Iowa Corn Roots March 2023

Roots

A LOOK INSIDE:

MARKET DEVELOPMENT

USGC India Office Q&A

RESEARCH

The Future of Feed

EDUCATION

Building Corn Reputation

FARMER FEATURE

Local Leader: Dick Gallagher

ICPB DIRECTOR ELECTIONS

iowacorn.org

At the beginning of this year, the U.S. Grains Council (USGC) officially hosted the grand opening of its office in India, an investment that the Iowa Corn Promotion Board was a contributor. The India market holds a large potential for many of our key products. Currently, India is the second largest ethanol market, all for industrial use. The total market potential for fuel-grade ethanol is more than 440 million gallons a year. USGC continues to work on advancing trade policy and relationships with India that support ethanol for fuel use in addition to industrial uses. Hear from Alejandra Danielson Castillo, USGC’s Country Director for India, about the goals, work and future challenges for the India USGC office.

CAN YOU GIVE SOME HISTORICAL BACKGROUND ON THE USGC’S WORK IN INDIA AND WHY IT WAS A HIGH PRIORITY TO OPEN AN OFFICE?

For the past 25 years, USGC has worked in the India market with a consultant building relationships and working on programs. India has the potential for 880 million gallons of ethanol use and one million metric tons a year of DDGS, with a 10-15% increase year over year. Currently, India is one of the top three markets for U.S. ethanol for industrial use, with a usage of 120-170 million gallons of ethanol per year. The move to open an office was created by the high market potential that India brings, and since 2017 we have been working to get this office up and running.

USGC INDIA OFFICE Q&A

WHAT IS THE ADVANTAGE OF HAVING BOOTS ON THE GROUND IN INDIA?

A brick-and-mortar office shares a strong message that USGC and U.S. farmers see India as a priority and want to further build that relationship. We want to show that we are here to stay. Our office is the only U.S. cooperator with offices in India in the agriculture field, and that speaks volumes to our dedication to the market. India is a relationship-driven market and being able to have meetings in-person at the office is greatly valued. It goes a long way to convince them we are doing more than a sale of U.S. products, we are developing our trade policy for the long haul. We want to help them reach their goals and want to be in India for the foreseeable future.

WHAT WORK IS YOUR OFFICE CURRENTLY DOING IN INDIA?

The first thing is continuing to build the office and staff. In 2020 we brought on a marketing specialist, in 2022 a finance and administration manager was added and most recently an office assistant. As we solidify our standard operating procedures we are finishing building our team.

We are also continuing to engage on ethanol trade. Recently our office took part in the India Auto Expo. We used this event as a time to highlight the efforts in ethanol promotion and the benefits biofuels can bring to India within the automotive industry. India’s G20 presidency provides a lot of opportunities to upgrade ethanol to new heights.

with Alejandra Danielson Castillo, U.S. Grains Council’s Country Director for India

India Team (from left to right): Amit Sachdev, Regional Consultant; Alejandra Castillo, Director; Nayantara Pande, Marketing Specialist; Vanita Verma , Finance and Administration Manager; Sunil Mohindru, IT support and Abhiskek Kumar, Office Assistant

The E20 push has also created more dialogue about DDGS, which currently faces challenges as India has a GMO ban. We are continuing to work with the feed industry to figure out what are potential avenues, build pro-feed ingredients and have pro-GMO conversations. We are also working on a market feasibility study to show how poultry farmers who have a greater portfolio of feed ingredients can benefit their farms.

WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES THAT YOU FACE IN THIS MARKETPLACE?

Policy and navigating the political system are definitely among the biggest hurdles. We are also coming up on a national election in March 2024. This means that little to no policy changes will get done this year. Another big challenge is getting India to come to the table to have trade discussions with the U.S. Without that push for trade we will not see real movement on the ethanol front.

Understanding the India market, economy and complex policies remains a top priority for USGC. India has some very big goals that they want to achieve such as Net Zero Emissions and E20 by 2025, but most importantly they want to do this themselves. Part of our message is to showcase how other countries have leveraged global trade to reach their blend mandates and incentivize local production.

INDIA HAD A HUGE SUCCESS IN ACHIEVING ITS ETHANOL FUEL BLENDING TARGET OF 10 PERCENT EARLY. WHAT CONTRIBUTED TO THIS SUCCESS? WHAT DO YOU THINK THIS MEANS FOR THE FUTURE OF THE MARKET IN INDIA?

