Statement from ICGA President Curt Mether

Statement from ICGA President Curt Mether

We, along with other agriculture groups, are welcoming the $16 billion issued by the Trump Administration today in assistance to help farmers with potential loss due to the recent tariffs and China’s retaliatory tariffs. These funds will be used to calm the destruction of the perfect agriculture storm. Corn farmers are caught right in the middle of the agriculture storm with low prices due to the current trade disputes, demand destruction of ethanol by the EPA granting RFS waivers to oil refiners, plus devastating weather conditions this spring. All these factors are affecting farm incomes and farmers need fair treatment during these uncertain times. Although the amount as not yet been issued for bushels of corn, we continue to push for more aid than was given in the first trade aid last year. ICGA issued a call to action last week encouraging members to express to the Administration that one cent per bushel of corn is not enough due to the economic situation for corn farmers. This week, there was a media report stating a draft of the Trump Administration’s plan will allocate 4 cents per bushel of corn.  ICGA has communicated daily to the Administration and Congress continuing to state that 4 cents does not reflect trade impact on corn. According to an NCGA-commissioned economic analysis conducted last May, corn farmers suffered a loss of at least 44 cents per bushel in the price of corn. We will fight for Iowa's corn farmers.

For More Information:

Brandi Snyder, Public Relations Manager, bsnyder@iowacorn.org, 515-225-9242