The House Agriculture Committee convened a hearing Tuesday to hear from farmers and rural lenders about the state of financial conditions in farm country. Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA) painted a depressing picture in his opening remarks. “Declining prices and cash receipts, escalating natural disasters, and increasing input costs have created a perfect storm that will compromise the foundation of …
Farmers, Car Dealers and Oil Companies Sue Over EV Push
An unlikely coalition of farmers, car dealers, and the oil industry have joined together to push back against the push for mandated electric vehicles. 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 …
Commodity #Classic24 Was a Record Breaker
The 2024 Commodity Classic blasted off into a new galaxy last week in Houston with the largest attendance ever at 11,500 attendees, smashing the previous record of 10,400 last year in Orlando. There were more than 4,600 farmers at the February 28-March 2 event this year along with exhibitors, industry stakeholders, and ag media. This year’s event featured more than …
Minnesota Farmer Takes Over as NCGA President
Minnesota farmer Harold Wolle, takes over as president of the National Corn Growers Association this week with a theme of “shaping the future.” During a press conference today, Wolle talked about his goals over the next year, saying reauthorizing a farm bill that reflects the priorities of corn growers will be a pressing concern. “My most immediate objective is to …
EPA Puts More Woe in WOTUS
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of the Army managed to yet further muddy the Waters of the United States (WOTUS) this week by announcing a final rule amending the 2023 definition of “waters of the United States” to conform with the recent Supreme Court decision in Sackett v. EPA. The agencies are committed to following the …
Farm Groups Join Push for Summer E15
Farm organizations joined ethanol groups in a letter calling on President Biden to get ahead of rising fuel costs by authorizing sales of E15 this summer. National Corn Growers Association, National Sorghum Producers, American Farm Bureau Federation and National Farmers Union signed the letter, along with the Renewable Fuels Association and Growth Energy, noting that current conditions are similar to …
Neil Caskey Named National Corn Growers CEO
The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) has promoted from within again in selecting a new chief executive officer and chosen Neil Caskey to fill the position vacated when Jon Doggett retired at the end of 2022. Caskey will steps into the role on Monday, February 27, just in time for the annual Commodity Classic next month. Caskey has served as …
#ASTACSS Looks at Political Lay of the Land
The closing panel before the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) CSS & Seed Expo 2022 bid farewell to Chicago last week took a look at the political lay of the land with some industry experts offering insights into what the midterm elections mean for agriculture and the impacts of the new Farm Bill. The panel was moderated by ASTA Senior …
Mexican Ban on Biotech Corn Would Have Broad Impact
A coalition of food and agriculture industry stakeholders in both Mexico and the United States released a new study this week revealing the broad impacts of Mexico’s proposed ban on biotech corn. The report, which was conducted in September 2022 by World Perspectives Inc., reveals that the proposed restrictions would adversely impact food security in North America and raise consumer …
Meet New NCGA President Tom Haag
Minnesota farmer Tom Haag is the new president of the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA), starting his term on October 1. Haag farms corn and soybeans in Eden Valley with his son Nathan and has been farming for over 40 years. He has has served on the Minnesota Corn Growers Association board since 2010 and on the NCGA board since …