In India there is enormous support visually and verbally for ethanol, from government to the automobile manufacturers’ associations to end users. We have never seen this in another market. Certainly, the government’s push for 10% ethanol and the messaging about supporting and paying back to farmers has helped. As India now moves to use grains for ethanol production, we see both a challenge and an opportunity. The availability of grain, especially corn, is a debatable question, as India has been a net importer in the last few years. However, ethanol from corn is in the U.S. wheelhouse, and we see plenty of opportunities for both countries to leverage this expertise.

WHAT ARE THE FUTURE GOALS AND PROJECTS YOU ARE WORKING ON FOR THE USGC INDIA OFFICE?

There are four main goals and projects we are working on right now. The first is the move to E20. With the E20 goal being moved up from 2030 to 2025, we have some concerns about how and where that supply will come but remain steadfast that there is a place for global trade within this framework. The council has developed strong messaging on the benefits associated with higher ethanol blends. The focus of our message is for India to continue to develop their first-generation (1G) ethanol production, and for this to remain at the top of the U.S.-India trade agenda. The relationship between the U.S. and India remains a vital piece to reach these goals.

Our second goal is to continue to build our team. We hope to bring on an ethanol specialist and are working to figure out exactly what expertise is needed in this position to best serve the needs of the market.

We are also continuing to solidify our partnerships in country and build what we like to refer to as ‘friends of the council’. Helping us move away from a transactional relationship to long-lasting partnership. India has looked up to Brazil and their ethanol success story, but we believe that the U.S. ethanol story has much to offer to our India counterparts, especially as they move to use grains for ethanol production.

Finally, we will continue to put an emphasis on industrial ethanol use and how this market can be diversified and better serviced.

The story of India is just beginning. The office is not just about creating market access but is showing that the U.S. is looking for real partnerships and strong relationships to see us past fluctuations in the market. We are just starting to write this story and so far it is a great story to tell. In the last 25 years, we have built a foundation of trust in our expertise and knowledge, and as we begin a new chapter in India, we are excited to expand that foundation to reach a win-win scenario for both countries.

The Future of Feed

IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY FEED MILL

The Iowa Corn Promotion Board (ICPB) invested in the construction of a state-of-the-art feed mill and grain science facility at Iowa State University (ISU), along with Kent Corporation, Sukup Manufacturing and other donors. This investment will help to advance agriculture and the feed sector within our state and provide a platform for education, research and training for a global audience.

The new Iowa State University Kent Feed Mill & Grain Science Complex will work to advance the feed and grain industry here in Iowa and around the world through multiple avenues. “The first goal is to recruit and prepare more students for the grain and feed industry by having them learn hands-on operation of the feed mill and take classes to complete a new Feed Technology Minor at Iowa State University,” said Dirk Maier, ISU professor and director of the new complex.

Another goal is to enhance and provide training on feed technology, grain science and animal nutrition for both future and current employees in the industry. The feed mill will provide programming opportunities and continued education programs through outreach to a broad audience. The facility will also work to develop procedures and processes to help the industry remain compliant with the Food Safety Modernization Act. A classroom in the Iowa Corn Education Center, capable of hosting fifty people, will not only provide the opportunity for hands-on training and coursework but will also enable research on feed and grain technology and advance best practices. Finally, the feed mill will support ISU research and teaching farms with high-quality feeds.

In Iowa, livestock plays a huge role in our corn demand, making up 25% of Iowa corn use. In the past decade, commercial feed consumption has doubled within our state. “To continue to be competitive in the future, the grain and feed industry must improve efficiency and production and have more highly trained individuals,” said Rod Williamson, ICPB’s Vice President of Research and Sustainability. “The ISU Feed Mill will provide those opportunities for education, research and development for corn products ultimately building demand for Iowa’s corn farmers.”

The complex also provides a great opportunity to showcase this technology to international trade teams and buyers and help build further global demand for Iowa’s feed, ethanol and cornfed meat. Since last April, the feed mill has hosted several tours for over 600 people. Groups included international trade teams from Latin America and Europe, the National Corn Growers Association Board, Iowa Corn Promotion Board, Iowa Corn Growers Association Board and ICGA District 5 roundtable participants.

