In The News

Jul 31, 2023

Author: Stacey Stiens

Here at the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA), we know that champions are forged not just in the wins, but also in the legacy they leave with the land. The National Corn Yield Contest (NCYC) is a legacy like no other and there is still time to enter your name in the contest’s fifty-ninth year.   And your NCYC entry—your contribution to the contest—is what makes the difference. By adapting new practices, adopting new technologies and pushing for that next personal benchmark to do-more-with-less, America’s corn farmers are paving a path forward to help feed and fuel a growing world. The contest isn’t just about forging yield-busting champions, but also about creating a strong network of corn growers who have the knowledge, experience and grit to preserve each season no matter what challenges it may bring. It’s this network that commits each year to give their all and strives to set a new personal best so that future generations can carry the legacy onward and...

Jul 27, 2023

Author: Hanna Roebke

Every summer, Nebraska Corn Growers Association/Nebraska Corn Board sponsors two interns to work at the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) offices in Washington, D.C. and St. Louis. This year, the two interns selected were Lexi Bodlak and Hannah Roebke. With just two weeks left before their internships end, and on this National Intern Day, they share reflections on their time with NCGA.   “I am grateful for the opportunity to jump start my career in agricultural policy in the private sector with the National Corn Growers Association. Nebraska Corn Board staff saw something in me that I’m still not sure I see in myself, but I’m working on finding it. As I embrace the grey areas and major question marks with my next internship, I will tell my own story with just as much confidence as I do the agriculturists and professionals that I was fortunate enough to meet this summer,” said Bodlak.  “I know you must be at least 25 years old to be a member of Congress, so that percentage...

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 25, 2023

Author: Bryan Goodman

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) awarded three of its members with its inaugural “Corn Advocate of the Year” award at this year’s Corn Congress, held in Washington, D.C. Recipients include Andy Jobman of Gothenburg, Neb.; Matt Mulch of Burlington, Colo.; and Jolene Riessen of Ida Grove, Iowa.   “Advocacy continues to move the ball down the field for us and its importance to this organization and our policy priorities can’t be overstated,” said NCGA President Tom Haag. “In 2023 alone, it helped us move the United States Trade Representative to issue a dispute settlement under USMCA against Mexico’s decree banning biotech corn; it helped us secure E15 through the summer driving months; and it helped us keep e-RINS out of the RFS volume proposal for 2023-2025.”    NCGA members are chosen for the honor based on several factors, including their participation rate in calls-to-action, their involvement in NCGA leadership development opportunities, membership in the...

Jul 24, 2023

Author: Cathryn Wojcicki

Delegates attending the National Corn Growers Association’s (NCGA) Corn Congress, which was held July 20 in Washington D.C., elected four farmers to serve on the organization’s Corn Board.  Taking office on Oct. 1, the start of NCGA’s 2024 fiscal year, are new board members Troy Schneider of Colorado, Kelly Nieuwenhuis of Iowa and Bill Leigh of Illinois. Current board member Jed Bower of Ohio was re-elected. All four candidates were elected to three-year terms.   “This year’s Corn Board candidates brought impressive records of service to their fellow farmers,” said NCGA Nominating Committee Chairman Chris Edgington. “Their willingness to share their time and talent serves as a testament to the importance of the work we do. I look forward to watching how the insights, ideas, experiences and perspectives each brings helps guide NCGA’s work to build a bright future for corn farmers across the country.”   The NCGA Corn Board represents the organization on all matters while...

Jul 20, 2023

Key Issues: Ethanol

Author: Bryan Goodman

Rep. Angie Craig (D-Minn.) was honored with the National Corn Growers Association’s 2023 President’s Award today during the organization’s annual Corn Congress summer meeting in Washington, D.C.   Craig was recognized by Tom Haag, NCGA’s president and a Minn. corn grower, who had high praise for the congresswoman.   “Whether it is ensuring that consumers have access to higher levels of ethanol or it’s working to advance corn grower priorities in the farm bill, Rep. Craig has been a tireless advocate for growers and is one of our biggest congressional allies,” Haag said. “She makes me proud to say I am from Minn., and it’s an absolute honor to present her with the President’s Award.”   As she accepted the award, Craig reflected on her work on behalf of corn growers.   “Minnesota’s Second District is home to so many of the corn growers who get food on our tables and fuel in our vehicles – it is my honor to represent them in Congress and on the House Agriculture Committee,” said...

