And one solution may be found in one of the fastest-growing sectors of the clothing and textiles sector—athleisure wear.

The popular clothing style—yoga pants, joggers, hoodies and more—combines high fashion with high-functionality and comfort, and has been gaining in popularity for years.

But as with any product that is sourced from petrochemicals, there is an opportunity to replace the oil-based feedstock with one that is sourced from corn.

And at Qore, a joint venture between Cargill and HELM, they’re working on making this a possibility.

So in this episode, we talk to Andrea Vanderhoff, Director of Technology and Sustainability at Qore, to learn more about how their QIRA technology is opening new avenues for corn-based products to penetrate the textiles market, including in athleisure wear.

And, NCGA Director of Outputs and Measurements Harley Janssen joins us as well to talk about the potential impacts and benefits for the corn industry.

To learn more about Qore and QIRA, visit www.myqira.com

And as we approach the sixth anniversary of its implementation, USMCA is undergoing its mandated review period, during which the parties will decide specifics about the agreement’s future.

In order to ensure that agriculture’s voice is heard during this process, the National Corn Growers Association, the National Turkey Federation and many other ag stakeholders are banding together in support.

So in this episode of the Cobcast, we discuss the Agriculture Coalition for USCMA with one of its key members—NTF President and CEO Leslee Oden, as well as NCGA’s Director of Public Policy, Trade, and Biotechnology Nancy Martinez.

Together, we’ll recap what led us to this point, discuss the USMCA’s economic impact on the agriculture sector, and highlight the importance of predictability in trade agreements.

We’ll also uncover a few key points where the agreement could be improved, discuss the process of lobbying for those improvements, and emphasize the value that industry-centered coalitions bring to the negotiating table.

And throughout the quarter-millennium since the Declaration of Independence was signed, corn farmers have been feeding and fueling a growing nation.

But on the heels of another record corn crop in 2025, what’s it going to take to create enough new corn demand to keep up with the supply?

In this episode of the Cobcast, we discuss the future of corn with NCGA Chief Economist Krista Swanson and VP of Sustainable Production Sean Arians.

Together, we’ll explore the roots of this record production, the implications for supply and demand, and the opportunities for new markets, particularly in the biomaterials and ethanol sectors.

And we’ll consider what new products might help drive agricultural success over the next 250 years.

A record crop was overshadowed by market concerns and uncertainty, and it seems like the roller coaster ride will continue into 2026.

But through it all, NCGA’s volunteers and staff have been grinding it out on behalf of members, advancing a policy agenda to boost demand for America’s crop and protect growers’ ability to do their jobs.

In this holiday message, NCGA President Jed Bower shares his thoughts on a couple of NCGA’s big wins from 2025, like opening new avenues for trade, reversing Mexico’s GMO corn ban, protecting access to crop protection tools, and advancing farm tax policy wins in Congress.

And, we take a look ahead to the big priorities for 2026, including a nationwide, year-round E15 bill.

Merry Christmas, happy holidays and a happy new year from all of us here at NCGA.

But American farmers are experiencing the most significant change in ESA policy yet, as the judicial system compels the Environmental Protection Agency to adapt its policies and comply more precisely with the law as it’s written.

So in this episode, we’re learning about how NCGA remains active in the public input process for this policy change, ensuring that growers do not lose access to the tools that help them feed and fuel the world.

We’ll speak with Dr. Becky Langer, NCGA’s Director of Inputs and Innovation, about how the process is playing out, how NCGA has partnered with the EPA, and what the impact will be when it’s all said and done.

And the new president of the National Corn Growers Association, Jed Bower, isn’t shying away from the big tasks ahead of him.

Bower took the reins as NCGA’s top grower-leader effective October 1, on the same day that the U.S. federal government shut down over a funding negotiations standstill.

And in this episode, he’ll explain why Congress needs to get back to work, reopen the government, and make progress on priorities that could help producers find their way back to profitability.

Jed is joined by Lesly McNitt, NCGA’s vice president of public policy.

Together they’ll discuss how to make progress on E15 ethanol blends, deals with new international trading partners, and federal financial assistance for farmers.

