In The News

Apr 8, 2024

Author: Krista Swanson

Motor gasoline use is expected to decline in the future even under a baseline case, but new tailpipe emissions rules really put the pedal to the metal – rapidly accelerating that process. This would be a major shock on demand for corn used to produce ethanol spurring potentially devastating impacts on farmers and the rural economy.       The New Tailpipe Emissions Rule The Environmental Protection Agency recently released its final rule for multi-pollutant emissions standards for model years 2027 and later light-duty and medium-duty vehicles with heavy reliance on the use of electric vehicles. The ruling dictates that sales of non-electric vehicles will drop from over 92% of new vehicle sales in 2023[i] to under 30% of new vehicle sales in 2032. In the EPA central scenario, that translates to a 6.9-billion-gallon reduction in motor gasoline use in 2032, a 5.7% decline from the baseline projection for that year. Motor gasoline use is expected to decline in the baseline, but...

Feb 16, 2024

Key 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...

Feb 9, 2024

Key Issues: Trade

Author: Krista Swanson

A combination of climate, conflict, and currency values are factors in cost competitiveness that impacts transits and overall U.S. corn exports.   Climate Climate conditions brought widespread drought to the United States Corn Belt in 2023. Dry conditions in the Mississippi River basin led to record low water levels. As a result, barge weight and traffic restrictions were imposed, and the 7.7 million tons of corn moved by barge on the Mississippi River in 2023 was 30% lower than 2022 and 54% lower than 2021. Ultimately, the cost of added time and weight restrictions were factors contributing to a higher corn price at port but also meant pace of getting grain to the port was slowed.   Climate-induced waterway challenges for U.S. corn don’t end at the Gulf. Extreme drought has forced substantial scaleback of shipping through the Panama Canal, a key global maritime channel. The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) has reduced traffic to 24 ships a day, about two-thirds of the normal...

Dec 4, 2023

Author: Gaylen Holloway

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) urges all National Corn Yield Contest participants to enter their harvest results by 4 p.m. CT tomorrow, December 5.   Participants must submit a harvest entry to be included in the Winners Announcement, which will take place on Wednesday, December 13.   Don’t miss the opportunity to make history and be a part of something larger than your operation.   Submit your harvest entry at ncga.com/ncyc and contact the NCYC team at ncyc@ncga.com with any questions.

Dec 1, 2023

Key Issues: TradeTransportation and Infrastructure

Author: Krista Swanson

For the second year in a row, drought conditions are impacting transportation on the Mississippi River at the peak shipment point of the year. Shallower river levels mean barge weight restrictions, slower barge traffic, and higher costs to ship commodities on the river. Ultimately, this translates to a relatively lower price at the farmgate and higher cost for the world buyer.   Drought Slows Grain Barge Traffic in 2022 and 2023 The Mississippi River is an important channel for commodity transportation. The USDA reports the final mode of transport was barge for 13% of U.S. grains in 2020, and 46% of exported U.S. grains[i]. There are normally two peaks in grain barge movements, one in late summer leading up to the end of the marketing year for corn and soybeans, and the other emerging in the fall harvest season and into the post-harvest months.   The impact of low water levels on grain barge movements was notable in 2023, marking the second consecutive year of drought...

Nov 28, 2023

Author: Gaylen Holloway

The National Corn Yield Contest Harvest Entry deadline has been extended to Tuesday, December 5.   After considering the unique challenges that growers across the country have faced during the 2023 harvest season, the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) has extended the deadline from Thursday, November 30 to Tuesday, December 5.   Contest participants can submit a harvest entry from now until 4 p.m. CT on Tuesday, December 5 at ncga.com/ncyc. Participants must submit their harvest results to be included in the 2023 rankings.    The 2023 NCYC Winner’s Announcement will still take place on Wednesday, December 13.   Please direct any questions on the deadline extension to ncyc@ncga.com or 636-733-5512.

Nov 21, 2023

Author: Gaylen Holloway

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) and BASF have partnered for another year to provide scholarships to undergraduate students passionate about agriculture. Over the past sixteen years, more than 80 undergraduate students have received scholarship funds to aid them in their pursuit of higher education.   “BASF has been a long-standing partner in support of this program, and we are grateful for their commitment to building up the next generation of leaders in our industry,” said Dan Nerud, chair of NCGA’s Member and Consumer Engagement Action Team. “Our grower members are passionate about this program, and we are excited for another year of supporting students who share our passion for agriculture.”   The William C. Berg Academic Excellence Undergraduate Scholarship is open to NCGA members and their children pursuing an undergraduate degree in any field. Interested members and students can find more information about this program and the other national scholarship...

Nov 17, 2023

Author: Gaylen Holloway

The National Corn Growers Association reminds all corn growers who entered the 2023 National Corn Yield Contest (NCYC) to submit their harvest results by Thursday, November 30. Participants must submit their harvest results to be included in the 2023 rankings.    Don't miss the opportunity to contribute your agronomic data to this 59-year-old contest and be recognized at Commodity Classic in Houston, Texas.    Participants can submit their 2023 harvest results at ncga.com/ncyc.   Please contact NCYC at ncyc@ncga.com with any questions.

Oct 30, 2023

Author: Gaylen Holloway

The National Corn Growers Association calls corn growers nationwide to submit their harvest results for the 2023 National Corn Yield Contest (NCYC). The deadline for harvest results is approaching quickly, so farmers are urged to submit their entries as soon as possible to ensure that all requirements have been met.    The National Corn Yield Contest is a long-standing tradition in the corn industry, and each year, corn growers across the country achieve incredible results. Don’t miss your opportunity to contribute your agronomic data and compete with fellow corn growers.    To be included in the 2023 rankings, harvest results must be submitted by Thursday, November 30.  Participants can submit their 2023 harvest results at ncga.com/ncyc. Please contact NCYC at ncyc@ncga.com with any questions.

Oct 25, 2023

Author: Gaylen Holloway

The National Corn Growers Association is thrilled to announce the launch of its annual scholarship program for the 2024 academic year. This program is designed to support students who are passionate about agriculture and making a positive impact in their community.   NCGA will award scholarships to deserving students who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership and community involvement. The scholarships are open to students attending technical school, undergraduate universities, and pursuing graduate-level studies.   "We believe that education is critical in shaping the future of the agriculture industry, and we are committed to providing opportunities for students to achieve their academic and career goals," said Membership & Consumer Engagement Action Team Chair Dan Nerud. "This scholarship program is just one way we are fulfilling this commitment."   To apply for the scholarship, students must complete an online application. Submissions are now being accepted, and the...