September 2018
Roots IOWA CORN
MEMBERSHIP POLICY MARKET DEVELOPMENT RESEARCH EDUCATION
Roots ICGA Directors: Curt Mether, President Jim Greif, Vice President Mark Recker, Chairman Dean Meyer, District 1 Stuart Swanson, District 2* Mark Mueller, District 3 Jolene Riessen, District 4 Dennis Friest, District 5* Lance Lillibridge, District 6* Carl Jardon, District 7* Steve Kuiper, District 8* Roger Wuthrich, District 9 Bob Hemesath, At Large
ICPB Directors: Wayne Humphreys, President Roger Zylstra, Vice President Duane Aistrope, Chairman Kelly Nieuwenhuis, District 1 Tom Renner, District 2 Greg Alber, District 3 Larry Buss, District 4* Michael Fritch, District 5* Pete Brecht, District 6 Ralph Lentz, District 7 Gary Petersohn, District 8* Stan Nelson, District 9* Mark Heckman, At Large Bob Bowman, At Large Chris Edgington, At Large *Newly elected in July of 2018
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MEMBERSHIP Double Your Impact with a Couple’s Membership
POLICY Paving the ICGA Policy 2018
MARKET DEVELOPMENT Iowa Corn 300 Race Recap
RESEARCH Tackling Pest Resistance in Iowa
EDUCATION Aspiring Iowa Ag Leaders Embark on Mission to Japan and Vietnam Roots • 2018 | 3
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I am humbled and honored to be serving as your 2018/2019 Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA) President. In a time of great uncertainty in Washington, I want to personally thank you for your dedication as we work together to share your voice along with nearly 8,000 members. Through our many challenges we’ve endured this year, I want to take the time to showcase our success. The Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) is our way of providing cleaner air, cheaper homegrown fuel for consumers, increased U.S. energy independence bringing nearly 360,000 industry jobs, which ultimately helps us grind more corn for farmers. When nearly 1.5 billion gallons of ethanol had been lost due to small refiner waivers, it slashed market access for us all. Through your membership, passion and advocacy we made immeasurable strides this year against the unfair waivers enacted and will continue to push forward for market access to build demand for corn farmers. As Deputy Administrator Andrew Wheeler assumes the role of Acting Administrator, ICGA looks forward to working with him. This couldn’t have been accomplished without you, your voice and your spirit for our industry. There will continue to be challenges we must face in the next year and we need each and every one of your voices to overcome them just as we have this year. From the county, district, state or national levels, your involvement is key to the success of Iowa corn farmers. Grab a seat at the table and make your voice stronger by becoming a member. Visit iowacorn.org/join to learn more. Curt Mether President, ICGA
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MEMBERSHIP
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Double Your Impact with a Couple’s Membership
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trength is everything, especially in numbers. Each and every day you must be mentally, physically, and emotionally strong to reach your farm’s goals and commitments. However, you know as an Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA) member you’re not alone in striving to reach your full potential. We think of all our members as a close-knit family and work hard to make sure that your voices are heard in Congress and the State Capital. “By joining with nearly 8,000 other corn growers, a membership gives you the strength in numbers to shape decisions at the state and federal level that affect your farm,” said Jim Gumpert, Iowa Corn’s Director of Grower Services. “As we make our way to 10,000 members by 2020 we will continue to ensure opportunities for a profitable future, but it takes each and every corn grower to do so.” Just as we are stronger together, Iowa Corn recognizes the strength of Iowa corn grower couples. In celebration of Iowa Corn’s 50th Anniversary in 2017, we launched a new special membership specifically for farm couples working alongside each other to feed and fuel our world. The special price for couples joining as three-year members is $200 or $100 per person for three years! This is a steal compared to our $60 single yearly membership.
For Cass County farmers Michelle and Curt Behrends, the couple’s membership provided the longtime corn farmers an opportunity to double their voice as a member. When the couple started purchasing farms together, it became a joint responsibility to become an Iowa Corn member with double the voice.
because they understand the importance of their voice. For a lot of women that didn’t come from a family farm like myself, you don’t always know the right information. I became more educated and confident by attending Iowa Corn events. I’ve been able to spread those agriculture facts at a local level with friends and family.”
“Knowing Iowa Corn represents us as corn growers and agriculturalist, I know they are there for my best interests,” Michelle said. “As farmers don’t have the time to go lobby and talk to our legislators and I think that’s one thing we as corn growers take for granted that Iowa Corn is able to do for us. From allowing our semis to get on the road with heavier weights during harvest, keeping water quality clean, to promoting ethanol the Iowa corn membership does it all for us.”
