Iowa Corn leaders will be traveling to San Antonio next week for the 2017 Commodity Classic. This delegation consists of both Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA) and Iowa Corn Promotion Board (ICPB) directors as well as:
Iowa Corn farmer voting delegates and alternates
Iowa Corn Collegiate Advisory Team (CAT) representing future leaders in agriculture
Premier County Achievement grassroots leaders
The primary objective for ICGA at Classic is working to develop policies that the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) will promote to benefit corn farmers around the country. Four resolutions previously developed and approved by ICGA grassroots members will be brought forward for consideration during the NCGA Corn Congress debate. ICGA will be presenting resolutions on the following issues:
Supporting the use of high compression engines, using low carbon, high octane renewable fuels to meet the CAFÉ standards
Supporting consistent ethanol branding with the ‘American Ethanol’ label
Providing farmers access to the information and tools necessary to upkeep and repair their farm equipment
Allowing for noxious weed control or drainage ditch maintenance within Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) land or continuous CRP land
ICGA President Kurt Hora, Chair Bob Hemesath and Vice President Mark Recker will be available to discuss:
Driving market access and free trade for U.S. corn exports
Expanding existing and exploring new trade agreements, such as the North America Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) ag export promotion programs
Retaining the Renewable Fuel Standard
How Iowa is leading the way with water quality initiatives
ICPB President Larry Klever, Chair Mark Heckman and Vice President Duane Aistrope will be available to discuss:
Creating and expanding markets for Iowa corn in all forms - ethanol, DDGS & corn-fed meat
Engaging in initiatives like the Soil Health Partnership to employ real-world, farmer-to-farmer education and encouraging adoption of practices to support soil and water quality
Working with retailers, auto manufacturers, American Lung, and others to promote the benefits and availability of higher ethanol blends