The National Corn Growers Association is making it clear that free trade with Mexico is a top priority for its members. NCGA First Vice President Lynn Chrisp said Mexico buys $2.5 billion worth of corn from U.S. farmers each year, making it the number one export market for that product.
NCGA is one of 168 companies and trade associations from across America’s food and agriculture sector signing a letter delivered to all 50 state governors, state agriculture commissioners and each state’s leader of economic development this week encouraging NAFTA negotiations to continue without withdrawal.
“When this administration said they were going to renegotiate NAFTA, that’s an understandable situation because NAFTA is much more than agriculture. But, from an agriculture standpoint – corn in particular – NAFTA and our trading relationship with Mexico has been really, really good. We’re not listening to a situation that is going to downgrade our trading relationship there,” said Chrisp.
Chrisp said the organization is also gearing up for farm bill discussions that are on the horizon. While corn growers are interested in every title of the bill, he cited crop insurance as the most important piece, especially when it comes to young farmers returning to the farm. Chrisp harvested a better than expected crop in 2017 on his own Nebraska farm.
Listen to Chuck’s interview with Lynn Chrisp here: Interview with Lynn Chrisp, NCGA