And if growers are going to get some relief from sagging corn prices, our nation’s innovators are going to have to find new uses for the commodity.

Fortunately, corn is a versatile crop that can be processed into all manner of plastics, fibers and distillations.

And with this year’s Consider Corn Challenge, the NCGA shined a spotlight on some of these innovations, while also incentivizing new research.

So in this episode, we meet Curtis Firestone, the co-founder and CEO of Aerterra, an air filter manufacturer that sources its household and commercial products from the corn that we grow in our fields. The filters are eco-friendly, and can be used interchangeably with the petroleum-based versions that are standard in homes and businesses.

We’ll be joined as well by Chad Epler, a farmer from southeast Kansas who serves as the chair of the NCGA action team dedicated research and new uses for corn.

Together, we’ll discuss how the Consider Corn challenge is a game changer for innovators, how it’s moving the needle on corn demand, and what other future uses we’re pioneering.

But the MAHA Commission convened by President Trump and headed by HHHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. has set its sights on some odd targets…

…including two mission-critical pesticides for corn farmers, Glyphosate and Atrazine.

Without citing scientific evidence, a report from the MAHA Commission seems to blame these safe and effective tools of agriculture for kids’ health problems.

This is in spite of decades of EPA, USDA and FDA precedent that have established safe practices and regulations for their use.

So in this episode, we hear from two key leaders at NCGA—VP of Public Policy Lesly McNitt and Director of Inputs and Innovation Dr. Becky Langer—about what the organization is doing to protect these important crop treatments.

We’ll discuss why most folks don’t understand the importance and safety of pesticides, what the report means for corn growers, and how farmers can protect their access to these tools.  

The agreement is the first trade pact with a new trading partner since 2012.

And amid tariff uncertainty and unsettled markets, the presidential administration is signaling its desire to make trade deals with new countries a top priority.

In particular, discussions are ongoing to open up new markets for corn in India and Vietnam, representing a potentially huge boost for the American corn industry.

So in this episode of the Cobcast, we’re talking to two top experts on international trade: Andrew Brandt, the Director of Trade Policy at the U.S. Grains Council; and Nancy Martinez, the Director of Public Policy, Trade and Biotechnology at the National Corn Growers Association.

Together, we’ll answer many of the distinct trade questions on growers’ minds at this moment, like what are some other possible destinations for corn exports? What could potential deals look like with these new countries? And what does it all mean for folks who are just getting a crop in the ground?

Provisions like the Qualified Business Income Deduction, 100% Bonus Depreciation, and the increased Estate Tax Exemption are critically important to producers across the country.

So in this episode, we’re talking with two of NCGA’s foremost experts about how these policies benefit farmers… and what we can do to preserve them.

Andy Jobman is a farmer from Gothenburg, Nebraska, and chairs NCGA’s Risk Management Action Team, which has been researching the effects of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act at the farm gate and building up our case to preserve it.

And Wayne Stoskopf is NCGA’s Director of Public Policy, serving as the D.C. staff liaison for all matters involving tax policy.

Together, they’ll explain why farmers can’t afford to lose these tax protections, what it means for rural communities, and why it’s critical for growers to contact their legislators about this issue.

Such a move would stoke demand for corn and support growers who are battling stagnant corn prices and spiking input costs.

Nebraska Senator Deb Fischer and her co-sponsors have reintroduced an E15 bill, which has broad bipartisan support. Nearly 9,000 corn growers and advocates from 47 states even sent a letter to House and Senate leadership this week calling for action on the measure.

But the work is not done, and growers nationwide need to rally to the cause in order to make year-round E15 a reality.

In this episode of the Cobcast, we’re joined by Sen. Fischer herself to discuss the importance of E15 legislation for corn farmers and the agricultural economy.

Along with NCGA CEO Neil Caskey, she spotlights the coalition of support for the bill, the benefits of E15 for consumers and the environment, and the need for better messaging about agriculture's impact.

They also touch on the current economic challenges facing farmers, the impact of tariffs, and the legislative progress needed to make E15 a permanent option.