Iowa corn growers are truly stronger united together. We want to thank you for your membership and continued commitment investment in an effective organization. Support from ICGA members like yourself is critical to the continued success to the corn industry. To learn more about couple’s membership and how you can strengthen your voice as a member of Iowa Corn, visit iowacorn.org/membership.
Part of why the Behrends became members were to learn how to become advocates for their industry and do their part to grow Iowa Corn membership. Michelle believes her membership has empowered women to become involved in the farming operation and emphasized the importance of their grower memberships. “I think in today’s world, women are starting to see their voices heard,” Michelle said. “There are so many women in agriculture that are starting to speak up Roots • 2018 | 7
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Paving the ICGA Policy of 2018
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he Iowa Corn Growers Association works diligently to protect and defend our corn industry. Our policy development process is the key to ensure a bright future for generations to come and supporting sound policy development and pro-farmer legislation at the local, state and national levels is what the ICGA does best. It is important to remember that our process is entirely grassroots driven – meaning that it begins and ends with our members. You help determine the future of our organization. Our development process is broken down into three steps beginning with the member survey that we send out every year. We use this as an opportunity for our members to provide policy feedback and to help set the direction of our
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organization. We value your feedback and take great care in reviewing the comments that you send in. The second step would be our roundtable meetings that are held every summer across the state. We encourage all members to attend a roundtable and provide insight to Iowa Corn about what is happening on your farms. We use these regional roundtable meetings to discuss the how Iowa Corn can benefit your farm and hear the concerns of our members. Lastly, the culmination of our policy development process is the Annual Grassroots Summit. The 2018 summit was held on August 24-25 in Des Moines at the Community Choice Credit Union and Event Center. TED talk speaker and author, Adam Carroll kicked off the summit as a guest speaker inspiring
members to take an active role in their organizations. Iowa Corn Growers President, Curt Mether, and Iowa Corn Promotion Board President, Wayne Humphreys, welcomed delegates and guests to the summit before beginning development of the 2018 Iowa Corn policy session. Participants enjoyed taking part in a Friday afternoon club-small group discussions. Ten topics were available members could choose from: Social Media, FFA/Ag Education, Farm Bill, Soil Health, Research, Ethanol, Trade Promotion, Consumer Relations, River Transportation, and Livestock. Each panel had an industry professional to answer questions about these trending topics and discussed Iowa Corn’s involvement in these issues on behalf of our members.
Members enjoyed the evening I-LEAD graduation ceremony of 22 agriculture industry rising stars. Elyssa McFarland and Kale Petersen delivered a recap of the I-LEAD Class 8 experience and mission travels. Lt. Governor and I-LEAD Class 6 graduate Adam Gregg was in attendance congratulating the class and reassured the class the impact leadership programs have on their future. Members wrapped up the evening with another successful fundraising auction for the Iowa Corn Political Action Committee (PAC), raising voluntary funds to support political engagement activities for the PAC. We are grateful for each and every members’ generous PAC donations.
POLICY
The Local Leaders Awards Breakfast kicked off Saturday morning with an update from Iowa Corn Grassroots Network & Checkoff Committee Chair, Larry Buss, and the plan of reaching 10,000 members. Iowa’s Secretary of Agriculture, Mike Naig was in attendance welcoming and thanking members for participating in the policy development of their organization. While recognizing the efforts of many of our outstanding local leaders and their programming at the county and district level, we also presented 16 $1,000 scholarships to students studying an agricultural related program at an Iowa university or college.
Following President Curt Mether and President Wayne Humphrey’s presidential updates and goals for the upcoming year, members heard from National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) president, Kevin Skunes. Laila Down, former National FFA Officer inspired participants as the guest speaker to members on reaching the goal of 10,000 members. Two “Friend of Iowa Corn” awards were presented, at the start of the Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Luncheon, awarding leaders from outside the ICGA for being champions for the corn industry. Andrew Brandt, Agriculture Legislative Assistant to Senator
Chuck Grassley and Michael Dolch, Agriculture Legislative Assistant to Senator Joni Ernst were recognized for their support of ethanol, trade, and countless other corn farmers issues. The final award presented at the summit is the Walter Goeppinger Lifetime Achievement award, given to an Iowa Corn member who has showcased exemplary leadership skills and service throughout their time with Iowa Corn. This year, we had the honor of recognizing Gordon Wassenaar for his exceptional dedication and leadership in the agriculture industry.
at University of Iowa Athletic Director, Gary Bara and Iowa State University Athletic Director Jamie Pollard. We want to thank all our members who took the time out of their busy schedules to partake in the 2018 Annual Grassroots Summit. Your commitment and dedication does not go unnoticed.
