The President of the National Corn Growers Association said recently that Congress and the Administration can support farmers through the ongoing difficult economic circumstances through a combination of market expansion and a bridge assistance program.
"Opening new foreign markets and expanding access to higher ethanol blends year-round are not only NCGA's top priorities, but they are also important to the survival of the nation's corn growers," said Ohio farmer and NCGA President Jed Bower. "Recognizing that market expansion takes time and farmers need help now, corn growers support the development of a bridge program to help navigate this difficult economy."
NCGA has intensified its call for new and improved markets in recent months. Corn grower leaders have urged Congress to pass the Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act of 2025, which would expand year-round nationwide consumer access to fuels with a 15% ethanol blend, also referred to as E15. They have also supported the Trump Administration's efforts to open new trade markets.
A recent economic analysis, released by NCGA, showed if the E15 legislation were to pass, corn use in ethanol could increase by 50% at full implementation, supporting a higher market price for corn and energy stability for Americans.
And the benefits don't stop there.
In a recent interview with Brownfield News, Senator Debra Fischer (R-NE) said passage of the E15 legislation could result in $4-$6 billion in government savings.
As growers finalize their harvest and look to the next crop year, leaders at NCGA are actively discussing additional assistance.
"Farm families across the country want to continue to feed and fuel America," said Bower. "While we may need short-term assistance this year, expanding and creating new markets for our crops will be vital to our long-term survival."
EDITOR’S TAKE:
We have highlighted the E15 struggle for the past couple of years. There is no doubt that developing new markets for corn or any commodity for that matter is always the preferred alternative. From an outsider’s perspective, there should be no reason that year-round E15 hasn’t been approved before now! It would help consumers, farmers and the environment. So, we encourage Congress to do the right thing and pass the legislation necessary to allow E15 nationwide.
In addition, Congress has approved larger expenditures for market promotion programs run by USDA in cooperation with states and commodity check-off programs. That can be helpful, but market development activities typically take time.
The Trump Administration is discussing the authorization of 12 to 15 billion dollars in short-term financial assistance from tariff funds. That would be very helpful as well.
I know we have reported on some of these topics in prior editions of the AIR, but rest assured that the only reason is to keep you better informed about what issues are important to farmers and ranchers. The entire premise of this newsletter is to create awareness and help you use that knowledge to sell more trucks. Demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of what’s important to farmers/ranchers in your area by creating posts on your website, such as an ag related blog or podcast. Attending the local farm or commodity organization meetings would help raise your stature in the ag community.