But through it all, the one thing you can count on is that members of the NCGA pull together to protect the industry for everyone.

And in the past several days, those efforts have paid off to deliver some early Christmas presents for NCGA members.

Foremost on that list, the dispute settlement panel convened under the USMCA has ruled that Mexico's proposed GMO corn import ban is not supported by science, and is in clear violation of the trade agreement.

And also, the continuing resolution passed by the US Congress to avert a government shutdown contains an extension of the Farm Bill and some much-needed economic assistance for growers.

In this special holiday message from NCGA President Ken Hartman, he provides a quick update for growers on these developments, and shares NCGA's holiday wishes for a merry Christmas and a happy new year for all.

The election results include victories for more than 90 percent of the candidates backed by CornPAC, and have big implications for farmers across the country.

So in this episode of the Cobcast, we're going to analyze the takeaways of the Republican sweep of D.C. leadership, the effectiveness of NCGA's political strategy, and the key races that will shape ag policy in the new Congress.

We're joined by NCGA’s Vice President of Public Policy Brooke Appleton, and Director of Grassroots and Political Strategy Sadie Knight.

And we'll discuss the implications of the new Congressional leadership, President-elect Trump's forthcoming cabinet selections, and pressing agriculture issues, particularly trade policy, that will be at the forefront as we move into 2025.

We'll also reflect back on lessons from this election cycle and the importance of rural votes in shaping the political landscape.

So, as the National Corn Growers Association transitions from the leadership of one member-President to another, its leadership and staff are focused on growing demand for corn in both the short- and long-term horizons.

In this episode, we meet newly-minted President Ken Hartman, Jr., a grower from southern Illinois who is taking the reins as NCGA's top leader.

And we also meet his predecessor, former President Harold Wolle from south-central Minnesota, who's stepping into the role of NCGA chairman.

Together, they'll discuss the top priorities for NCGA in the year ahead, how the organization is driving new sources of demand for corn, and why it's more important than ever to be in touch with your representatives in Washington.

And it’s up to each one of us to take seriously the responsibilities of being a good steward for those tools, and the environment around us.

But recently, the process by which the Environmental Protection Agency regulates pesticides has been challenged in court, on the grounds that it didn’t comply with parts of the Endangered Species Act.

And so EPA has to build a plan to prove it’s in compliance with the ESA, causing potential disruptions for growers.

In this episode, we’re examining how we got here, what changes growers should expect, how farmers should get prepared, and how groups like the National Corn Growers Association are working with the EPA and other environmental services to minimize the impact on farming operations.

Our expert guests include:

• Megan Dwyer, the Director of Conservation and Nutrient Stewardship for Illinois Corn
• Stanley Culpepper, an Extension Weed Scientist with the University of Georgia
• Bill Belzer, the Global Stewardship Director at Corteva

This episode is sponsored by Corteva Agriscience.

The Farm Bill. The Next Generation Fuels Act. Opening up global trade opportunities to lower the cost of inputs.

Your lawmakers need to hear from constituents like you who support these issues.

And now is the perfect time to let them know.

With lawmakers returning to their home districts for the August recess, we have a golden opportunity to advocate for the issues that matter most to the agriculture community.

So in this episode, we’re talking to Lindsay Croke, the marketing director at Illinois Corn, and Luke Crumley, director of public policy and sustainability at Ohio Corn and Wheat, about how local advocacy makes a national impact.

They’ll offer practical advice for farmers to stay informed and effectively communicate with their elected representatives and staff, and discuss the opportunities that are available at this time of year for growers to show up and be heard. 

Mexico is the number one market for U.S. corn growers by a wide margin, and over 90% of the corn that's planted in the United States is biotech. Accordingly, Mexico's decree threatens market access and adds a great deal of legal uncertainty for our corn growers.

And ever since the decree was announced, organizations like the National Corn Growers Association, the Corn Refiners Association and the U.S. Grains Council have been leveraging every opportunity to push back.

Recently, those efforts resulted in a trade dispute settlement hearing under the USMCA, which represents the best opportunity to reverse this destructive trade policy.