Jul 12, 2023

Key Issues: Trade

Author: Bryan Goodman

While Brazil is positioned to surpass the U.S. in corn exports this year, the data don’t indicate the trend leading to this development will necessarily continue, as the South American country faces many challenges when it comes to agriculture and trade, a national ag economist said today. “U.S. exports have been hindered by droughts that have affected key areas of the Corn Belt,” NCGA Lead Economist Krista Swanson said. “But the U.S. has several relative advantages in the global corn market that can be harnessed to support our $90 billion corn industry.” The U.S. is bolstered by far superior infrastructure and sustainable farming practices, Swanson noted. For example, she said Brazil is 86.6% of the size of the entire United States but has just 25% of the roadway miles found in this country, of which only 12.4% are paved. Nearly 70% of roadway miles are paved in the U.S. The comments were made during a joint press conference hosted by the National Corn Growers Association and...

Jul 11, 2023

Key Issues: EthanolHigh-Octane Low-Carbon

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) today joined over 90 other trade groups representing diverse businesses across the transportation sector in urging the Biden administration to reverse course on its proposed tailpipe emissions standards for light, medium and heavy-duty vehicles.   In a letter to President Biden, the organizations outlined significant concerns with the EPA’s proposed rules and the need to preserve consumers’ access to affordable, reliable and efficient transportation.   “We share the goal of reduced greenhouse gas emissions across the broader economy and, specifically, those from energy production, transportation, and use by society,” the letter states. “EPA’s proposals inhibit the marketplace from identifying the most efficient, lowest cost opportunities to reduce GHG emissions from vehicles and greatly restrict consumer choice. We are concerned that such a prescriptive policy is not in the best interest of the consumer or of U.S. energy and economic...

Jul 11, 2023

Key Issues: Trade

Author: Bryan Goodman

Nancy Martinez, a seasoned Capitol Hill professional with extensive policy experience, has joined the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) as director of public policy for trade.    NCGA leaders say Martinez will bring great value to the organization. “We are thrilled to have someone of Nancy’s caliber join our team,” said Brooke S. Appleton, NCGA’s vice president of public policy. “Her experience and carefully cultivated relationships with key members of the House and Senate will be crucially important to advancing the trade priorities of the nation’s corn growers.”   Martinez comes to NCGA from the office of Sen. Todd Young (R-Ind.), where she spent six years handling trade, agriculture, education, labor and pension issues. Trade is a marquee issue for Young who serves on the Senate Finance Committee.   Martinez started her career working for Young when he was a House member. She has also served as an advisor on health and education policy for Sen. Dan Coats...

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...

Jul 5, 2023

Key Issues: Ethanol

Author: Bryan Goodman

The National Corn Growers Association submitted comments today to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency calling on the agency to focus on opening pathways for all low carbon fuels and technologies as it finalizes its proposed multi-pollutant emission standards for model year 2027 through 2032 for light and medium duty vehicles. “For automakers to use new technologies and enhanced engines to meet stringent standards, they need updated fuel that enables new vehicles and fuels to work as a system to enhance greenhouse gas and other tailpipe emissions reductions,” said NCGA President Tom Haag. “Higher ethanol blends used with advanced engines optimized for higher octane would provide a much-needed pathway for low-carbon, low-emission fuels.”   The EPA’s proposed multi-pollutant emissions standards has caused deep concerns for corn growers. The rule, as proposed, picks winners and losers in the energy sector and places ethanol on the losing side. NCGA launched a call-to-action on...

Jul 5, 2023

Key Issues: Ethanol

America’s farmers, fuel marketers and retailers, and renewable fuel producers today called on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to adopt a market-oriented, technology-neutral approach to transportation decarbonization in its upcoming final tailpipe emissions standards for 2027-2032 light- and medium-duty vehicles.   In a letter to EPA Administrator Michael Regan, seven national associations representing the full spectrum of the renewable fuel supply chain, said the proposed rule favors electric vehicles while failing to consider the decarbonization potential of existing biofuels that can improve the emissions profile of the vast majority of cars on the road today. The organizations recommend that EPA account for all emissions relating to different fuel and engine technologies and equitably incentivize emissions reductions from all of those technologies.   “EPA should use the best available science to accurately account for the full lifecycle carbon intensity associated...

Jul 3, 2023

Key Issues: Ethanol

Author: Angel Green

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) is urging farmers to submit comments to the Environmental Protection Agency regarding a new proposal on multi-pollutant emissions standards.   The call-to-action was launched after EPA first announced the proposal in April. The comment period deadline closes on July 5.The new standards would effectively force automakers to produce electric vehicles at an increasingly rapid rate to comply with the stringent proposed rule.   NCGA leaders believe with this one-size-fits-all approach, EPA ignores other low-carbon solutions, like ethanol. If left unchanged, this rulemaking has the potential to remove hundreds of millions of bushels of domestic corn demand from the market each year.   NCGA encourages all members and advocates to let EPA know that ethanol is a low-carbon solution to emissions reduction that is readily available.   Take Action.