Ag Groups Urge Congress to Boost Corn Demand After Record Harvest Forecast

On Tuesday, the USDA predicted U.S. farmers will produce a record 16.7 billion bushels of corn this fall. 

The World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) and Crop Production reports released by USDA on Tuesday were a shock to the ag industry, and several groups jumped at the opportunity to call on Congress and the Trump administration to take steps to increase demand for the U.S. corn crop.

Here’s what they had to say. 

National Corn Growers Association

Founded in 1957, the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) represents more than 36,000 dues-paying corn growers in 48 states, and the interests of more than 300,000 farmers who contribute through corn checkoff programs in their state.

In a statement on Tuesday after the report’s release, NCGA doubled down on its call for action from Congress and the administration, saying the corn crop projection threatens “the livelihood of farmers already facing record-low corn prices.”

“Corn growers are already marketing their corn for extremely low corn prices, and this massive projected corn supply without market-based solutions to increasing corn demand is already causing corn prices to fall further,” said Illinois farmer and NCGA President Kenneth Hartman Jr. 

He continued: “Because we need markets fast for this supply, we are redoubling and intensifying our call for Congress to pass pending E15 legislation that will allow for year-round consumer access to higher blends of ethanol and for the Trump administration to quickly broker deals that will open new foreign markets for corn.”

“My family survived the 1980s farm crisis,” Hartman said. “I don’t want my daughter to be talking about the 2020’s farm crisis in 40 years. The situation is dire, and new market demand is the only way we are going to dig out of this.”

Renewable Fuels Association

Since 1981, the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) has been the leading trade association for America’s ethanol industry.

RFA issued a statement after the report on Tuesday, stating it “clearly highlights the urgent need to remove artificial regulatory barriers that are undercutting demand and constraining market opportunities for both corn and ethanol.”

“Alarm bells are ringing across rural America following today’s USDA report, and they should be ringing in the halls of Congress,” said RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper, noting that this year’s crop is forecast to be nearly 2 billion bushels larger than last year’s crop. 

“Our nation’s farmers are doing their job — they are sustainably and efficiently producing the largest corn crop in history. But antiquated policies and regulations — like the summertime prohibition on E15, outdated pump labeling obligations, and needless equipment certification requirements — are stifling demand and failing America’s farmers.”

“The best way to boost demand for U.S. crops is to truly unleash American ethanol and open the market to higher blends,” Cooper continued. “Over the long-term, year-round availability of E15 nationwide presents a new demand opportunity for more than 2 billion bushels of corn and sorghum. Opening the door to that opportunity now would provide a badly needed shot in the arm for farming communities across the Heartland, while also helping consumers save an additional 10–30 cents per gallon at the pump.”

RFA outlined specific policy and deregulatory actions in its statement, with Cooper adding, “Congress and the administration can take these simple steps to strengthen America’s agriculture sector and stave off an impending crisis in farm country. We urge our nation’s leaders to act quickly to open new market opportunities for America’s farmers by removing barriers to increased ethanol consumption.”

Growth Energy

As the nation’s largest biofuel trade association, Growth Energy is the leading voice of America’s biofuel industry. Members of the association operate and support biomanufacturing facilities at the heart of America’s bioeconomy, delivering a new generation of plant-based energy and climate solutions.

Growth Energy released a statement Wednesday, also calling for year-round E15 in light of the WASDE report.

“The latest WASDE report showing a record corn crop proves that we need year-round E15 right now,” said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. “E15 is a powerful economic engine that creates jobs, drives farm income, and saves consumers money. It does all this because it provides a market for the nation’s corn, which producers buy and process into ethanol before it’s blended into E15.” 

“The more restrictions we can remove on this more affordable fuel option, the more accessible it’ll be for consumers and the more farmers will be able to rely on this market to sell their corn surplus,” Skor said. “Congress must act now to allow the year-round sale of E15 and simplify labeling requirements to make it easier for retailers to offer this fuel choice.”

Editor’s note: Some of the previous statements have been edited and/or condensed by Successful Farming for style and clarity.