnesota farmer Harold Wolle assumed the role of president of the National Corn Growers Association. Harold brings years of leadership and advocacy experience to the role, having served as the president of the Minnesota Corn Growers Association and as a member of the NCGA Corn Board for the last six years. NCGA board presidents are elected by their fellow board members each year to serve a one-year term.   Because I wanted readers to know more about the person who is taking the reins as the leader of one of the nation’s major commodity organizations, I decided to dedicate this month’s column to an interview with Harold.   Questions for NCGA President Harold Wolle   Q: Tell us about your farm operation. Harold: I am from a 140-year-old family corn and soybean farm in south central Minnesota that was started by my forefathers who were German immigrants. As a fifth-generation farmer, I am pleased to say I am in the process of passing the operations of the farm to...

Sep 26, 2023

Key Issues: Trade

Author: Tom Haag

In a few short days, my year as President of the National Corn Growers Association  (NCGA) will come to an end. Those 365 days sure went by quickly.   As I look forward to transitioning the leadership of this organization to another great Minnesotan, Harold Wolle, I find myself reflecting on what we’ve accomplished as an organization in the last year.   There have been many fun and special moments along the way: I’ve met with Secretary Vilsack a number of times, had many conversations with Senators and Representatives, testified in Congressional hearings, and discussed important issues facing our industry with any number of individuals who care about the future of corn and agriculture. It’s been an incredibly special experience, and I’m humbled to have had the opportunity.   But, I am most proud of how NCGA and our state partners made a difference when our trading relationship with our biggest export market was threatened. After Mexico issued a decree banning future imports...

Sep 15, 2023

Author: Brooke S. Appleton

Fall is quickly arriving in the nation’s capital and with it comes the sense that Congress has much to accomplish in a very short period with potential roadblocks along the way. Perhaps the most serious potential impediment is a looming government shutdown as Congress approaches the September 30 deadline to fund the federal government.   Over the last decade, we’ve gotten all too familiar with the ramifications far and wide that a government shutdown brings. Almost the entire federal government, including the legislative branch, comes to a complete stop. There will be politicians on both sides of the aisle trying to deflect blame, and there will be voters across the country trying to assign blame. In the event of a government shutdown, staff who might be deemed “essential” and able to continue to do their jobs are technically prohibited from working on any legislation unrelated to funding the government. It goes without saying that such a scenario could hamper progress on key...

Aug 31, 2023

Key Issues: Ethanol

Author: National Corn Growers Association

America’s clean energy future is within reach, but to get there, we must reduce emissions from the transportation sector—the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. Fortunately, a solution already exists at gas stations throughout the country.   Ethanol, produced from corn grown on family farms throughout the heartland, is a low-cost, low-carbon fuel, often labeled at the pump as E15 or UNL88—a 15 percent ethanol blend—or E85—an 85 percent ethanol blend.   Ethanol is a critical solution for meeting the nation's energy, economic and environmental needs. In fact, this biofuel already results in up to 52% fewer greenhouse gas emissions than regular gasoline, saves drivers at least 25 cents per gallon and adds nearly 15 billion gallons to our nation’s gasoline supply each year.   In April, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a vehicle emissions standards proposal that calls for the increased production and transition to electric vehicles (EVs),...

Jun 13, 2023

Author: Brook S. Appleton

Corrected from June 12, 2023: we mistakenly listed former Senator Heidi Heitkamp as having represented Nebraska in the Senate when, in fact, she represented North Dakota. We regret the error.   I am happy to be back writing Ears in Washington after spending the last several months away on maternity leave. While I’ve missed the office, the team and policy work, I was thankful to have the time at home with our newest son Henry and his big brother Daniel. But over the last several months I had a lot of time to reflect on many things, and I realized I can use some of the same skills I have developed as an advocate to navigate the challenges that come with parenting. In fact, there are a lot of similarities between my two professions: mothering and lobbying. Not just Me, We In both cases, success depends on building wide support and sometimes joining forces with unlikely allies. Former Senator Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.), speaking last summer at Corn Congress, gave some great advice on...

May 22, 2023

Key Issues: Ethanol

Author: Neil Caskey

Published by Washington Examiner on May 19, 2023   Thank you to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for working with the Department of Energy, Department of Agriculture and supportive members of Congress to prevent a disruption in the sale of E15 fuel through the coming months.   Last year, the EPA took the same action, saving drivers throughout the country anywhere from 23 cents to nearly one dollar per gallon. The EPA’s work to expand access to E15 not only lowers prices at the pump, it also helps increase fuel supply, reduce harmful emissions and strengthen our country’s clean energy future.   Neil Caskey, NCGA CEO, discusses in the Washington Examiner how to make this a permanent solution.   With the summer driving season around the corner, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has once again used its existing authority to prevent consumers from losing access to a lower-cost and lower-emission fuel choice. At a time when gas prices and demand rise, maintaining...

May 16, 2023

Key Issues: Ethanol

Author: National Corn Growers Association

Temperatures aren’t the only thing rising as Americans look forward to summer vacation – gas prices are higher due to the increased amount of drivers on the road, along with OPEC’s recent decision to cut oil production by more than three million barrels per day. Thankfully, a growing number of retailers are offering consumers an affordable, sustainable fuel solution.   E15 – often marketed as Unleaded 88 – saves consumers money at the pump, all while increasing our country’s fuel supply and reducing greenhouse gas and tailpipe emissions.   What is E15? Produced from corn, ethanol is a renewable biofuel used to make E15 – a fuel blend made up of 15 percent ethanol and 85 percent gasoline. E15 is approved for use in any 2001 and newer vehicle accounting for more than 96 percent of vehicles on the road. A comparison of pump prices from more than 550 retail stations during the past year shows drivers saved at least 25 cents per gallon with E15, and many retailers offer E15 at an...

May 10, 2023

Key Issues: Farm Bill

Author: Tom Haag

Spring is proving to be a busy time between corn planting and grower leaders taking full advantage of every opportunity to talk about our priorities for the farm bill.   The farm bill, which governs many of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s agricultural and food programs, is set to expire at the end of September 2023, providing policymakers with an opportunity to review and update existing programs.   NCGA, corn state associations, and grower members are working closely with policymakers to ensure the bill addresses the current and future needs of corn growers. Farm Bill Priorities When I was recently invited to testify about producer perspectives on the farm bill, I was happy to fly to Washington, D.C., and speak before the House Agriculture General Farm Commodities, Risk Management, and Credit Subcommittee. Less than a week later, NCGA’s First Vice President Harold Wolle also shared corn grower views on the farm safety net as he testified in front of the Senate...

Apr 4, 2023

Key Issues: EthanolHigh-Octane Low-Carbon

Author: Kathy Reding Bergren

Last month was marked by momentum from both the new Congress and our NCGA team. The reintroduction of bills that advance ethanol as an energy, climate and economic solution and our ongoing congressional education campaigns continue to keep NCGA an active voice when it comes to promoting renewable fuels. We are advancing our ethanol policy priorities, but there is much more to be done. Here is the latest on our efforts and what is to come for NCGA.   Next Generation Fuels Act Reintroduction. Recently, the U.S. Senate and House reintroduced legislation that has been a top advocacy priority for NCGA and state corn grower associations – the Next Generation Fuels Act. This bipartisan bill would establish a clean, high-octane standard for fuel to enable automakers to deploy advanced engines that improve vehicle fuel efficiency and cut emissions, taking advantage of higher ethanol blends. Our message to Congress is that the Next Generation Fuels Act will lower fuel prices, reduce...