We hear great things across the state about this year’s harvest. Hopefully, you are having to drive your combine really slowly! As the new crop comes in, our minds focus on demand and profitability, and we feel it is important to update you on what the Kentucky Corn Promotion Council (investment arm) and Kentucky Corn Growers Association (grassroots advocacy program) are doing to help your farm’s bottom line.
Policy decisions, mostly in Washington, D.C., have an immense impact on your freedom to operate and many of our demand segments. You have probably already seen information about the Next Generation Fuels Act that was introduced in August. It would revolutionize the transportation fuels industry by creating an octane standard and measures to decarbonize liquid fuels. Since ethanol is, by far, the cheapest and cleanest octane enhancer, the bill will have huge implications on our largest user of corn. We also are engaged in WOTUS discussions, preparing to ensure that changes to that rule do not adversely affect you. Tax reform, particularly relating to stepped-up basis and the estate tax exemption thresholds are front in our minds, and in our grassroots activization programs.
We can never take our demand portfolio for granted. Not any portion of it. The KyCPC puts our checkoff dollars to work with trade promotion programs for grains, poultry, and livestock markets across the globe. Ninety-six percent of the world’s consumers living outside the United States. The future of American agriculture largely depends on our ability to sell to foreign markets, and we have robust programs in place to ensure that for corn, and corn products like ethanol, beef, poultry, and pork.
We feel the same concern as all corn farmers regarding skyrocketing input costs. The Council seeks to leverage checkoff dollars in that space, as well. Much of this work is conducted in partnership with UK Ag. Research funding from KyCPC is designed to help farmers fine-tune crop budgets and improve decision making for nitrogen rates and timings, disease risks, weed pressure, and more. We work with UK researchers yearlong to ensure the projects funded by our checkoff dollars are practical and meaningful for our bottom lines and focused on the problems that Kentucky growers face in their fields.
We strive to make sound checkoff investments and advance policy priorities to increase corn grind and improve your farm’s bottom line. We always want to engage you in this effort and to receive your input. You can contact our office at 800-326-0906.
May you have a safe and blessed harvest season.
Ray Allan Mackey
Chairman
KyCorn Promotion Council
Richard Preston
President
KyCorn Growers Association