By a vote of 53-44, the U.S. Senate passed a joint “resolution of disapproval” of the EPA Clean Water rule known as ‘Waters of the United States’ (WOTUS). Resolution sponsor Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) says the action would “put an end to” the expanded EPA rule. “Our resolution stops the EPA from continuing to act as an unchecked federal agency …
Ag Groups Welcome Ryan as Speaker
Agricultural organizations are pleased with the election of Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) to succeed Rep. John Boehner (R-OH) as Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. American Farm Bureau Federation president Bob Stallman says they look forward to working with the new speaker. “Speaker Ryan has been a faithful friend of farmers and ranchers in his time in Congress,” said …
DOT Announces Registration of Unmanned Aircraft Systems
The U.S. Department of Transportation announced that recreational users of unmanned aerial systems, or drones, must register their systems with the federal government. A task force will be created to develop recommendations for a registration process for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said, “Registering unmanned aircraft will help build a culture of accountability and responsibility, especially …
RFS Uncertainty Hurting Farm Income
The uncertainties around the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) are threatening farm income and hurting the economic stability of rural economies. A new white paper from the National Farmers Union (NFU) and the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA), using recent USDA data on net cash income for American farmers and ranchers, states that income is expected to decline by 26 percent …
Lots of Reaction to TPP
Seems like everyone has something to say about the Trans Pacific Partnership agreement reached by negotiators meeting in Atlanta for more than five days, even though few details have been released. U.S. Trade Ambassador Michael Froman does say that agriculture is a big winner under the agreement. “Tariffs will either be eliminated or greatly reduced or quotas will be significantly …
Staff Changes at NCGA
The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) has made some staffing realignments to place a renewed emphasis on demand under the newly created Market Development Department. The Market Development team adds two new members from current staff as Max Starbuck and Susan Powers join that department. In his new role, Starbuck will serve as Director of Market Development and focus on …
Corn Growers Thank Boehner for his Leadership
Speaker of the House John Boehner has announced his retirement, effective Oct. 30, 2015. The National Corn Growers Association thanked Boehner for being a friend to agriculture, with NCGA President Chip Bowling saying: “We are grateful for Speaker Boehner’s leadership in so many areas, including service on the House Agriculture Committee, and his work for a more transparent and productive …
NCGA, BASF Team Up for Ag Scholarships
The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) and BASF Corporation are teaming up to hand out ag scholarships. This news release from NCGA says they are now accepting applications for five $1,000 scholarships to be awarded to undergraduate and graduate students pursuing a degree in an agriculture-related field during the 2016-17 school year. “The future of agriculture as an industry depends …
Elliott Steps Down From NCGA Board
National Corn Growers Association First Vice President Rob Elliott of Illinois has decided to step down from the NCGA Corn Board, effective September 30. “My last 15 years as an active ‘corn guy’ have been very rewarding for me,” Elliott said. “I am proud to have been a part of my corn organizations in Illinois and on the national level …
Farmland Brings Ag Lessons to College Students
School’s back in session, and the lessons of agriculture are being brought to some of the nation’s most prestigious universities in the form of the movie Farmland. The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) says the movie, produced with the generous support of the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance, of which the National Corn Growers Association is a founding affiliate, will …