National Corn Growers Association

Issue Briefs

Many of the concerns now facing our nation – renewable fuels, global trade and clean water among them – are inextricably tied to U.S. agriculture. Farming and ranching activities affect, and are greatly influenced by, the policies in these areas.

America’s corn growers want to be part of the solutions that will contribute to the economic, agronomic and environmental welfare of the country. As representatives of America’s corn growers, the National Corn Growers Association has created this document to present some of these issues as they affect the nation’s corn producers, and to put forward the actions we recommend.

Global Trade
Increased production and a consistent product make the United States a reliable supplier of corn to the world market. Developing new markets for corn and corn co-products help the agriculture sector lead the nation in economic growth and international competitiveness. The use of the latest technologies both in equipment and seed ensures that the United States will continue to be the largest corn producer and exporter in the world. During the 2010 marketing year, the United States exported...
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Ethanol
Overview As part of a comprehensive domestic energy strategy, corn ethanol helps to diversify America’s fuel supply, reduce our dependence on foreign oil and foster a more vibrant economy. Ethanol has become an essential component of the U.S. motor fuel market. Today, ethanol is blended into more than 90 percent of the nation’s fuel, and is sold virtually from coast to coast and border to border. The U.S. industry supports over 400,000 jobs around the country and contributes $53.6...
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Farm Policy
Managing Risk With a Consolidated Safety Net for Growers Introduction Since the first farm bill in 1938, Congress has provided critical assistance to protect farm income from adverse weather conditions, crop diseases and volatile commodity markets. In light of the pressing need for our federal government to reduce our budget deficits, NCGA supports the effort to get our nation’s budget under control, but in a manner that is equitable and...
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Inland Waterways Transportation
Overview The country’s inland navigation system plays a critical role in the nation’s economy, moving more than a billion tons of domestic commerce valued at more than $300 billion per year. In addition, more than one billion bushels of grain (about 60 percent of all grain exports) move to export markets via the inland waterways each year. Investment in the Upper Mississippi and Illinois Waterways has not kept pace with the needs of the transportation sector. The lock system is...
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Pesticide Permits
Overview In 2008, the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that pesticide users would be required to apply for a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit under the Clean Water Act if the chemical is sprayed over, near or into a body of water. The decision creates unprecedented regulatory requirements and expands the Clean Water Act into an area of agriculture that was previous considered a non-point source activity. For most of the past four decades, water quality...
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