So in this episode, we're going to revisit the history of the ban, explore the arguments that were made in the dispute settlement hearing, and discuss what it all means for farmers. Our guests include:

• Andrew Brandt, the director of trade policy for the U.S. Grains Council
• Heidi Bringenberg, the U.S. Grains Council’s country director for Mexico
• Kristy Goodfellow, the vice president of trade and industry affairs for the Corn Refiners Association
• Nancy Martinez, the National Corn Growers Association's director of public policy, trade and biotechnology

We'll also hear about the U.S. Grains Council's work to maintain relations in Mexico, in a segment that is sponsored by Corteva Agriscience.

Growers from all across the country can compete against one another to see who can coax the most bushels per acre out of their ground, blending tried-and-true techniques with new and emerging practices to maximize their production.

Last year, NCGA launched a new pilot class for the contest, the first in its history to limit an input in the hunt for high corn yields.

So in this episode of the Cobcast, we're discussing the Nitrogen Management Pilot Class of the Corn Yield Contest with Nick Preissler, the first-ever winner of the class, and Jim Isermann, an agronomist working with the NCGA to design rules for the class.

Together we'll discuss the impetus behind the development of the class, the challenges and opportunities it presents and the specific limitations set for nitrogen usage. Nick will share what he learned on his operation in Aurora, Nebraska, and what other growers can take away from his experience.

To learn more about the new pilot class, and the Corn Yield Contest in general, visit ncga.com/yieldcontest.

But over the last couple of years, there are new developments that could be major boon for this crucial sector.

So in this episode, we're going to talk with a few ethanol experts to get their perspectives on how that market has developed, where it's at today, and where they’re hoping it will go in the future.

Joining us are agricultural economist Scott Irwin from the University of Illinois; Julie Busse, a member of the National Corn Growers Association ethanol team; and Bradley Schad, the CEO of the Missouri Corn Merchandising Council and Missouri Corn Growers Association.

They’ll provide some important context about ethanol’s history as a fuel, and also tell us how you can get involved with critical efforts to secure its future.

Visit NCGA.com/Octane to get involved yourself.

And you can learn more about Scott Irwin’s new book, “Back to the Futures: Crashing Dirt Bikes, Chasing Cows, and Unraveling the Mystery of Commodity Futures Markets,” by visiting this link:

https://www.amazon.com/Back-Futures-Crashing-Unraveling-Commodity/dp/B0CPKXFZ2Y

We’re losing good people, but we don’t have to.

From weather, to markets, to prices, to the issues that come with a family business, farmers face a number of stressors that are unique to their occupation. And in rural America, suicide rates increased 46% from 2000-2020, compared to 27.3% in metro areas, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

So one of the National Corn Growers Association action teams is working with partners across the industry to spread the message that saying something could mean everything. In this episode, two of those partners share their stories and their expertise.

Jeff Ditzenberger is a former grower from southern Wisconsin who uses his past struggles with suicide to help other people today. He travels around the country delivering his outspoken message that, “It’s okay to not be okay.”

And Dr. Josie Rudolphi is an Associate Professor in the University of Illinois School of Agricultural and Biological Engineering with expertise in not only mental health, but its specific impacts in agricultural populations.

If you or someone you know is struggling, please share one of these important resources we discuss in this episode:

• 988, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
• 1-800-447-1985, The Iowa Concern Hotline, a resource serving the agricultural community nationwide 
• FarmStress.org, a central clearinghouse for mental health and financial resources for American farmers
• TugsGroup.com, Jeff Ditzenberger’s Wisconsin-based support group

And, whether it’s the war in Ukraine, lingering supply-side issues from Covid-19 or high interest rates, we are all feeling the effects of the world economy a little more acutely this year.

So are we staring down another financial crisis, or just feeling a little economic speed bump?

For some perspectives on those questions, and what it means for corn growers, we’re joined in this episode by Krista Swanson, the National Corn Growers Association’s lead economist.

She provides some much-needed context, and an informed take on what the farm economy might have in store for us over the next few years. 

Historically, Mexico is the number one market for U.S. corn, and so the NCGA has been active in pushing back, with strong support from the Biden administration in Washington.