Currently, construction on the feed mill is in its final stages and ISU plans on the facility being operational in May. Until then they are able to utilize the space for tours and some trainings. Starting in August the facility will begin its first official training programs and then be used for teaching during the fall semester.

The Iowa State University Kent Feed Mill and Grain Science Complex will not only provide our industry with a state-of-theart feed mill but will also provide great learning opportunities for students, current employees and international visitors in the Iowa Corn Education Center. This corn checkoff investment will strengthen our state’s capabilities and expertise when it comes to utilizing corn for feed bringing a better return on investment for Iowa’s corn farmers.

Building Corn Reputation

Every day Iowa Corn works to create the best environment for corn farmers to be profitable. Whether it is here in Iowa or the nation’s capital, we work to grow confidence and favorability for Iowa’s corn farmers. That is why we invest in national programs, that in turn come back to benefit your farm right here in Iowa. One example of this work is the Corn Reputation campaign that focuses on D.C. decision-makers.

In 2020, the Corn Reputation program was created through a collaborative effort of NCGA and state corn organizations to positively share corn farmer stories and practices in the market where NCGA can have the greatest impact, Washington, D.C.

In the nation’s capital, there is an ever-rotating group of political elites and staffers who are working on policies that can impact corn both positively and negatively. Making D.C. a vital market to build a strong connection and share accurate information, enabling corn growers to move important legislation and policy priorities forward.

The Corn Reputation campaign is not lobbying or done for specific legislation but is designed to be educational and share information from the farm about corn farmers and production practices. This lays the foundation for better understanding and awareness for the D.C. decisionmakers when it comes to corn and its production.

Through qualitative and focus group research NCGA identified that many D.C. staffers have a lot of questions and little to no experience with agriculture but place great value and importance on sustainability. That is why it is important to emphasize this shared value of conservation and sustainability to build a connection and trust within D.C.

The campaign focuses on sharing farmers’ conservation stories by highlighting the work done to sustain our soil, water and air. The impact

of these conservation practices does not just affect corn production but also addresses challenges and issues facing us all.

This messaging was launched in many ways, utilizing popular media channels to meet our audience where they are. During the 2021 and 2022 legislative sessions advertising was displayed at the Reagan National Airport TSA checkpoints, as it is one of the main airports that staffers and legislators use to travel to D.C. Other platforms utilized included podcasts, social media, ads on streaming platforms and National Public Radio, a source that over 90% of USDA staff tune in to. The sustainability messaging and stories used continue to resonate with the target audience and viewership numbers remain high across the board.

During Corn Congress 2022, a mobile water bottle filling station was also brought to D.C. The station shared valuable information about water quality and the work farmers do to ensure clean water for their families and yours. This campaign was very popular with the public and brought a tangible touchpoint to D.C.

As we move into 2023, and Congress returns with many new faces, there is a great task to build rapport with these new legislators and staffers, especially as they dive into one of the most important pieces of legislation, the 2023 Farm Bill. To put it in perspective 44% of the House has never considered a Farm Bill. This is why education and connection with NCGA as the go-to source representing farmers for both new and old legislators remains vital.

When we share the farmers’ stories out in D.C., NCGA along with Iowa Corn can be a top resource for policy decisions on agriculture issues. The Corn Reputation campaign will continue to work to bridge that gap between policy decision-makers and farmers by sharing the real impacts and positive changes farmers are making every day to ensure healthy soil, water and air for all.

want to know more about NCGA and sustainability after 2021 campaign ran

2021 messaging moved our target audience 51% higher, to a total positive of 62%

14,000,000+ total impressions in 2022

LOCAL LEADER: DICK GALLAGHER

To some, he is known as the fry guy, to others a mentor and to many a local leader who has always gone above and beyond. For fifty years, Dick Gallagher from Washington County has been actively involved in Iowa Corn and the commodity world at all levels. This past year Dick was recognized at the annual grassroots summit for his outstanding contribution to Iowa Corn with the Local Leader Award.

Dick began his involvement by serving on the Washington Keokuk County Corn and Soybean Growers Board. He embraced many opportunities that came his way and was able to serve at the state and national levels. After he had served as president of the Iowa Soybean Association Board, his close friend Gordon Wassenaar, reached out and asked him to be a director for the Iowa Corn Promotion Board. He agreed to run and never looked back, going on to serve across the organization and with national partners as well.