The summit wrapped up with an update from our partners
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As your 2018-2019 Iowa Corn Promotion Board President, I want to thank you for investing in the promising future of the Iowa corn industry. Your checkoff dollars are your money at work investing in the crucial areas of market development, education and research. While each area is vastly different, developing and defending new markets for corn, researching new uses and educating our families and consumers on the importance of our products, have proven to be a success on the county and state levels. Your dollars are used for research and business development projects to increase opportunities that can create direct returns for you such as the newest research introduction of monoethylene glychol (MEG). We educate urban consumers and families on corn and corn products and establish an understanding of safe and enjoyable food and fuel grown right here in Iowa. Finding new markets and building current markets for corn usage allows additional paths for direct returns you as corn farmers can embrace for years to come. Every one of you and your contribution is a crucial asset to this organization. Without your invested checkoff funds, none of these successes would be made possible. By investing in these areas, you have made it possible for your children and grandchildren to carry on the legacy of Iowa corn farmers. Thank you for your commitment to the ICPB. Wayne Humphreys President, ICPB
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Tackling Pest Resistance in Iowa
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esistance is showing up in weeds, insects and disease pathogens in Iowa having the potential to affect yields, increase the cost of production, and limit farmers’ future pest management options. However, Iowa has taken the lead on this issue by creating and implementing the Iowa Pest Resistance Management Program (IPRMP). This Iowa-specific program works to address pests – including weeds, insects and plant diseases – that can adapt and become resistant to chemical, genetic and agronomic control practices. The IPRMP outlines ideas for effective, integrated management solutions that will sustainably manage pests. By developing diverse management methods, pest resistance can be delayed or even prevented, limiting its damaging spread. The IPRMP was developed with a broad cross-section of Iowa agricultural partners to address this important issue while remaining flexible enough to incorporate new information. The Iowa Corn Promotion Board (ICPB) has been engaged with the IPRMP since its
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creation and has provided checkoff funds to help support its necessary development. The program currently consists of four pilot projects across Iowa that are focuses on specific pest resistance issues including corn rootworm, soybean aphids and weeds. Larry Buss, Harrison County farmer and ICPB Director, has been involved since the program’s inception and is the Harrison County pilot project lead. “My interest and concern of pest resistance accelerated in the summer of 2013 when Palmer Amaranth was first discovered in Iowa and unfortunately in Harrison County,” Buss said. “With the arrival of the aggressive weed, I knew the entire agricultural community had to change its mindset to integrate pest resistance into all decisions relative to crop production.” Iowa’s farmers will play a leading role in pest resistance management (PRM) through their stewardship of pesticide management technologies and biotechnology traits and tools. Farmers make crucial management decisions each year Continues on next page
RESEARCH “We are engaging people from all aspects of farming to work together to address this issue including farmers, landowners, bankers, agronomists, crop consultants, academics and herbicide and seed companies.” —Larry Buss
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It is important that farmers know they are not alone in their effort to address resistance as a wide variety of experts and resources are available to help.
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on more than 23 million row-crop acres. Your proactive adoption of practices is necessary to delay the development of herbicide, insecticide, and fungicide resistance, protect crop traits and manage existing cases of resistance. In turn, it will help farmers remain competitive in the global market by maintaining the long-term productivity of Iowa agriculture while reducing pest-associated yield losses. “Pests don’t understand field boundaries, so we need to address this collaboratively with our neighbors,” Buss said. “We are engaging people from all aspects of farming to work together to address this issue including farmers, landowners,
bankers, agronomists, crop consultants, academics and herbicide and seed companies.” The Iowa program looks forward to engaging the ag community as a whole on the issue of PRM with the goal of keeping technology and tools – including pesticides for controlling weeds, insects, and disease, seed treatments, biotechnology products and native traits – available and effective. PRM will not work if only some farmers act — it will require a combined effort of the whole community. It is important that farmers know they are not alone in their effort to address resistance as a wide variety of experts and resources
Larry Buss, Harrison County farmer and ICPB Director, hosts a herbicide resistance field walk on June 18.