The NCGA is urging the administration to hold the line and file a dispute settlement under the USMCA to hold Mexico accountable to their obligations under that trade agreement.

In order to build awareness of the issue in Congress, on January 31 NCGA held a well-attended briefing for Congressional staffers with an all-star panel of experts:

• Congressman Adrian Smith from Nebraska, chair of the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Trade
• Acting Deputy Undersecretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Jason Hafemeister
• NCGA President Tom Haag
• Nebraska grower Andy Jobman

And the discussion was moderated by NCGA Vice President of Communications Neil Caskey. 

It’s the heart of corn country, and she knows that agriculture will factor heavily in many of the issues she will have to address in Washington.

But Budzinski, a Democrat, also represents an evenly-divided constituency that previously elected a Republican to the seat.

And she recognizes that it’s more important than ever to build bridges, find common ground and strive toward bipartisanship in the Capitol.

In this episode, we ask the newly-elected Congresswoman what she sees as the biggest issues that growers face today, how she’s planning to go to bat for America’s farmers, and what it’s like going to a place like Washington as a Congressional freshman. 

Add to these worries the impact of the North American drought, transportation and logistics headaches, and other market uncertainties, and growers may feel like the high price of corn is the only good news they've heard in more than a year.

But what do you need to know to maintain your operation in this changing economic situation? What tools do we have to keep operating costs from spiraling out-of-control? And how much worse is it going to get before it gets better?

In this episode, we’re talking to Todd Van Hoose, President and CEO of the Farm Credit Council, for the answers. 

Plus, we send our best to Jon Doggett, NCGA CEO and podcast host, as he nears his retirement date.

But in the world of agriculture, you can’t just hit home runs all the time.

It might not get the headlines, but the real work gets done in the singles and doubles that you hit, and you’ve got to hit those reliably.

And so in this episode, we look back at some of the important wins for the industry that you might not have heard about, with outgoing NCGA President Chris Edgington as he winds down his term in office.

From tariffs on inputs to new regulations, the association has battled back against developments that would have cost farmers dearly. At the same time, new support for ethanol fuel is moving forward in Washington and could be a huge boon to growers.

Make sure to REGISTER YOUR CONCERNS WITH THE EPA about its plans to revise registration for atrazine, which would effectively limit the effectiveness of this critical crop protection tool.

Also, the Next Generation Fuels Act is one of NCGA’s top legislative priorities. CLICK HERE to ask your congressional representatives to cosponsor it.

But this summer, the NCGA has helped bring home a huge win for America’s farmers in a recent International Trade Commission case involving proposed tariffs on imported Urea Ammonium Nitrate fertilizers.

So in this episode, we'll talk to Andy Jobman, a Nebraskan corn farmer, and Jared R. Wessel, an attorney with Hogan Lovells in Washington, D.C. These two played major roles in arguing NCGA's case at the ITC hearings.

Andy and Jared will discuss how they argued their case, why this win was so important, and what the industry needs to do next to continue to fight unnecessary trade restrictions.

Led by NCGA's VP of Public Policy, Brooke Appleton, this discussion panel, straight from the floor of Corn Congress, includes several experienced legislators and thought leaders in the field of agriculture:

Daniel Glickman, former Secretary, USDA

Heidi Heitkamp, former Senator and member of the Senate Agriculture Committee

Richard Fordyce, former Administrator of the Farm Service Agency

Together, these four discuss important topics to consider, and the work and relationships necessary to achieve our goals in creating a farm bill that is beneficial to everyone affected by agriculture.

From big headlines in the news to your own wallet, Americans are feeling the pinch of rising prices.

And in the corn industry, we're still leveraging a powerful tool to help take the edge off the financial pain we all feel each week: corn ethanol.

In this episode, we’re talking to Geoff Cooper, CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association, about how ethanol can help Americans weather this economic storm.

And we’re busting some common ethanol myths that keep on turning up everywhere from policy discussions to social media.

That kind of pressure takes a toll. According to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the suicide rate in the agriculture industry is nearly 10 points above the national average, and about one in four farmers struggles with mental health issues.