During his time with Iowa Corn, he served as president of the Washington County Corn and Soybean Growers Board, was president of the Iowa Corn Promotion Board, mentored the Iowa Corn Leadership Enhancement and Development (I-LEAD) Class 9 and participated in many District 9 board activities. On the national front, he was often engaged in top issues and was an active member of the National Corn Growers Association Action Teams and served as the Corn Sector Director for the U.S. Grains Council Board (USGC).

Dick shares that he is a big proponent of ‘if you grow it, you promote it’. That is why he became actively involved at the state, national and even international levels, finding it interesting and rewarding to know where his corn was going. Others shared that Dick was always willing to step up to serve and always made sure that those at his local level also found opportunities to get involved.

“A good organization has to have a diverse set of people with different opinions and thoughts but also be able to come together to make decisions,” shared Dick. “I have been very fortunate to be a part of this organization for a number of years. Iowa Corn has and continues to create some great leaders. It has been great to be a small part of that.”

Dick was asked to help mentor the I-LEAD Class 9 because of his involvement on the promotion board and international experience serving on USGC. He had seen and been involved with I-LEAD members over the years and was excited to work with a great group of up-and-coming leaders.

During their session, they took a domestic trip to learn about Texas agriculture, learned about leadership development and Maryland agriculture during Corn Congress in D.C. and participated in an international mission to Peru and Colombia, where they were able to visit the Panama Canal. During their missions, they were able to exchange about the challenges and successes of agriculture here in Iowa with those in other regions.

When asked about working with Class 9, Dick shared that it was an honor to work with a great group of leaders and that he didn’t know if he was mentoring them or if they were mentoring him, explaining that he learned a great deal from each member of the class.

Dick remains a familiar face known to many involved with Iowa Corn. He can be seen serving up delicious fries at the Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk member tailgate. What started as a tailgate hobby for this avid Iowa Hawkeye fan, quickly turned into a tradition for many who have visited the tailgate over the years. The ‘fry guy’ continues to find fun ways to stay involved.

One thing that has stuck with Dick through the years was the words of a Malawi missionary he works with: “We won the lottery we were born where we are at.” Dick shared, “Some farmers don’t have the opportunity to learn about where their corn is going at the national and international level and they don’t know all we do to promote and protect their corn markets. I have been very fortunate to learn that all firsthand and to be involved.”

Iowa Corn thanks Dick for his countless years of service, commitment and dedication to serving our industry. Dick truly embodies what it takes to be a local leader.

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Some farmers don’t have the opportunity to learn about where their corn is going at the national and international level and they don’t know all we do to promote and protect their corn markets, I have been very fortunate to learn that all firsthand and to be involved.

At Iowa Corn, we do many things. We develop and defend markets for corn across the globe. We fund research that unearths new uses for corn. And we spearhead education and promotional efforts to communicate the many benefits and uses of corn and corn products. Why do we do what we do? Because we believe in the corn growers of Iowa. What corn farmers do impacts people worldwide, and it’s our mission to support corn farmers’ interests. We’re here to work for the corn farmer. And we’re proud to do it.

TO UNLOCK THE POTENTIAL OF CORN TO SUSTAINABLY MEET THE NEEDS OF A GROWING WORLD

IOWA CORN PROMOTION BOARD DIRECTOR ELECTIONS

ICPB di rector elections are quickly approaching. Crop reporting districts 1, 3 and 6 are up for election. To request a petition or to learn more about the election process, please contact Iowa Corn: 5505 NW 88th Street, Johnston, Iowa 50131 or 515-225-9242. Visit iowacorn.org for further details and more information.

ICPB ELECTION TIMELINE:

March 30

April 11

April 2 6

May 24

June 19

July 11

Petitions will be available by request from the Iowa Corn office. Candidates who fill out petitions must also fill out the affidavit candidacy document.

D eadline for candidate names, district nominating committee forms and candidate bios are due to the Iowa Corn office.

A ll petitions for nominations are due to the Iowa Corn office by 4:30 pm.

Absentee ballots available for mailing.

D eadline for requesting absentee ballots.

E lections held at local county extension offices. Absentee ballots must be postmarked on or before July 11.