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are available to help. “The pilot projects incorporate the concept of adaptive management making changes as we move forward in the pilots to learn more of the pest resistance issues and what works and what does not,” Buss said. From the pilots, an overall program will be developed for the state that intends to include wide participation from all areas of Iowa agriculture in order to educate and prevent broad applications that could lead to resistance. To learn more about the IPRMP pilot projects and to get involved please visit protectiowacrops.org.
EDUCATION
Aspiring Iowa Ag Leaders Embark on Mission to Japan and Vietnam Members of the Iowa Corn Leadership Enhancement and Development (I-LEAD) program Class 8 traveled to Japan and Vietnam in March to gain greater insight of the global food system and U.S. agriculture’s international customers.
The international trade mission served as Class 8’s capstone event and wrapped up their two-year program. Iowa Corn created the I-LEAD program to mentor passionate ag advocates and to help secure leaders for the future of our state’s agriculture industry. “It was a once in a lifetime opportunity,” said TJ Page I-LEAD Class 8 member. “I would absolutely recommend it to anyone. I grew both personally and professionally from the experience. During the mission, we discovered how important agriculture is to each of these countries and what they import and export with the United States. We saw firsthand the work of U.S. Grains Council and the U.S. Meat Export Federation and how it translates back from the Iowa Corn Promotion Board’s investments.”
The Class 8 group began their journey in Vietnam with a briefing from a USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) representative about the importance of Vietnam to U.S. agriculture exports. Page said it’s clear Vietnam is a market ready to expand. “There is little access to cold storage, residents often buy food daily. There is also a huge market potential for U.S. ethanol. The sheer number of mopeds in South Vietnam was amazing. This mode of transportation causes up to 30 percent more emissions than a standard vehicle, and you see people wearing masks because of the air pollution. That’s a fantastic opportunity for cleanerburning ethanol.” The group toured the Interflour port to see where bulk ships of imported grains offload into Continues on next page Talking with Japanese consumers in the meat market, the Iowa visitors learned about their food preferences, preparation and appreciation for quality.
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Vietnam. Vietnam buys about 8 million metric tons of corn and 1.2 million metric tons of DDGS every year. The class also visited an ethanol plant outside of Ho Chi Min City. In 2007, Vietnam passed an E-5 ethanol mandate but has been in a trial period until 2018. “The mission provided class members the opportunity to meet with grain buyers and explore the region’s food, feed and fuel needs,” said Iowa Corn Growers Association Director and Bloomfield, Iowa, farmer Roger Wuthrich. “We gained insights about their ethanol industry and opportunities to increase ethanol blends.” Next, I-LEAD Class 8 traveled to Tokyo, Japan, which has
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the third largest GDP in the world, and a population of 130 million people. However, due to aging citizens, the population is expected to decrease to 90 million people by 2060. Japan also has a very open trade policy with trade agreements with many of America’s agricultural competing countries. The group explored the AEON supermarket to understand how corn and meat products are sold in stores. Page said Japan shoppers recognize U.S. products on the store shelves and will pay more for them due to their quality. Class 8 then traveled to Yamanashi Prefecture and had a courtesy call with the Vice Governor. Following a typhoon
that hit Japan in 1959, Iowa sent over hogs and corn to help the citizens of Yamanashi. The citizens, grateful for the aid, formed a sister-state relationship with Iowa which has lasted ever since. During the two-year I-LEAD program, Class 8 had the opportunity to develop leadership skills, communication and interpersonal skills, and network. In addition to the international mission, the group traveled to Washington D.C.
To learn more about the I-LEAD program or the I-LEAD mission visit iowacorn.org/ilead.
“It is estimated that by the year 2050, Vietnam’s population will increase by 40 million and currently 60 percent of family income in Vietnam goes to food,” Page said.
In Japan, the I-LEAD Class 8 poses for a photo with their hosts in Yamanashi Prefecture, the longest-running member of the Iowa Sister States relationship program.
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to learn about our political process during the NCGA Corn Congress and the Pacific Northwest (PNW) for a domestic ag tour where they learned about different kinds of production agriculture. Class 8 graduated from I-LEAD in August 2018 and Class 9 will start their journey in November 2018.
