In The News

Jul 15, 2024

Key Issues: Trade

Author: Bryan Goodman

The National Corn Growers Association, joined by five other commodity groups, sent a letter to Department of Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo asking her to consider the impacts on farmers as she reviews a petition by the agricultural chemical company Corteva that would place duties on imports of the herbicide 2,4-D. “Restricting imports of 2,4-D will have wide-ranging consequences for farmers,” the letter said. “American farmers cannot solely rely on Corteva, which is the only domestic supplier of 2,4-D, because there is not enough supply to meet demand.”   The letter also said that, if granted, the petition would cause availability shortages and hamper the ability of growers to be successful. “Restricting the availability of 2,4-D will be very harmful at a time when farmers are grappling with rising input costs and low commodity prices,” the letter said.   The U.S. Department of Agriculture projects total farm production cash expenses for 2024 at a record-high level....

Jul 11, 2024

Author: Shelby Basham

Corn growers were responsible for a $151 billion boost to the U.S. economy in 2023, according to a new report released this week by the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA).   The report, entitled NCGA Economic Contribution Study for 2023, looked at a number of ways in which corn growers shaped the economy, including  economic output, contributions to the gross domestic product, tax revenues, labor income and employment statistics.   “This report highlights the crucial role America’s corn growers play in our nation’s agricultural and economic value chain,” said NCGA Lead Economist Krista Swanson who authored the analysis. "The data show that growers remain deeply rooted in rural America where they serve as pillars of economic growth. They work to foster technological innovation, expand commercial opportunities, advance free trade, build the bioeconomy, and feed a hungry world.”   In 2023 U.S. corn farmers produced 15.3 billion bushels of corn, valued at $73.9 billion, across...

Jul 3, 2024

Author: Maddie Weber

National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) hosted the fourth annual Women and Mentors Retreat in St. Louis, Missouri, on June 27 and 28.   The program offers a network for women and their male allies, providing mentorships and creating a pipeline of female leaders for NCGA and other agricultural organizations.   Participants at the most recent event noted that they were able to grow their leadership, communication, and professional skills while networking with others who are invested in elevating women’s voices in agricultural leadership. “The Women & Mentors Program has inspired me to continue growing as a leader while supporting new and emerging leaders,” said Joan Ruskamp, a participant from Nebraska. “Most importantly, this retreat builds a growing network of women supporting one another no matter what role each of us has in agriculture.”   Participants were encouraged to “Quiet their Inner Critic” during the first session with helpful tips from Randi Braun, an author,...

Jun 28, 2024

Key Issues: TradeBiotechnology

Author: Bryan Goodman

Officials from the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative hammered arguments made by Mexican representatives this week during oral arguments over Mexico’s ban on imports of genetically modified corn used in some food products. The ban was issued in early 2023. USTR filed a dispute settlement under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement over the issue in August of that year after the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) and state corn groups spent months pushing for action. “The science overwhelmingly shows that genetically modified corn is safe for consumers and does not harm native plants,” said Minnesota farmer and NCGA President Harold Wolle. “U.S. officials did an excellent job of making their case, and more importantly they successfully argued that the Mexican government does not have the scientific evidence to support its actions or claims.” During the hearing, which was held on Wednesday and Thursday in Mexico City, U.S. officials made several convincing arguments,...

Jun 26, 2024

Key Issues: Ethanol

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) and the Texas Corn Producers Association (TCPA), along with other groups, filed a lawsuit today in the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals challenging the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Corporate Average Fuel Economy standard for model year 2027-2032 passenger cars and light-duty trucks.   The CAFE rule mandates stringent new standards that appear designed to phase out liquid fuel-powered vehicles. Today’s filing follows two recent lawsuits led by NCGA, the American Farm Bureau Federation, the American Petroleum Institute and auto dealerships challenging the EPA’s light-duty and heavy-duty vehicle rulemakings.   “Once again, we have a federal agency trying to force a one-size-fits-all solution on the American consumer through the final NHTSA CAFE rule and fuel efficiency standard, which favors electric vehicles,” said Minnesota farmer and National Corn Growers Association President Harold Wolle. “Because ethanol effectively...

Jun 18, 2024

Key Issues: Ethanol

Author: Laura Wolf

The National Corn Growers Association, American Farm Bureau Federation and the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association joined the American Petroleum Institute today in filing a lawsuit in the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals challenging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s heavy-duty vehicle emissions standards for model years 2027-2032.   The groups said EPA exceeded its congressional authority with the regulation with targets that rely too heavily on electrification and do not fully appreciate the role low-carbon fuels like ethanol play in the transportation sector.   “EPA has tried to impose a one-size-fits-all approach to addressing climate change by prioritizing electric vehicles over other climate remedies like corn ethanol,” said Minnesota farmer and National Corn Growers Association President Harold Wolle. “But while it could take decades to get enough electric vehicles on the road to make a dent in GHG emissions, lower carbon fuels such as ethanol are...

Jun 13, 2024

Author: Bryan Goodman

The National Corn Growers Association’s (NCGA) Corn Board has elected Jed Bower, of Washington Court House, Ohio, as the organization's next first vice president for the new fiscal year, which begins October 1, 2024.     “It is an honor to be elected to this role by my fellow board members,” Bower said. “With a new strategic plan in place, this is an exciting time to serve in a leadership role on the board. I look forward to working with my fellow board members, in partnership with grower leaders and staff from across our national and state partner organizations, to lead NCGA toward a future that I am confident will best serve U.S. corn growers”   Bower raises corn and soybeans with his wife Emily and children Ethan and Emma on their fifth-generation family farm. Bower is a current NCGA board member, who serves as board liaison to the organization’s Stewardship Action Team, Field to Market and the National Coalition for Food and Agriculture research. He also serves on the...

Jun 13, 2024

Key Issues: Ethanol

Author: Bryan Goodman

The National Corn Growers Association, American Farm Bureau Federation and six auto dealers representing 16 brands and collectively operating dozens of dealerships in major markets across the country joined the American Petroleum Institute today in filing a lawsuit in the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals challenging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s light-duty and medium-duty vehicle emissions standards for model years 2027-2032. The groups said EPA exceeded its congressional authority with the regulation and rendered a decision that values one tool for fighting climate change over others.    “By approving tailpipe standards that focus exclusively on electric vehicles, EPA has ignored the proven benefits corn ethanol offers in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and combatting climate change,” Minnesota farmer and National Corn Growers Association President Harold Wolle said. “While it could take decades to get enough electric vehicles on the road to significantly lower GHG...

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.),...