Policy Dominates Discussion in Corn Congress at Commodity Classic

The 2017 Commodity Classic officially opened Wednesday, March 2, but corn farmers from Kansas and states across the nation were busy Tuesday with a National Corn Growers Association issues briefing and state caucuses. The first session of Corn Congress was underway Wednesday morning, Kansas Corn has six delegates representing the state at the Wednesday and Saturday sessions of Corn Congress, where NCGA policy is set

Representing Kansas as delegates are: KCGA President Ken McCauley, White Cloud; Dennis McNinch, Utica; Bob Timmons, Fredonia; Pat Ross, Lawrence, Mike Brzon, Courtland; Brian Baalman, Menlo, and alternate delegates Harvey Heier, Grainfield and Kent Moore, Iuka. The Commodity Classic is the national convention of corn, soybeans, grain sorghum and wheat. . In addition to the delegates, several Kansas corn growers are attending the Commodity Classic.

“This is an opportunity for us, as Kansas growers, to talk about issues like the upcoming 2018 Farm Bill, trade and ethanol and get perspective from growers of different crops from many states,” McCauley said. “It’s also a great opportunity for farmers to learn about new technologies at the many learning sessions and the trade show.”

Moore testified for KCGA at last week’s Senate Ag Committee hearing on the 2018 Farm Bill, hosted by Senate Ag Committee Chairman Pat Roberts and Ranking Member Debbie Stabenow.

Kansas Corn’s  priorities of maintaining and improving implementation of the Title 1 revenue protection programs, maintaining a strong crop insurance program and building the Market Access Program (MAP)  and Foreign Market Development (FMD) trade programs align with those held by NCGA.

The final session of Corn Congress will take place Saturday afternoon as the Commodity Classic draws to a close.