EDUCATION Platinum Sponsors ($7,500 or more )
Gold ($5,000 - $7,499)
Silver ($2,500 - $4,999)
Bronze ($250 - $2,499) CoBank, ABIS Crop Insurance, Adair County Corn and Soybean Association, Adair County Farm Bureau, Ag Partners, Almaco, BASF, Calhoun County Farm Bureau, Corn LP, Corporate Farmer Inc, Dave and Kim Sieck, EDF MAN, Farmers Elevator & Exchange, Gold Eagle Cooperative, Heartland Coop, INTL FCStone Financial, Iowa Institute for Coops, Iowa Renewable Fuels Association, John Deere, Kent Seed Sales, Kevin and Gayle Keiser, Key Cooperative, Land O’Lakes, Latham, Madden Ag Services, Palo Alto Country Farm Bureau, Sinclair Tractor, State Line Cooperative, Strategic Farm Marketing, Thrive Agronomics, Vision Ag
Partner Sponsors (up to $249) Daniel Sieck, First Cenetral State Bank, Go or Broke Production, Nick Burley
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Iowa Corn 300 Race Recap
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romoting ethanol to a worldwide audience, the 2018 running of the Iowa Corn 300 will be one for the record books. For 12 years, Iowa Corn has been privileged to partner with the Iowa Speedway and IndyCar to showcase the clean-burning, lower cost of ethanol to corn growers, race fans and consumers. On July 8, 2018, IndyCar driver James Hinchcliffe brought home his second win
at the Iowa Corn 300 taking the lead with just over 40 laps remaining. “The crowd is always great here,” Hinchcliffe said. “The support from the Iowa Corn has been there from day one, which is just awesome to see as somebody involved in the business side of the sport.”
The new pit row of corn display features fuel nozzles coming out of the stalks placed in the inner track and on the start/finish line of the Iowa Speedway track were highlights — these displays were placed to make the connection to the cornfields of Iowa to the ethanolpowered racing on the track.
This year’s race also included many unique aspects showcasing Iowa Corn farmers and the corn-based ethanol that fuels IndyCars.
Iowa Corn Promotion Board President Duane Aistrope launched the race with, “Drivers, start your Iowa corn ethanol powered
The Iowa Corn leadership team was on site for this year’s Iowa Corn 300 post-race celebrations with winner, James Hinchcliffe.
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MARKET DEVELOPMENT
engines,” while Iowa Corn Growers Association President Mark Recker waved the green flag. Aistrope and Recker presented Hinchcliffe with the Iowa Corn 300 trophy in victory lane. “Iowa Corn would like to congratulate James Hinchcliffe on his second win at the Iowa Corn 300,” Aistrope said. “This event offers race fans an upclose view of the power and performance of corn-made ethanol on the fastest short track on the planet! Iowa corn farmers work hard to raise their corn crop each year and Iowa Corn works hard on their behalf to expand the access to ethanol-blended fuel wherever you pull up to the pump. It’s a great way to remind consumers to fill up like the pros.” More than 1,500 members
and race fans heard from Iowa’s ethanol fighting leaders including Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, U.S. Congressman David Young, U.S. Congressman Dave Loebsack, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig and Iowa Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Julie Kenny. “I am so proud to be the governor of the No. 1 corn and ethanol producing state in the country and proud of our long tradition of feeding and fueling the world,” Gov. Reynolds said. “Iowa’s innovative farmers and our productive fields have proven that we can indeed do both. I’m proud of our Iowa farmers who work hard every single day and they are a big reason Iowa is the No. 1 state in the country.”
Iowa Corn distributed more than 1,000 water bottles to race fans at the speedway entrances, educating and advocating to consumers about how farmers care about the water we all share. Attendees also enjoyed a sweet corn feed which was hosted in partnership with Premier Chevrolet. More than 1,500 ears of sweet corn were distributed, giving farmers a chance to educate consumers on the differences of field corn versus sweet corn.
performance of ethanol, educate consumers on how farmers grow food & fuel and the thousands of products made from corn. “It was a tough decision made by both the Iowa Corn Promotion Board and the Iowa Corn Growers Association farmerleaders who felt it was time to explore new avenues to build new demand and uses for our corn crop,” explained Aistrope.
Iowa Corn has announced they will not renew their title sponsorship of the Iowa Corn 300 beginning in 2019 to focus on new corn demand opportunities. The Iowa Corn 300 is a great platform to showcase the power and
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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 IN A SUSTAINABLE MANNER TO MEET THE GLOBAL NEED FOR FOOD AND ENERGY. PUBLISHED SEPTEMBER 2018
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Iowa Corn | 5505 Northwest 88th Street | Johnston, Iowa 50131 | 515-225-9242 | corninfo@iowacorn.org