But mental health doesn’t typically get talked about a lot in the ag community.

So in this episode, we meet Lowell Neitzel, a grower from Kansas who’s trying to change that by sharing his personal story about mental health. Lowell also leads the NCGA Member and Consumer Engagement Action Team, which has targeted grower mental health as a priority.

Lowell is joined by Dr. Heather Sedges, an associate professor from the University of Tennessee who’s working to prioritize mental health resources for growers. Dr. Sedges serves as Principal Investigator and Lead of the USDA/NIFA-funded Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network in the Southern Region. 

Together, they discuss how to change the conversation about mental health in rural America, what to do when a friend or loved one is in a mental health crisis, and how to create a one-stop shop for mental health resources that growers can use to protect their own well-being.

Click here to watch Lowell's story on YouTube.

And here is the list of resources that Dr. Sedges references in this episode:

• Farmer Resource Network
• North Central Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Center
• Western Regional Agricultural Stress Assistance Program
• National Farmers Union Farm Crisis Center
• Minnesota Department of Agriculture Training Kit
• Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network
• Managing Farm Stress (Michigan State Univ. Extension)
• AgrAbility Mental Health Resources
• Univ. of Maryland Extension Farmer Stress Webinar
• Dr. Val Farmer articles archive
• Office of Rural Mental Health Research (Federal Government website)
• Rural Behavioral Health Initiative
• National Rural Health Association
• Suicide Prevention Resource Center

And here is a link to the Productivity Protocol that Dr. Sedges mentions.

But in that time, no one has had quite the sustained success as Charles City, Virginia’s David Hula, who has won the contest with record-setting yields on four separate occasions.

In this episode, we talk to David about his formula for success, which includes a combination of precisely-targeted fertilizer applications and a blend of strip-till and no-till.

Plus, we discuss the unique environmental challenges he faces as he works tirelessly to preserve water quality in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, and how his farm traces its historic roots back to a time when growers planted a dead catfish with their corn seed. 

As leaders from the five Commodity Classic presenting organizations, these five executives have their fingers on the pulse of the agriculture world and the iissues that affect farmers.

Panel members included:

• Jon Doggett, CEO of the National Corn Growers Association.
• Steve Censky, , CEO of the American Soybean Association
• Chandler Goule, CEO of the National Association of Wheat Growers
• Tim Lust, CEO of the National Sorghum Producers
• Curt Blades, Senior Vice President of Ag at the Association of Equipment Manufacturers

Together, we discussed policy, supply chain, sustainability, infrastructure, biofuels, precision ag, the next Farm Bill, and just about every other issue facing the ag industry today.

And in this episode, we bring you that discussion in its entirety.

And yet, much of the infrastructure that makes this possible hasn’t been updated since the 1930’s… until now.

In this episode, we talk about a key win for the NCGA and other groups who have spent decades pushing Congress to act on this critical infrastructure problem.

Joining us are Jim Tarmann, the managing director with Illinois Corn Growers, and Tracy Zea, the president and CEO of the Waterways Council, which is an association dedicated to advocating for a modern national system of inland waterway infrastructure. 

We discuss how we got to this point, what it means for growers in the Midwest, and what comes next.

Host of the AgriTalk radio program and podcast, he brings ag news, policy updates and expert insights to a network of more than 135 radio stations across the U.S.

So in this episode, we flip the script on Chip, interviewing him at the National Corn Growers Association booth on the show floor at Commodity Classic.

Plus, we finally settle, once and for all, who’s the biggest music buff—Chip Flory or NCGA CEO Jon Doggett—with a classic rock trivia contest for the ages. 

“Things are not good, from a bipartisan perspective right now,” Republican Rep. Dusty Johnson from South Dakota tells us in this episode.

And Democrat Abigail Spanberger from Virginia agrees.

As members of the bipartisan “Problem Solvers’ Caucus,” these two Congresspeople have developed a reputation for trying to work together instead of tear one another down.

But they can’t do it alone. And so in this episode, they join us once again to discuss how Americans can help bring compromise back, and why it’s important for the corn industry AND the nation.